Sea Lice

[moosicman]

What are sea lice? I remember my instructor talking about them in class and how you would want to check for them at certain times of the year.

[MSilvia]

Originally Posted by moosicman

What are sea lice?

A sea louse is a fish parasite that doesn't have any interest in (or impact on) humans. The itchy bumps that sometimes occur under swim wear are actually the result of jelly larvae, although a lot of people incorrectly refer to them as "sea lice".

Here's a link to a DAN article on them:
DAN Divers Alert Network : Debunking the Sea Lice Myth

[Bigg_Budd]

Good article Matt. No wonder my a$$ burns when I get outta the surf...

[Splitlip]

Gone now (the jellies) here. Historically "swimmers eruption" occurced from fathers day to mothers day. They need a small temperature window to be active. Too cool not good for them, too warm not got for them. The window appears to be widening though.

Unless you are very sensitive, they only get you if trapped beneath a tee shirt or swim suit.In a wetsuit, you might get them around the seals.

Those in the know, get out of a damp suit and rinse in cool water.

Sun block seems to help UNDER the swim suit. Me, I wear 1 mil wetsuit shorts under my board shorts when I surf along with a rash guard.

A bit of advise. If you use a rash guard in the surf, make sure it has the loop at the bottom that can be tied your board shorts. All it takes is the rash guard to pop up and allow sea water inside. Then the critters are trapped and your belly ends up looking liks a pizza.

[Diver Kat]

I hate the little buggers .... if they're to be found, they're to be found biting the heck out of me! Apparently I'm super-sensative to them. My DH will have a bite or two, and I'll have huge patches. I've learned to travel with Benadryl gel and Benadryl spray, as they seem to work best on the itching.

[beperkins]

Any one ever hear of a similar affliction called agua malo or the bad water? Some old and sage divers in akumal mexico were telling me about it and it sounds similar.