Since about 2000 some people have reported suffering a skin irritation for a couple of days after visiting Deep Creek Hot Springs and soaking for a prolonged amount of time in the hot pools. It appears to be some sort of allergic reaction that affects some people more than others and occurs most frequently during the winter months. Many of hot springs regulars have never got it. Those that have, report that it occurred after soaking more than three hours in the Womb (the largest pool). So far we are unaware of any cases where the rash occurred in the other pools or were the soaker stayed in the water for less time. We think that this problem is more frequent in winter as visitors will stay longer in the hot pools than in summer months.

There has been quite a bit of speculation about the cause. One of the strongest is that it has to do with the PH of the water. It appears to be quite alkaline. One of our members took down a dilute solution of lemon juice and after soaking and crossing the creek she used it to wash down her body. The rash did not affect her that time while it had on her previous two visits. So far most reports of this rash is that it appears the night or day after they visited the springs and only last for a couple of days. The main problem is that it is quite itchy while it lasts. However, those people that have got the rash in the past, continue to come to the springs but try to stay in the hot pools less time.

Since the winter storms that came through in January of 2005 there have been no more reports of the rash and people that had suffered it in the past appear to be OK, so our hope is that the recent floods and increased hot water flows have washed out this problem for good. We will post if any more problems are reported.