Help..........itchy

[kokanee001]

Help.............itchy. I've had my tub for awhile now and was enjoying it immensely. However. suddenly I have developed an itchy rash. I've always used bromine, and no problem, but can a person develop an allergic reaction to it?  
Hate to switch to chlorine as I have heard that sanitizing w/bromine is easier. Besides, whenever I used to swim in the municipal pool, which used chlorine, I was always itchy after the swim. At least with my spa, the bromine has been fine until now.

Any help or advice would be appreciated..........

[D.P. Roberts]

Yes, some people are allergic to bromine. That's the big tradeoff - Bromine is easier to use, but you might get a reaction to it. And the "itchiness" of a swimming pool is not actually the useful "free" chlorine, but the chloramines that build up over time. If you change your hot tub water regularly you probably won't notice much of a chlorine smell.

[hottubdan]

1)  How old is the water?
2)  What is the pH?

Usually what people think are reactions to chlorine or bromine are reactions to other things.

[kokanee001]

Thx for the replies.

The water will be 4 mos at end of Oct. Not sure about the ph.......might be a tad low

[kokanee001]

I have used my tub every day for past almost 4 mos. If I was allergic to the bromine. would it have shown up sooner?

[Vinny]

Dump, refill and keep an eye on the PH. Then see how it goes.

[hottubdan]

Dump, refill and keep an eye on the PH. Then see how it goes.

Agreed.  When water is 2-4 months old or older, dumping is always the easiest and usually the best solution to issues.

[kokanee001]

Okay, I'll go with what you recommend. I'll dump the water today, refill, retreat and REALLY watch the ph more carefully. But I think I'll avoid the water for a few days till my rash is more gone.