How to Fight Against Sea Lice Bites

Sea Lice attacks are also known as seabather's eruption.

Sea lice is a colloquial term for a condition whose cause may vary according to the area you are in. In Florida, an attack of sea lice refers to stings from the larvae of thimble jellyfish. Near New York, sea lice refer to irritation caused by the larval form of the sea anemone. The symptoms are the same no matter where it occurs. The condition is generally described as itchy, red skin that develops a few hours after swimming and it may last for several days or several weeks in severe cases. Itchy spots usually occur where the microorganisms are trapped under the hair or bathing suits of swimmers, surfers or divers.

Instructions

Fighting Sea Lice

1. Prevent the stings in the first place. Clown fish develop mucous coatings that protect them from the stings of sea anenomes. They then hide in sea anenomes from predators. In places where sea lice are larval jellyfish, try a commercial jellyfish sting repellent. In a randomized, controlled study published in 2007 by the "Journal of Travel Medicine," an over-the-counter jellyfish repellent made from the mucous coating of clown fish reduced jellyfish stings by more than 80 percent. The product is marketed specifically as a sea lice preventive.

2. Watch for itching in others. If you have never been stung, the effects of thimble jellyfish may be mild or delayed. But repeated stings can apparently cause progressively worse symptoms in some people, according to Jane Wilson-Howart, author of "Bugs Bites and Bowels." If others start itching, and you know they've been stung, take precautions.

3. Shower. Remove your bathing suit first, because fresh water may discharge the nematocysts trapped in the fabric. Wash your suit as well before using it again. There is some evidence that the organisms can remain.

4. Apply a diluted vinegar solution. Mix a solution of half vinegar and half water and apply it to the rash to destroy any leftover toxin. Apply a topical cortisone solution two to three times per day for one to two weeks. Topical calamine lotion may also reduce itchiness. Consult a doctor before using a hydrocortisone solution on children or if you are pregnant or nursing. People with sensitivities to hydrocortisones should also talk with their doctor.

5. Go to the doctor if symptoms worsen or if you experience flu-like symptoms. Some people face severe allergies to sea lice and other types of jellyfish stings. Severe symptoms may include fever, chills, a headache and burning urination. A doctor may prescribe oral prednisone to combat these symptoms.

Tips & Warnings

• Children may be particularly susceptible to sea lice. If your child develops symptoms, monitor their condition closely and consult a doctor if symptoms become flu-like.

References

• Google Books: "Bugs, Bites and Bowels"; Jane Wilson-Howarth; 2006
• National Institutes of Health: Summary of "A Randomized, Controlled Field Trial for the Prevention of Jellyfish Stings With a Topical Sting Inhibitor"
• Suffolk County Government: Marine Resources Fact.
• Diver's Alert Network: Debunking the Sea Lice Myth
• DermNet New Zealand: Sea Bather's Eruption