What are the effects ....

[King_Neptune]

Doctors,

This may be a post more for a Dermatologist but I thought someone might be able to shed some light on this...

What are the effects, if any, positive and/or negative, of repeated diving within salt water? Some people say they feel "dirty" or "gross" whereas others say they feel "stripped" and cleaned of oils and such (of course after a shower).

Is there really any healing qualities of salt water to minor wounds like cuts, scratches or maybe even bug bites?

=-)

 

[Dee]

and I haven't played doctor in a long time but...

I've noticed if I get a cut or scrape while on a Caribbean dive trip (my only chance for salt water), it seems to heal alot faster.

I just wish there was something to prevent my fingernails from getting soft!

 

[John Reinertson]

That's a good question. In general, the salt water exposure doesn't by itself seem to cause any problem. It does soften the outermost layer of dead skin cells called the stratum corneum, which would tend to make the skin softer and more easily punctured or infected.

Sea water is full of microscopic plankton and organisms that theopretically could infect the skin, but common experience seems to be they don't.

Of course, there are people with sensitivity to various marine organisms that don't tolerate exposure to them, but that's an individual thing.

There has been some concern that people with impaired immune systems are more likely to pick up infections in the marine environment, and serious infections have occurred in that group.

A short and sweet answer would be that healthy individuals seem to have little to fear from simple sea water contact. Those with immune system problems or on chronic immune suppressant medicines should have a careful discussion with their doc regarding risk, possibly with DAN consultation.

Get wet safely,

John Reinertson

 

[AllenP]

Has anyone tried "New Skin"? Its supposed to be a "waterproof bandage" and is available as a liquid or spray. I guess it dries on the skin to form a protective coating

Just wondering if it is any good.

 

[Dee]

Allen,

New Skin works OK out of the water to protect abrasions from normal daily exposure to water. But underwater, it doesn't adhere to your skin for very long... it will just peel off.

I got 5 stitches on a dive trip (long story) and was told if I could keep it dry, I could continue to dive. I tried the New Skin first and before the dive was half over, it had peeled off just like a big piece of skin! What I found that works best is waterproof bandages from 3-M.

I can't remember the exact name but the bandages have a very thin, clear 1/2 edge around the pad that provides a waterproof barrier. I had the first one on my knee for 3 days, (4 dives a day) and when I changed it, the stitches were dry as a bone!