Sea Lice Prevention

[ronski101]

Just got back from Cozumel where my wife got numerous pimple like bumps on her upper lip under mask seal and on the side of the back of one hand. We think it is sea lice stings and were wondering if sun tan lotion would help to prevent future occurences. We heard of a product out there specifically for sea lice but would prefer to use our usual sunscreen.

 

[vladimir]

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=18954&highlight=sea+lice

http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/AQUSSJF.html

 

[DocVikingo]

Vlad the Impailer has said it all.

 

[fisherdvm]

I would wonder about herpes simplex. Occasionally, with sun exposure, folks get herpetic lesions on the tip of the nose or nostrils, and not the typical upper edge of the lip.

Second possibility is either simple acne, or bacterial folliculitis. If the mask does not fit well, or moves a bit, abrasion and follicle occlusion can give rise to pus filled small bumps...

I am not sold on sea lice in either sites...

 

[Speargirl]

I think she swam into some jelly fish and it left small blisters on her lips and face. We have vinagar and water on our boat, and if we happen to swim into some we spray the area and it takes away the burn and sting right away. If she is still having problems she should try neosporin with pain relief. If it is infected she needs to see her Doctor.

 

[O2BBubbleFree]

I would wonder about herpes simplex. Occasionally, with sun exposure, folks get herpetic lesions on the tip of the nose or nostrils, and not the typical upper edge of the lip.

Second possibility is either simple acne, or bacterial folliculitis. If the mask does not fit well, or moves a bit, abrasion and follicle occlusion can give rise to pus filled small bumps...

I am not sold on sea lice in either sites...

Neither of these explains the back of the hand rash, though. However, the OP's description of 'under the mask seal' doesn't sound like sea lice, either...

Maybe she's got two separate issues going on here?

Or, of course, got stung on the hand and wiped her mouth with the unfired cells?

 

[fisherdvm]

Neither of these explains the back of the hand rash, though. However, the OP's description of 'under the mask seal' doesn't sound like sea lice, either...

Maybe she's got two separate issues going on here?

Or, of course, got stung on the hand and wiped her mouth with the unfired cells?

I agree, it is likely 2 separate issue. We all like to lump everything into 1 explanation.

The area below the nose and above the lip is a common place for impetigo. Basically, nostril bacteria gets under the skin and festers into little pus bumps.

I've seen herpes in this site also.

The hand, likely a different issue all together... Probably an abrasion, or jelly fish sting... depending on how it was presented.

 

[PhilEllis]

Just got back from Cozumel where my wife got numerous pimple like bumps on her upper lip under mask seal and on the side of the back of one hand. We think it is sea lice stings and were wondering if sun tan lotion would help to prevent future occurences. We heard of a product out there specifically for sea lice but would prefer to use our usual sunscreen.

If it is Sea Lice or jellyfish, I strongly recommend the Safe Sea Suntan Lotions. This stuff reallly works. Take a look at this link and it will tell you more. Thanks.

Safe Sea Jellyfish Protectant Suntan Lotion - 4 SPF Versions

Phil Ellis

 

[fisherdvm]

Kinda cool. I don't know how it works. Does anyone know?? I really wonder if it is any better than petroleum jelly??




A Randomized, Controlled Field Trial for the Prevention of Jellyfish Stings With a Topical Sting Inhibitor
David R. Boulware, MD**Division of Infectious Disease and International Medicine, Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA*Division of Infectious Disease and International Medicine, Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
David Boulware, MD, Division of Infectious Disease & International Medicine, Departments of Medicine & Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, MMC 250, 420 Delaware St., S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. E-mail: Boulw001@umn.edu
Abstract
Background. Jellyfish stings are a common occurrence among ocean goers worldwide with an estimated 150 million envenomations annually. Fatalities and hospitalizations occur annually, particularly in the Indo-Pacific regions. A new topical jellyfish sting inhibitor based on the mucous coating of the clown fish prevents 85% of jellyfish stings in laboratory settings. The field effectiveness is unknown. The objective is to evaluate the field efficacy of the jellyfish sting inhibitor, Safe Sea™.

Methods. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial occurred at the Dry Tortugas National Park, FL, USA and Sapodilla Cayes, Belize. Participants were healthy volunteers planning to snorkel for 30 to 45 minutes. Ten minutes prior to swimming, each participant was directly observed applying a blinded sample of Safe Sea (Nidaria Technology Ltd, Jordan Valley, Israel) to one side of their body and a blinded sample of Coppertone® (Schering-Plough, Kenilworth, NJ, USA) to the contralateral side as placebo control. Masked 26 g samples of both Safe Sea SPF15 and Coppertone® SPF15 were provided in identical containers to achieve 2 mg/cm2 coverage. Sides were randomly chosen by participants. The incidence of jellyfish stings was the main outcome measure. This was assessed by participant interview and examination as subjects exited the water.

Results. A total of 82 observed water exposures occurred. Thirteen jellyfish stings occurred during the study period for a 16% incidence. Eleven jellyfish stings occurred with placebo, two with the sting inhibitor, resulting in a relative risk reduction of 82% (95% confidence interval: 21%–96%; p= 0.02). No seabather's eruption or side effects occurred.

Conclusions. Safe Sea is a topical barrier cream effective at preventing >80% jellyfish stings under real-world conditions.

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David R. Boulware

 

[ronski101]

Interesting comments. To help clarify:
1. Bumps occured on upper lip and outside back of hand on the same dive.
2. Bumps are consistent with pictures we have seen of sea lice stings which often occur under cloths, wetsuits or other close fitting apparel in this case a mask seal.
3. No one has attempted to answer my original question of the effectiveness of us using our regulat sunscreen or hand lotion on preventing future sea lice stings.