Question Skin Rash with Raspberry Cysts

[Peter Vegas]

I’m seeking advice from a medical professional regarding a rash that I've developed a couple of days after a dive. I was wearing a rash guard, but it seems I still came into contact with something. There was no immediate reaction—no burning, stinging, or cuts—just some light itching.

At the first sign of redness, I rinsed the area with water and peroxide. I then soaked my hand in very hot water with vinegar and applied Neosporin Original Antibiotic Ointment. I also squeezed one of the cysts, thinking it might be pus causing the redness (the liquid was clear and slightly yellow). Now the skin appears dark red (black dot on photo).

The rash resembles photos of reactions to fire coral, but I didn’t experience any burning sensation. Hydroids and jelly fish normally sting. There was no apparent rash for three days. The cysts are now firm to the touch, and it seems like my skin is trying to isolate some kind of toxin. I understand that healing could take time, so I'm not expecting quick results.

Should I let the area dry out or continue applying the antibiotic ointment? Should I try vinegar soaks, or leave it alone and just let the body go through the healing process.

 

[Scubagermany]

As it it an unknown source that caused you this and due to the large area inflicted I would advise you to take some antibiotics such as Cefuroxim 500 mg twice a day for at least 6 days to prevent superinfection if it has not ocurred already. I would also advise some corticosteroid ointment such as mometason at least twice a day.

Get better soon

 

[Scubagermany]

BTW what you call cysts are not cyst, it is urticaria. Most probably due to a toxin or an allergic reaction.

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

I'd go see a doctor to be on the safe side.

 

[Scubagermany]

To have it checked out is of course a sound idea as photos can never replace a live consultation. You would need to see your GP anyway as you need a prescription for both medications I recommended.

 

[Zef]

The lesions on the back of your hand and wrist look similar to a jelly fish sting. It could be that some transparent tentacles were caught up in your gear and you were stung while transporting, disrobing, and/or cleaning your gear after your dive.

The cnidocytes along the tentacle remain reactive well after a jellyfish is dead and even remain reactive well after a tentacle is separated from the body of a jellyfish and chopped up.

If your gear was damp and had remnants of tentacle on it and you hadled your gear a few days after your dive, you could have conceivably sustained the sting(s) that caused your lesions.

-Z

 

[Altamira]

I'm not a physician, but it looks similar to, but a much worse case of Shingles I had a couple years ago. My Shingles were very mild, and concentrated to a small area on my leg and hip, but yours looks like a very nasty case of what I had. Mine never did sting, but itched like crazy. Hope you can get it diagnosed quickly. Since I had the vaccine, that diagnosis was the last thing I was considering.

 

[Peter Vegas]

To have it checked out is of course a sound idea as photos can never replace a live consultation. You would need to see your GP anyway as you need a prescription for both medications I recommended.

Understood. Thank you.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Wash that shirt in very hot water, too.

 

[Peter Vegas]

Wash that shirt in very hot water too.

No. The long sleeve rash guard was hung to dry. I have not put it on since. I only soaked my arm in very hot water and some vinegar when the arm started itching three days after the dive.