A hygiene warning has been issued for those renting Airbnbs for their Spring Break trips.
Kouka Webb, a fashion model and online personality, shared a clip of her severely irritated skin after she went in a hot tub at a rental property during vacation.
In the clip, captioned: ‘POV you went in an Airbnb hot tub,’ Webb revealed a startling amount of tiny red bumps along both sides of her body.
Justin Spracklin, a skincare expert, then shared her video and warned travelers about the infectious waters.
‘Although I used to have a hot tub, and it was well maintained, this is not a place that you’ll ever see me dipping my body into,’ Spracklin said.
‘Hot tubs are notorious for being breeding grounds for bacteria because they are the perfect ideal conditions for them to thrive.’
Online users quickly flocked to comment on the video, with many left terrified after seeing Webb’s skin reaction.
‘I’m terrified of airbnbs,’ one wrote, while another said: ‘Avoid Airbnb’s.’
‘Got it I will never go into a hot tub again lol,’ someone else said.
Kouka Webb, a fashion model and online personality, shared a clip of her irritated skin after she went in a hot tub at a rental during vacation
‘Hot tubs are notorious for being breeding grounds for bacteria because they are the perfect ideal conditions for them to thrive,’ Justin Spracklin, a skincare expert, said while reviewing the clip of Webb. (Pictured: File photo)
Others shared similar experiences of their own, as one person said: ‘Happened to me! At a nice spot. In Palm Springs.’
‘I got hives after I went on a cruise hot tub. Lasted for two weeks,’ wrote another.
When hot tubs aren’t cleaned properly, ‘their moist environment is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria,’ according to WebMD.
One specific bacteria, Pseudomonas, thrives in the warm water and is known to cause skin and hair follicle infections – similar to what Webb experienced.
‘These bumps can pop up anywhere from a few hours to a few days after you take a dip,’ WebMD continued, adding that the same bacteria is also known to cause swimmer’s ear.
Hot tubs are also breeding grounds for illnesses, including diarrhea and GI infections, which are caused by Cryptosporidium – a parasite.
Swimmers can also contract severe cases of pneumonia and even lung disease from the bacteria Legionella, also known as Legionnaires’ Disease.
Between 2015-2019, 3,646 cases of illnesses, 286 hospitalizations and 13 deaths were reported across 36 states due to outbreaks brought on by treated pools and hot tubs, WebMD said.
One specific bacteria, Pseudomonas, thrives in the warm water, and is known to cause skin and hair follicle infections – similar to what Webb (pictured) experienced
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently warned travelers staying at vacation rentals of the risks hot tubs bring. (Pictured: A crowd of Spring breakers in Miami)
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently warned travelers of hot tubs, specifically those at vacation rentals.
‘Hot tub users are at risk for these illnesses if they swallow, have contact with, or breathe in mists or aerosols from water contaminated with germs,’ the CDC said in January.
The agency also gave renters a list of tasks to go over before getting in a hot tub at a rental property.
According to the CDC, the temperature should be no higher than 104F (40C) and chlorine levels should read at least three parts per million (ppm).
If the ppm is higher than 10, renters should refrain from getting in and inform the property owner or hot tub operator, the agency said.
Bromine, which helps disinfect hot tubs, should also read between four-eight ppm, while the pH should be between 7.0-7.8. If either are out of range, an owner should be notified.
‘A properly chlorinated hot tub has little odor. A strong chemical smell indicates a problem,’ the CDC continued.
In January 2024, a deadly hot tub bacteria outbreak plagued New Hampshire, leaving one dead and another hospitalized.
The patients fell ill with Legionnaires’ disease and suffered severe pneumonia after staying at the $200-per-night Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa in the state’s north.
When hot tubs aren’t cleaned properly, ‘their moist environment is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria,’ according to WebMD
Both had taken a dip in the hot tub, one as late as the month prior, with swabs confirming its waters were contaminated with the bacteria behind the disease.
Officials say the hot tub was the likely source of the outbreak. It was drained and closed following the incidents.
Meanwhile, in August 2023, two patrons of a northern California day spa died from Legionnaries’ disease.
Officials believe the deadly bacteria was lurking in the Zen Day Spa in Richmond – an amenity the location was not allowed to have in the first place.
The Contra Costa County officials also learned of a third person who became sick with the bacterial infection after visiting the bay area spa. The person has since recovered.
Legionnaires disease is not always fatal – it is estimated to kill around 10 percent of patients – but older people and people in poor health are especially susceptible especially if they do not start an antibiotic medicine regimen early.
The disease, caused by the Legionella bacteria, is a lung infection contracted by inhaling droplets of water from things like air conditioning units, spa pools, hot tubs and infrequently used taps, according to the NHS.
