Summer Safety

It is the time of year when we are outdoors playing, working, enjoying the weather, and are more susceptible to accidents and the little dangers of nature. Ticks, mosquitos, and now water lice? I’d never heard of them, but I guess they’re out there.

According to ‘Healthfully.com’;

Sea lice bites are a common occurrence for those who swim in the Caribbean Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico and the waters off the coast of the Eastern and Western United States. Sea lice are tiny jellyfish larvae with stinging cells. Their bites usually appear underneath your bathing suit as a red rash with tiny blisters. 

If you are traveling to a seaside location, you needn’t panic or stay out of the water, just be aware. If you see a rash appear on your skin after swimming in the ocean, here’s all you need to do:

Reduce the itching associated with sea lice bites with household kitchen products such as vinegar and meat tenderizer. Shake meat tenderizer over the reddened area and then pour vinegar over it. Repeat the process until the itching sensation subsides.

Try over-the-counter topical products. Ointments with hydro-cortisone help reduce redness and itching. Apply the ointment to the sea lice bites according to the package instructions.

Take over-the-counter oral medication. Oral antihistamines such as Benydryl reduce redness and itching. Take according to package instructions.

Apply over-the-counter antibiotic ointments. Topical antibiotic ointments reduce the chances of secondary infections caused by sea lice bites. Use according to the package instructions.

Visit your doctor if symptoms persist. Sea lice bites can last for as little as 2 days or as long as 2 weeks. Rashes that last longer may indicate a secondary infection.

Heathfully.com

Knowledge is power, as they say; and rather than panic or ‘freak out’, you now know that sea lice are fairly harmless if you know what you’re dealing with and how to alleviate their bites. Remember, though, if symptoms persist after treatment, always visit your doctor.