I know most the dive related health risks, but ....

[brutus_scuba]

Is there a possibility that I have something that is often not discussed? Does Neoprene hold infections like ring worm or other similar things? I dove in a new location a week and a half ago, in a lake where people report swimmers itch and other skin infections from duck poop. I rinsed my wet suit and hung it up for a week and a half and after diving it yesterday have some serious infections that look like very very large spider bits on my side. Is it possible the bacteria or infection or whatever was living in my wetsuit (which was still a lil' damp when I put it on yesterday.

Any doctors who might be aware of such things have any advice?

 

[String]

Fresh water can contain lots of bacteria and germs. Try washing the suit in dilute milton (baby sterilising fluid) or something next time. If its stored damp it can really fester in the space of a week.

...or just buy a drysuit

 

[Captain Morgan]

Your wetsuit can very well be a haven for bacteria, especially considering a week and a half and your wetsuit still being damp before you used it again from that trip. I mean that's not uncommon. Now I'm no doctor so I can't add anything as far as the infection goes, but that neoprene is like a sponge in your kitchen sink. You should definitely give it a thorough hand cleansing with some mild detergent...or some of that special shampoo specifically designed for cleaning them.

 

[chrispete]

It shouldn't take a wetsuit a week and a half to dry out. If you are diving a two piece suit try separating the pieces and hanging them in an area that will get sun and has moving air. A wet wetsuit is a perfect place for critters/mold/mildew to flourish.

 

[vladimir]

Any doctors who might be aware of such things have any advice?

If you want a doctor's opinion you'd probably be better off in the Diving Medicine Forum:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/diving-medicine/

I once got impetigo from a quarry dive in a rented neoprene hood; kind of disgusting.

 

[fisherdvm]

The sun is a great antimould antibacterial product. I like to turn my suit inside out, and dry both side well in the sun. If possible.

A good antifungal shampoo is good for the wetsuit. Nizoral (ketaconazole) shampoo is expensive, but worthwhile to clean your suit with. The surface of many suit is water resistant, so you need a shampoo or soap to break the surface tension to clean it out well.

At minimum, I'd use a soap or shampoo on my suit at the end of the day, hang it up to dry. Then turn it inside out so the out side can dry too.

 

[fisherdvm]

I think more of a concern with wetsuit is fit. If you are wearing swimming trunk inside the suit, the bunched up fabric can abrade the wet macerated skin, and allow bacteria to enter.

I am doubtful if the bacteria is from your suit, but it certainly can grow if your suit is left wet in a corner every day for a full week of diving.

The common place for bacteria to colonize in the body is the groin, genital, and perianal area. Water enter the suit and disperses these bacteria. Add friction, maceration, and the skin becomes abraded. This allow the bacteria to enter the pores or hair follicles - growing acne like boils and skin infections.

 

[nwhitney2003]

Disgusting posts yet delightfully informing.

 

[String]

Not all countries have the option of using the sun to dry suits. My gear stays wet for 1-2 weeks hanging in the shed at times.

 

[Gombessa]

There was indeed a post a month ago or so about how a rental/borrowed wetsuit gave someone a case of ringworm. I'd be wary.