Let's play: What was I stung by? :)

[Rabbitine]

Hello diving friends!

Last year I was diving in Hawaii and was stung by something during my dive. My best guess was some type of fire coral, but my symptoms didn't exactly match up with what I read about fire coral stings.

I don't remember brushing up against anything during my dive, and I didn't even notice the sting until the next morning when I woke up to a rash on my arm. It was never painful but started itching intensely by that afternoon. The itch + raised sometimes weeping blisters (eww) remained present for several weeks afterward. I still have discolored spots (scars?) all over my forearm a year later!!

Attached is a picture of it several days after the sting.

Any guesses as to what it might have been?

 

[Saturation]

It looks like a jelly fish sting, or similar animal. Many small JF are transparent and very difficult to see, you could have touch its arms while in water. Typically the area would feel a stinging sensation initially, then go away within the hour, but a rash won't be visible until more hours later. If you catch it early enough, it can be treated with vinegar, and it prevents worsening the reaction you have pictured.

While the stinger leaves a visible reaction, if the stinger isn't destroyed it could react with your body's immune system, making the rash more prominent and may take more time to resolve.

 

[Rabbitine]

Thanks for the quick reply! It is possible that I didn't see a jelly but the only thing that perplexes me is that it didn't sting or hurt at all. As I said, I didn't even notice it was there until I SAW the red rash the next day. Next time though, I will not wear a short sleeved suit!

 

[joe8mofo]

Your description of weeping blisters and the photo look nothing like a jellyfish sting. It looks like you came in contact with poison ivy and had somewhat of an allergic response to it. I am very allergic to poison ivy and end up getting it a couple of times a year, it's a real inconvenience.

 

[Troutmaster]

Sure looks like a jellyfish sting to me, sometimes a small jelly or even a tenicle that has broken off can get you. I had a sting once that I never noticed until after the dive (also on the back of my arm, not really sensitive area). Had one on my neck once and I thought I had been stung by a bee in 112ft of sea water.

 

[Rabbitine]

Sure looks like a jellyfish sting to me, sometimes a small jelly or even a tenicle that has broken off can get you. I had a sting once that I never noticed until after the dive (also on the back of my arm, not really sensitive area). Had one on my neck once and I thought I had been stung by a bee in 112ft of sea water.

Gotta watch out for those under-sea bees! They'll get you when you least expect it!

 

[DocVikingo]

Your description of weeping blisters and the photo look nothing like a jellyfish sting. It looks like you came in contact with poison ivy and had somewhat of an allergic response to it.

Hi Joe,

I have to agree with you this rash looks more like a contact dermatitis caused by poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac or the like than any jellyfish sting I've observed.

The absence of any discomfort whatsoever at the time of contact also is somewhat inconsistent with a jellyfish run in.

But, it appears it may remain a mystery.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[cutlass]

You dove Oahu? Check your dive log and moonphase calender. At about 8-10 days after the full moon, there is a regular influx of box jellies, typically to the populous southern shores but sometimes appearing elsewhere; the neighbor islands don't seem to have the large problem that Oahu does. This timing is so predictable that you should plan your nearshore water time around them. These jellies don't pack the wallop like the ones from Oz but can still be quite dangerous if you're sensitive. box jellies

Do you react to poison ivy? Mango trees are very common in residential areas and the sap contains the same irritant. AFAIK there are no nettle-type plants in Hawaii -- yet....

 

[Rabbitine]

I will check and see if it was after the full moon. I've never come in contact with poison ivy before so I'm not sure how I would react. It's a possibility. However I don't think I came in contact with any plants that day except for grass. I guess it will remain a mystery!

 

[Becca_007]

I am highly allergic to poison ivy. You don't have to come in contact with the plant to get it as it's oil will remain on objects, cloths, pets, etc. Poison ivy typically shows up in lines but can be random bumps too (at least on me).