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

[cutlass]

Several years ago, again on Oahu, there was a "rash" of nearly microscopic hydromedusae stings. Apparently it's not uncommon. Ke'ehi Lagoon It also seems that more than simple contact is needed to fire the stinging cells; e.g. mechanical pressure from towelling or rubbing from a bathing suit. Itching is a hallmark reaction and can last for quite awhile, weeks even.

 

[Rabbitine]

Hmm according to google, poison ivy and poison oak do not exist on Oahu.

 

[cutlass]

Hmm according to google, poison ivy and poison oak do not exist on Oahu.

But again, mango sap contains the same irritant and those trees are everywhere. As for nettles and poison ivy and oak, they're not there yet. Introduced species is a huge problem there and recent state budget cuts to watchdog agencies have taken the issue to almost alarming levels.

 

[DocVikingo]

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....

Hi Cutlass,

Good point about the reported distribution of poison ivy/oak/sumac.

However, my "or the like" would include Brazilian black peppertree (all over the place in HI and a regular pest); the leaves, stems & rinds of mango trees (HI has many varieties and they’re quite common); fruit of the Ginkgo balboa (rare on HI, but there); items made from cashew nut shell (there are more than you might suspect); lantana plants (common in HI), among others, can cause contact dermatidities that look and feel much like poison ivy/oak/sumac. And let’s not forget phytophotodermatidies like “margarita dermatitis” (e.g., lime juice and sunlight) of which I've seen at least three cases.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[cutlass]

IIRC, there's also the "Kahili flower" (Grevillea banksii) ornamental that has gone wild and is known for contact dermatitis. Once while busting bush on a hike on Oahu, I got zapped by something like a cactus golchid (fine bristle-like needles). Didn't realize it until the hike was done; it took a magnifying glass and good light to see the needles. Adhesive tape helped get most of it out.

 

[smellzlikefish]

No poison ivy or sumac in Hawaii. Nor do we have fire corals. We do have man-o-wars and that don't necessarily hurt on contact. I've been hit a few times, and the worst part is a couple days later when the itching starts. There are also any number of medusa larvae from cnidarians and stinging organisms that cover and float everywhere.

 

[Wisnu]

Seem similar as my daughter, but she's worst, stung by stinging hydroid couple years ago. Here's after a week,
http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/data/500/medium/mayang_hand.jpg

 

[DocVikingo]

We do have man-o-wars and that don't necessarily hurt on contact. I've been hit a few times, and the worst part is a couple days later when the itching starts.

Hi smellzlikefish,

Yes, it does seem that the itching from Man-of-War and certain jellyfish envenomations may be delayed for a couple of days and sometimes as long as 4.

The absence of pain upon contact is a new one to me. I was under the impression that the onset of pain was rapid and often intense. Are you certain the critter involved in your stings were MOWs?

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[smellzlikefish]

Yes. Recently I was towboarding and got hit on the face. The initial pain was present, but I wouldn't use the terms intense or excruciating. Had I been hit on the arm, I might not have really noticed.

 

[Rabbitine]

I really feel that it was from my dive and not plant-related just based on the events of that day. It's hard to tell though, because I don't have anything to compare it to. I've never had a reaction to any plant (poison ivy,oak, mango tree etc...) and I've never been stung by a cniderian before either.

Wisnu, my arm looked a lot like your daughter's after about day 4.