Hot Tubs/Spas and Diabetes: What You Need to Know
If you have diabetes, talk to your doctor before using a hot tub. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission advises anyone with diabetes to get a physician's advice first.
Why check with your doctor first
Hot tub water above normal body temperature can cause drowsiness, which may lead to unconsciousness and drowning. That is why the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) advises people with diabetes, heart disease, circulatory problems, or blood pressure problems to get their physician's advice before using a hot tub.
Diabetes can also cause nerve damage that reduces feeling in your feet. NIH foot care guidance for people with diabetes advises washing your feet in warm, not hot, water, testing the water first to make sure it isn't too hot, and not soaking your feet.
If your doctor says it's okay
Follow your doctor's advice first. The CPSC's safety rules for hot tubs also apply:
- Never let the water go above 104°F. The CPSC considers 100°F safe for a healthy adult, and your doctor may recommend a lower temperature.
- Check the water with an accurate thermometer before you get in. Hot tub thermostats can be off by as much as four degrees.
- Don't drink alcohol before or while using the hot tub. It raises the risk of drowsiness and drowning.
- Don't use the hot tub if you take medication that causes drowsiness.
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