Prevalent along both the west and east coasts of the United States during the winter months as well as in the warm waters of the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico, sea lice are probably one of the most commonly encountered stinging threats to swimmers and divers at the beach. The term is actually a misnomer as the actual lice are marine parasites that affect fish. They have nothing to do with the unpleasant and often painful symptoms associated with the rash, also known as seabather’s eruption, according to WebMD.
General Information
Sea lice are actually the microscopic larvae of ocean stingers such as jellyfish, and they contain the same stinging cells, or nematocysts, as their moms and dads. In many areas of the Caribbean and Gulf, the primary culprit causing these infestations is the larvae of the thimble jellyfish. Sometimes half a millimeter in length or smaller, these larvae can become trapped between the skin and bathing suit or in your armpit and other crevices. As you move, you compress the larvae, and the sting cells are fired.
Although the larvae are large enough to see them without any technology or scientific equipment, but they are pretty much invisible in the water. Unfortunately, the only reliable way to tell whether the lice are present is by the appearance of the rash on other divers or swimmers. During the summer months, many of these stinging larvae may float in concentrated “blooms” or “clouds” that affect large areas of the ocean and beach.
Common Symptoms
Common signs that you have been stung by these lice include an intensely itchy red rash with elevated areas of the skin and small blisters. These unsightly, painful lesions may appear anywhere on the body, but they are usually found in concentrated areas normally covered by swimwear since the larvae typically become trapped in these areas. Severe reactions to lice exposure may include vomiting, nausea, headaches, chills, and fever, especially in children. In rare cases, some people may require hospitalization following an extreme allergic reaction.
What to Do If You’re Stung
If you encounter these lice while swimming, your first sign that something is wrong might be a burning or itching sensation on certain parts of your body. If you think you have been exposed to the lice, leave the water right away, take off your bathing suit, and shower. Avoid showering with your bathing suit on at all costs as this will cause the stinging cells that are still within the fabric of your suit to fire, releasing even more venom. Avoid wearing the swimsuit until it has been thoroughly washed in a machine and dried.
Exposure to lice may not become apparent for six hours or more, and the rash may last for anywhere from two days to two weeks. Blisters and rashes from the stings may be extremely painful, and they may become infected if you continue to scratch at them. Common home remedies to relieve the burning and itching from lice stings include meat tenderizer and vinegar. Benadryl and other oral antihistamines as well as hydrocortisone cream create can help to relieve the itching, and you may apply topical antibiotic cream to reduce your chance of infection.
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Although these lice can appear at any time during the year, the “season” for lice typically runs from April through August. Although you shouldn’t avoid the water just because sea lice might be there, it is important to understand the appropriate steps to take to treat yourself in the days and weeks after an incident should you find yourself with an unsightly and painful rash.
