• Benefits of natural hot springs' thermal mineral-rich water have been medically proven
• However, there are certain risks and side effects to be aware of
The furthest thing in the mind of a hot springs visitor is those hot springs’ risks and side effects.
The benefits of natural hot springs' mineral-rich water have been medically proven. Hot water helps balance and rejuvenate our body and mind. It helps alleviate joint and muscle problems, lower blood pressure, boost metabolism, relieve stress, cure insomnia, and reduce depression and anxiety. In addition, minerals such as sulfur, silica, and others are linked to curing some skin conditions, including psoriasis, acne, and eczema.
However, few truly beneficial things on this planet come free of risks and possible side effects, and hot springs are no exception.
We list some of the major ones below.
High Temperatures
It is a known fact that hot springs can range from mildly warm to extremely hot. A burn may occur at 110°F (43°C) if you stay in the hot water for a long time. At 118°F (48°C), human skin can sustain first-degree burns. Exposure to a temperature above 130°F (54°C) can be enough to cause second or even third-degree burns. At temperatures above 158°F (70°C), full-thickness tissue (epidermis and dermis) is destroyed almost instantaneously.
The optimal temperature of a hot bath for healthy adults ranges from 99°F (37°C) to 105°F (41°C). However, if the water is too hot for you or you have health issues, decrease the duration of your bathing. Prolonged soaking may lead to hyperthermia (high body temperature) and put you at significant risk for heatstroke, which can occur when the body temperature goes above 104°F (40°C). Heatstroke can cause damage to your brain and other organs.
Before entering wild hot springs, use a thermometer to measure the water temperature. Due to specific geological features in some hot springs, their temperature can go from warm to scalding in a matter of
seconds. Be careful if the springs are undeveloped and unknown to you. Use common sense and exercise your best judgment to make the right decision.
Sulfur
Sulfur occurs naturally on Earth and escapes in the form of gas with the smell of "rotten eggs." Additionally, sulfur exits in the form of sulfates in the hot springs water and hydrogen sulfide that evaporates, giving off the distinctive sulfur odor.
Although sulfur water provides many therapeutic and healing benefits, it can trigger an allergic reaction in some people. Talk with your healthcare provider about the risks. Do not postpone visiting your doctor if you have signs of sulfur allergy.
Hydrogen sulfide is a toxic gas that can be fatal in high concentrations. It may lead to the blocking of cellular respiratory enzymes, thus causing cell anoxia and cell damage. Do not bathe in unknown wild hot springs, particularly if they have a strong smell of "rotten eggs.”
Hot Spring Microorganisms
Hot Springs Red Spider Mites
Barely perceptible to the naked eye, those spiders are a real risk. They usually hang around hot springs, as well as on their surface. These spiders look for new places to lay their eggs and often end up on clothes, towels, and other personal belongings. As long as they are next to your skin, you will likely get bitten.
Fortunately, a healthy adult's immune system should be able to neutralize the mild toxins that spiders inject. However, the painful itches may last for weeks, made bigger and more painful by scratching. The best approach here is to leave your belongings far away from the ground and apply anti-itch cream as soon as you leave the water.
Hot Springs Bacteria
Another hot spring risk you should be aware of are disease-causing bacteria. Untreated hot springs contain microorganisms that can cause infection, skin rash, and gastrointestinal illness.
Thermotolerant enteric bacteria such as Escherichia coli or Enterococci can survive at temperatures ranging from 113 to 140°F (45-60°C). While Legionella pneumophila, a cause of Legionnaires' disease, grows in water at temperatures between 77°F and 113°F (25-45°C).
Avoid hot springs if you have deep cuts and wounds, as they can get infected.
Hot Springs Amoebae
A microscopic organism, Amoeba Naegleria fowleri, can survive at temperatures as high as the human body can withstand - up to 113°F (45°C). This type of amoeba enters the human body through the nasal cavity during swimming or diving. Rarely but it still can attack your brain tissue. That is how it earned the name of a Brain-Eating Amoeba. The result is Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), aka Naegleriasis, which is a potentially lethal brain infection. People do not tend to get infected by drinking contaminated water, though.
Naegleria is found in hot springs, warm lakes and rivers, poorly maintained swimming pools and spas, soil, mud, indoor dust, aquariums, and tap water. This amoeba can survive in saltwater too. While this amoeba is commonly found worldwide, cases of infection are rare. Limited studies suggest that some people do not develop PAM, while others do. About 80% of the U.S. PAM cases are in males, and over 60% are in children aged 13 or younger.
Zero to eight annually detected Naegleriasis cases are associated with water exposure, typically from July to September.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), among 34 PAM cases reported between 2010 and 2019, 30 patients had recreational water exposure, and three were infected through nasal irrigation using contaminated tap water.
About 80% of PAM cases are in males and over 60% are children age 13 or younger.
Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis Prevention
- Do not lower your head into hot spring water
- Don't swim in or jump into warm freshwater lakes or rivers
- Hold your nose shut or use nose clips when jumping or diving into warm bodies or swimming pools
- Avoid disturbing the sediment while swimming in warm shallow freshwater
- Do not use untreated tap water in a neti pot to flush your sinuses or nose.
Cardiovascular Health
One of the most lauded benefits of hot springs and spa treatment is the prevention of various cardiovascular diseases. But wait - paradox incoming! It is also proven that cardiac arrests happen more often in hot springs and hot baths. Likely, even more often than actually reported.
Indeed, high temperature can lower blood pressure. A sudden temperature increase, however, causes a drastic drop in blood pressure that, in turn, shocks the body and stresses the heart causing dizziness, fainting, and even cardiac arrest.
Gradual temperature change, though, has the opposite effect that improves cardiovascular function.
So, what precautions could you take? It may be as simple as giving your body ample time to adjust to the temperature. Start by dipping your legs first before gradually submerging the rest of your body in the hot springs. Take breaks after each 10-15 minutes of soaking to let your body return to its normal temperature.
Do not rush. Take your time. The whole point of hot springs is quiet relaxation in an environment where you do not have to be constantly on the run. Savor it.
People with heart conditions should seek medical advice before entering hot tubs or hot springs.
Pregnancy and Hot Springs
It is not safe to soak in hot water during pregnancy. Hot water can raise body temperature to 102°F (38.9°C) in just 10 minutes and trigger hyperthermia. Some studies reported that hyperthermia during the first four to six weeks of pregnancy increases the baby’s the risk of neural tube defects (brain and spinal cord damage). Miscarriage is another risk. Also, a few studies suggest an increased risk of other birth defects such as a heart defect, abdominal wall defect, or oral cleft.
Disclaimer
This content provides general educational information only. It has NO intention, direct or indirect, to serve as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do NOT make and have NO intention to make any medical claims. Always consult your healthcare provider for more information.
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