saltwater allergy

[echo]

I'm not sure where to post this but here goes. Every year I go to the Virgin Islands and snorkel, fish, and just generally hang out. After I'm there for a few days I get a rash on the back of my hands. Occasionally I get it on my thighs too. It's actually very hard to see the rash but my hands get swollen/puffy, and at times very itchy. Cortizone creams/calamine lotion provides a little relief. I am very careful to not touch any coral while in the water. Any advice? :confused:

[mansfieldsign]

Thought - Do you think it could be from something within your accommodations? Such as, dust or soaps used to wash bed sheets, perhaps.

[echo]

Thought - Do you think it could be from something within your accommodations? Such as, dust or soaps used to wash bed sheets, perhaps.
I don't think that's the problem bit it's a good thought-I'll plan to bring some of my normal soap from home.

[flysully]

When I normally had no allergies at all, when I went to Aruba and Barbados, I developed big welts, like small hives, on my hands, wrists and forearms and sometimes on my calves. In these locations, while we spent many hours on their sandy beaches, I noticed tiny ants all over everything. Possibly, these were ant bites or "noseeums", maybe even mosquitos which I didn't see, whatever. If I went back there, I'd just take an antihistamine which would take care of welts, itches, etc. ]

[David Churbuck]

Take some Benydryl lotion along. Last year in Eleuthera, half of the gang was totally broken out in hive-like symptoms due to no-seeum bites. The benydryl did the trick.

There may be some phytoplankton in the water that are disagreeing with you skin. Dunno. I just scratch and drink to dull the itching.
dc


When I normally had no allergies at all, when I went to Aruba and Barbados, I developed big welts, like small hives, on my hands, wrists and forearms and sometimes on my calves. In these locations, while we spent many hours on their sandy beaches, I noticed tiny ants all over everything. Possibly, these were ant bites or "noseeums", maybe even mosquitos which I didn't see, whatever. If I went back there, I'd just take an antihistamine which would take care of welts, itches, etc. ]

[AlderBrookFarm]

One of the times we were in the Keys I had the same thing happen. I took one Benadry caplet am & pm, as I would be out like a light if I took the recommended two, and it worked well enough for me. Saved on the messy lotions and trying to cope with sunblock vs anti itch lotion issue.

[ruge13]

Sure its not from the sun? That sounds a little like a mild sun burn. Just a guess.

[flysully]

Sure its not from the sun? That sounds a little like a mild sun burn. Just a guess. No, Shaun, sunburn or sun poisoning shows itself initially by little pinpoint dots all crowded together and itching. What I had, at least, were definitely hive like welts, which not only itched unbearably, but stayed on my arms for a week after I came home. Definitely hives, the dermatologist said. Interesting comments, though, about maybe the cause being plankton in the water. Could be....

[lemaymiami]

Here in South Florida we'd attribute your problems to "sea lice". Microscopic critters in the salt that are hungry... the only cure that I know consists of immediate freshwater wash off after being in the water. Another possibility is to make a watery paste using Adolph's Meat tenderizer and apply to any area that is burning or itching. The stuff breaks down protein (that's how it tenderizes tough meats) and should counteract any effects. We also use the stuff in a heavy paste for jellyfish stings and to cut down the effects of fish spines (think catfish) or sting ray spikes. Once you've already reacted to whatever critters have irritated your skin, the Benadryl is probably your best bet. Sea lice are quite common at times along the beaches down here and you can probably find additional info on the problem with an internet search... Since I'm in my skiff 90% of the time these days it's been a while since I've encountered that particular problem

[echo]

The sea lice/plankton theory is interesting. If that's the case I wonder if using one of the "barrier creams" before going in the water would help. (These are used if you're going to be using adhesives or doing a dirty job so whatever it is doesn't leach into your skin)