Sea Lice Question

[zuzanne]

I got bit by sea lice for the first time while swimming off Deerfield Beach, Florida. I am taking bendryl and using lands end oil and cortizone anti itch cream. How long will it take for this to go away, the itching is awful? I was in the water on Thursday and did not start breaking out in the red itchy bumps until Friday afternoon. I continued to have new spots break out on Saturday. So far I have not had any new ones erupt today. I hate this. I have been a water baby for years and this is the first time for me to get bit or stung or whatever it is they do. Hubby was in water with me and he did not get bit. Life Guards were not flying the blue flag for marine critters either. Spots are on my stomach, chest and back.

Suzanne

 

[H2Andy]

sorry about that... it's never happened to me, but my wife got hit once.

you're taking the right meds. sounds like the worst is over. if you don't notice a marked improvement in two or three days, tops, i would check with a doctor to be safe (the danger is an allergic reaction).

i'm not a doctor, etc.

 

[Curt Bowen]

I got bit by sea lice for the first time while swimming off Deerfield Beach, Florida. I am taking bendryl and using lands end oil and cortizone anti itch cream. How long will it take for this to go away, the itching is awful? I was in the water on Thursday and did not start breaking out in the red itchy bumps until Friday afternoon. I continued to have new spots break out on Saturday. So far I have not had any new ones erupt today. I hate this. I have been a water baby for years and this is the first time for me to get bit or stung or whatever it is they do. Hubby was in water with me and he did not get bit. Life Guards were not flying the blue flag for marine critters either. Spots are on my stomach, chest and back.

Suzanne

Yes and its not one of those type of contacts you can just go to the doctor for a Penicillin shot for. LOL

 

[bullshark]

I got bit by sea lice for the first time while swimming off Deerfield Beach, Florida. I am taking bendryl and using lands end oil and cortizone anti itch cream. How long will it take for this to go away, the itching is awful? I was in the water on Thursday and did not start breaking out in the red itchy bumps until Friday afternoon. I continued to have new spots break out on Saturday. So far I have not had any new ones erupt today. I hate this. I have been a water baby for years and this is the first time for me to get bit or stung or whatever it is they do. Hubby was in water with me and he did not get bit. Life Guards were not flying the blue flag for marine critters either. Spots are on my stomach, chest and back.

Suzanne

Lands End oil is trash, it's wast of money.

"Safe-Sea" applied as directed has some effectiveness for protection, but often fails because people don't apply under their suit. You must follow directions, and you must apply everywhere or it's a waste, and you have to reapply when you go back in.

As to "hubby", he is just not sensitive [allergic] to them. It's very much like poison ivy, some are, and some aren't. It's the same here: ms. bullshark is highly sensitive, and I'm all but immune. If they are so bad that I get a "bite", the missus will be hospitalized.

For SCUBA, we have a bullet proof solution, though (going on two years). She wears a Henderson Microprene Hooded vest under her 3 mil jumpsuit. The critters do not get in.

Mothers Day to Fathers Day is the traditional season by Bahamian folklore.

safe diving,

bullshark

 

[ReneeC]

I got bit by sea lice for the first time while swimming off Deerfield Beach, Florida. I am taking bendryl and using lands end oil and cortizone anti itch cream. How long will it take for this to go away, the itching is awful? I was in the water on Thursday and did not start breaking out in the red itchy bumps until Friday afternoon. I continued to have new spots break out on Saturday. So far I have not had any new ones erupt today. I hate this. I have been a water baby for years and this is the first time for me to get bit or stung or whatever it is they do. Hubby was in water with me and he did not get bit. Life Guards were not flying the blue flag for marine critters either. Spots are on my stomach, chest and back.

Suzanne

Suzanne - As I am not a doctor I decided to tap into DAN to give you an authoritative answer. One of the items in this article of importance is in regard to your swimsuits/towels etc which still contain the ability to sting you. Make sure you wash them as described and that the water is very HOT!

FROM the DAN Website:
"Often misnamed "sea lice" (which are true crustacean parasites of fish, and which inflict miniscule bites), sea bather's eruption occurs in sea water and involves predominately bathing suit-covered areas of the skin, rather than exposed areas. The skin rash distribution is very similar to that from seaweed dermatitis, but no seaweed is found on the skin.

The cause is stings from the nematocysts (stinging cells) of the larval forms of certain anemones, such as Linuche unguiculata, and thimble jellyfishes. The injured person may notice a tingling sensation under the bathing suit (breasts, groin, cuffs of wetsuits) while still in the water, which is made much worse if he/she takes a freshwater rinse (shower) while still wearing the suit. The rash usually consists of red bumps, which may become dense and confluent (i.e., run together in a mass). Itching is severe and may become painful.

The Treatment

Treatment consists of immediate (for decontamination) application of vinegar or rubbing alcohol, followed by hydrocortisone lotion 1 percent twice a day. Topical calamine lotion with 1 percent menthol may be soothing.

If the reaction is severe, the injured person may suffer from headache, fever, chills, weakness, vomiting, itchy eyes and burning on urination, and should be treated with oral prednisone.

The stinging cells may remain in the bathing suit even after it dries, so once a person has sustained sea bather's eruption, the clothing should undergo machine washing or be thoroughly rinsed in alcohol or vinegar, then be washed by hand with soap and water."

Hope this helps!
Renee