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Sea lice or seabather’s eruption is a rash that occurs when a swimmer is stung by marine life larvae, which are the baby of jellyfish. The condition has many names, including sea lice, pika-pika, sea poisoning, sea critters, and ocean itch. Occurs when a swimmer is stung by marine life larvae, which are the baby of jellyfish.
Signs and symptoms of sea lice?
- A tingling sensation under the bathing suit.
- The rash usually starts a couple of hours after swimming. It presents as vesicles, red papules, pustules, and urticarial wheals which may become dense and run together in a mass.
- It is generally confined under the swimming costume, particularly the tight-fitting areas, but can extend to exposed skin.
- The average duration of the rash is 1-2 weeks but can persist for up to 1-2 months.
Sea lice treatments
- Remove your swimsuit as soon as possible.
- Rinse the body in seawater that does not have the jellyfish.
- Take an antihistamine.
- Use an ice pack to help relieve pain.
- Apply topical steroid cream on the rash.
