Bromine Allergy

[JDubya]

I just recently determined that my 10yo is allergic to bromine.  He has an awful rash that has covered his body from the neck down.  We figured it out after sanitizing the house and specifically his room, purchacing new linens and quaratining the poor dog.  Then it dawned on us after we figured out the doctor had no clue and that the only thing that changed was the addition of bromine in the tub.  He swims in pools al the time without a problem.  While I have heard of minor rashs my son got a severe rash which made us think it was something else. 

My son loves the hot tub and we probably inadvertantly compounded his rash by letting him use the tub several times after the initial breakout until we figured it out.  Also, in our case the water did not burn him while he was in it.  We also mistakenly thought that the tub might have been helping his skin sense he was not in any discomfort while in the tub.  After the rash broke out he did complain of itching but but not much. 

We are switching back to chlorine only.  I will try and attach pictures of my sons rash.   

Q: Does anyone know how long the rash will last and any possible treatments?

Thanks, JW

[Spoiledrotten]

Did you check the levels of bromine in your spa? Hi levels of bromine (which can be easily accomplished in a small body of water like a hot tub, can irritate the lungs, causing an adverse reaction on the body in the form of rashes, bruising, and other visible signs. I'm sorry your 10 yo is experiencing so much discomfort and hope you get this resolved soon.

[JDubya]

Thanks for the concern.  He has been a real trooper and it doesnt seem to bother him that much.  Kids simply don't dwell on stuff like we adults do. Me, the wife and daughter were unaffected.  But to be safe we are going with chlorine only.

BTW we love our hot tub which is a 2011 Tropic Seas Spa, Rio 751L (Artesian Spa).   

[JDubya]

Here is the link to the photos of my son's rash and my hot tub.

http://s891.photobucket.com/user/djohnwright/library/Bromine%20rash%20from%20hot%20tub

[chem geek]

Were you using bromine tabs, such as in a floating feeder?  Bromine tabs contain DMH and that is a known irritant for some people.  See the following sources for more information:

http://www.postermedic.com/parcdesalutmar/postimas105237/pdfbaja/postimas105237.pdf
http://occmed.oxfordjournals.org/content/48/7/461.full.pdf
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22420388