Medical Issue

[dk2943]

A few weeks ago, I went diving in the Florida Keys. The water was warm, so I wore my shorty wetsuit. After I got home, I noticed a line of irritation on my wrist and on each knee. Each spot itched! I put hydrocortisone cream on each spot. It almost killed the itching and after the few days, the redness went away and the spots went away on my knees. I wrote it off to a brush with a reef. About a week later, I noticed that the line on my wrist still had bumps and then started to itch. It has been itching for days. I am beginning to think this is not from a reef. Any suggestions?

[DivingsInMyBlood]

Maybe sea lice? Im not sure. Sometimes around my ankles itch when i fresh water dive due to the suit rubbing a bit.

[datamunk]

a shorty with long sleeves?

if so, maybe some sorta irritant got stuck there on the "cuffs" of your suit...

should post a pic of ur wrist.. coulda been some tiny jellyfish or something... maybe sealice? but its weird they are just "bands" or whatever

[Scubastud16]

Two things come to mind: Fire coral, and jelly fish.

Both sting like crap, and only go away when you do something about it. They "coming back" part is strange though...

[datamunk]

ammonia or peepee! haa

[BuzzGA]

It sounds a bit like sea lice to me, I had a run in with them years ago. No fun. But they didn't come back after I was cured

[Iceman]

Not to put too sharp a point on it; but why are you asking people who can't see the site and whose qualifications you don't know? Seems to me a trip to someone who can do a proper examination and evaluation is in order.

If it were me, and given the possible causes, I wouldn't delay for very long.

[ScubaToys Larry]

A lot of sea stinging things like fire coral and jellies do have a tendency of going away and then coming back. Anytime I have any indication of any sting... white vinegar is the thing I flood it with right away. Most all your ocean stings are base - and the 5% acetic acid in vinegar neutralizes them pretty quick.

And it is very common to see this happening at the spot where they can get "stuck" at the end of the suit. So carry vinegar for the future, and if it's still bothering you - have a doc give a quick look. They can probably give you some stronger stuff that can knock it out quicker.

[wgt]

It may not be a bad idea to visit a dermatologist, preferably with expertise in marine creature-related injury. Of course, your problem may be entirely unrelated to your dives and is hopefully not serious. At the same time, it is distinctly possible that contact with marine creatures is to blame. For example, coral-induced injuries are well known for provoking strong immune reactions that can come and go many times, even over the course of years, in some cases. Sometimes, systemic treatments (e.g., oral prednisone) are required. However, as your condition is obviously generating considerable anxiety and given that the home remedies are not satisfactory, it may be best to raise the issue with somebody who can take a complete history, examine the problem first-hand, and manage the case long-term, as the situation warrants. In the interim, ask Joe whether he can make you a special deal on a longer suit (maybe he's having a fire coral sale).

[Charlotte Smith]

Originally Posted by Iceman

Not to put too sharp a point on it; but why are you asking people who can't see the site and whose qualifications you don't know? Seems to me a trip to someone who can do a proper examination and evaluation is in order.

If it were me, and given the possible causes, I wouldn't delay for very long.

Maybe (since this is a place to learn and tell other of your experiences) someone has experienced this before and he is trying to save himself 80.00 at the Dr.'s ofc. or possibly 5 -600 at the ER.. Not like his hand is falling off...at least not yet......(just a thought..not being a smart a$$)

Don't want to scare you but I know some folks who got their stuff contaminated with someone who had scabies and the main starting point for them is the wrist and ankles.....they said the itching was like an itch you couldn't make go away or ever really get relief from it...(motels are the worst for spreading it) I am paranoid about things like this after hearing the stories so I am really careful about where I put my things (gear, clothing, towels etc...) and where I stay while on vacation......If it sounds similar to this see a dr anyway to be on the safe side.