![]() And you may not see any larger adult jellyfish nearby. Jellyfish larvae are as small as specks of black pepper, and just as hard to see when they float in the ocean. That’s when jellyfish release their larvae into the water.Įven the best precautions when you swim in these areas may not protect you. Use caution if you swim or dive along the coast of Florida or the Caribbean between May and August. The only way to avoid stings is to stay out of the water during peak season. Here are some things you should know before your next jaunt in the ocean. It’s the same thing full-grown jellyfish do, but it hurts a lot less. When they swim up under your bathing suit, they get stuck and release stinging toxins. The jellyfish larvae that cause this condition float in the ocean. Some doctors call the skin irritation "seabather's eruption." For some reason, though, in the 1950s, residents of coastal areas began to call the stings of jellyfish larvae “sea lice bites.” The name just stuck. ![]() Real sea lice are parasites that feed on the blood of salmon and other fish. Some people call the critters that gave them this rash "sea lice." But they're not lice at all. ©2020 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Researchĭistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Sea lice bites are actually jellyfish larvae stings that form a rash after you swim in the ocean.Īfter swimming in warm ocean waters, some bathers discover a red itchy rash on the skin under their bathing suit. This has been reported to protect the skin from the parasite that causes swimmer's itch. Don't feed birds on docks or near swimming areas.Īpply waterproof sunscreen. Rinse exposed skin with clean water immediately after leaving the water, then vigorously dry your skin with a towel. You may be more likely to develop swimmer's itch if you spend a lot of time in warmer water near the shore. If you're a strong swimmer, head to deeper water for your swim. Also avoid swimming or wading in marshy areas where snails are commonly found.Īvoid the shoreline, if possible. Avoid swimming in areas where swimmer's itch is a known problem or signs warn of possible contamination. To reduce the risk of swimmer's itch:Ĭhoose swimming spots carefully. The parasites that cause swimmer's itch live in the blood of waterfowl and in mammals that live near ponds and lakes. Swimmer's itch rarely leads to complications, but your skin can become infected if you scratch too vigorously. And, your sensitivity can increase each time you're exposed to the parasites that cause swimmer's itch. Some people are more sensitive to swimmer's itch than others are. Children may have the highest risk, since they tend to play in shallow water and are less likely to dry off with a towel. The more time you spend in infested water, the higher your risk of swimmer's itch. Swimmer's itch isn't contagious from person to person, so you don't need to worry about catching swimmer's itch from someone who has this itchy rash. These snails live near the shoreline, which explains why infections occur most often in shallow water. Before infecting birds, other animals or people, the hatched parasites must live for a time within a type of snail. The parasite's eggs enter the water via their hosts' feces. You might be referred to a health care provider who specializes in skin conditions. If you notice pus at the rash site, consult your doctor. When to see a health care providerTalk to your doctor if you have a rash after swimming that lasts more than three days. Signs and symptoms of swimmer's itch typically worsen with each exposure to the parasites. Swimmer's itch usually affects only exposed skin-skin not covered by swimsuits, wet suits or waders. It may appear within minutes or days after swimming or wading in infested water. ![]() The itchy rash associated with swimmer's itch looks like reddish pimples or blisters. In the meantime, you can control itching with over-the-counter or prescription medications. Swimmer's itch is uncomfortable, but it usually clears up on its own in a few days. Humans aren't suitable hosts, so the parasites soon die while still in your skin. These parasites can be released into the water. The parasites that cause swimmer's itch normally live in waterfowl and some mammals. Swimmer's itch is a rash usually caused by an allergic reaction to parasites that burrow into your skin while you're swimming or wading in warm water.
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