Hydroids and Bahama diving

[Jay-M-G]

Several years ago my wife had a severe reaction while diving in the Bahamas in late May. She was told the problem was "hydroids". The reaction consisted of red areas of her skin a little bigger than mosquitto bites, that were extremely itchy. Several other divers on the trip, but not all, also had the same problem so we know it was something in the water that people are allergic to.

We are planning to return to the Bahamas in July. Does anyone know when the organism that causes "hydroids" is present in the water in the area of the Bahamas?

Also, does anyone know if using an antihistamine before the dive will prevent the problem?

Thanks.

 

[archman]

Everything you wrote matches perfectly for encountering a swarm of larval thimble jellies. They're quite nasty in late May. If you go back in July, it's more than likely you won't get a recurrence. The larva have all grown up into relatively harmless adults by then.

 

[ScubaDadMiami]

You can run a search (I am guessing on the DAN web site) for "Sea Bather's Eruption" also known as sea lice. Worst period is usually late Spring but can go during the Summer as well easily.

 

[gert7to3]

Your wife might want to consider a full coverage skinsuit and a thin hood.

The dive center at your destination could probably give you advice about the seasonality of these things.

 

[zboss]

Hydroids will often grow all over the mooring lines. They will "sting" you but you usually don't feel them for a couple of minutes. I even get stunk through my gloves. As gert7to3 pointed out - make sure she wears a full 1 mill suit and gloves.

When doing your safety stop avoid dragging your hands across any kind of fluffy looking material on the line (those are the hydroids) as this will cause them to go water-borne.