European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - February 14, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Daily Magazine soaking in a hot tub May feel Good but the edit cts May not. Infections and other health problems can result from improper use at care. Of tubs Are they really so hot by Jane e. Brody new York times whirlpools hot tubs saunas steam rooms they re popping up in hotels health clubs and Homes All Over the Umed Stales Tho heal eels so Good especially when you Are chilled to Tho Bone or aching in every muscle and joint. After the size log Wales of hot air. You eel Mellow and for the moment at least. Free of physical and psychic pain you May also emerge with More than you bargained Lor. As these Baths and their users proliferate doctors Are seeing More and More patients with infections and other health problems resulting irom their improper use or care under the Best of circumstances hot tuba and Whirlpool spas May be subject to bacterial contamination that can cause a Tissl of minor to life threatening ailments. Before Selling Loo in one of these Baths or installing one in your Home Here Are some lacks and concerns world knowing the claims Lor these Baths air Many but the scientifically established benefits Are Tew. There is no question that lolling to a Sauna steam room Whirlpool or hut tub can help sweat away or Wash away the cares and cold of Ifie Day after 10 or 15 minutes most people emerge Toelg quite relaxed. Since relaxation is associated with Relief of pain. They Roay also experience a Tempo Ary diminution of physical discomforts the heat May also temporarily relieve congestion or breathing passages of sinuses a steam room which resembles a giant Vaporizer can relieve coughs or other lower respiratory symptoms sweating will open pores and help eliminate dead skin cells Oil and dirt but sweating does not cleanse inc body of toxins As some claim nor does it produce Beautiful skin just temporarily cleaner skin actually the dry heat of Ifie Sauna and the wafer temperature of a hot tub can seriously harm dry skin washing away protective oils dehydrating tissues and leaving skin Flaky and itchy. Skin May seem to glow Atler a Sauna Bath by this is merely the temporary result of blood Lushing to the surface to help Cool the body there is no lasting Benefit to appearance or skin Lone. For those with acne or oily Shin the heat May stimulate Oil production worsening the condition. The High tempera lures of Ifie Sauna Lyp Cally hovering around 200 degrees fahrenheit Are dangerous for some. Saunas Are generally not advised for pregnant women for people with heart disease High or very Low blood pressure epilepsy or for those taking such medications As Ranqui hers. Antibiotics stimulants narcotics of drugs of dec ing mood or blood pressure people in any of these categories should chech with a physician before entering any such overheated environment. The hot air and hot water Baths can to hazardous even for those who Are perfectly healthy a syndrome called Sauna bather s King has been cropping up. It results when the Waler poured Over the hot rocks has stood around Long enough to become contaminated Wilh microorganisms. An allergic lung disorder  pneumonia is can result from breathing the contaminated air. Symptoms May include fever chills cough wheezing fatigue and weight loss starting about four to eight hours a or the slay in the Sauna. To avoid the problem the Sauna s Waler bucket should to washed daily. Far More common Are infections caused by contaminated hot tubs and Whirlpool spas. The heal encourages Bac Lonal growth and although the water or surroundings May smell strongly of chlorine ii is hard to maintain bactericidal Levels of dissolved chlorine Gas in hoi water. On testing. The Bath May be found to contain High Levels of chlorine but most of it May be in a form that has Little effect on contaminating organisms. Thamos common such disease causing contaminant is Pseud Monas Peru Gingosa. A Bacle num that thrives in a warm wet environment rendered highly organic by the debris from people s bodies. The superficial showers most people Lake before entering a hot Lub Are not adequate to reduce he risk of con lamination. Peru Gingosa typically invades hair follicles on the skin causing an inflection Lolli Cullis. Eight hours to several Days Atler exposure symptoms include itchy red bumps Hal May become pus filled and abscessed sore Throat sore eyes chills fever nausea and cramps. Antibiotics Are unnecessary and steroid creams make the rash worse the rash typically disappears without treatment in seven to 10 day5, according Lodr Alan r Silverman. A Pittsburgh dermatologist. The same organism was also found to tie 1he cause of pneumonia in a healthy 47-year-old Man who sat Immo ised for 90 minutes in his Home Whirlpool spa breathing contaminated air while watching television saturday february 14, 1987 the stars and stripes Page 13