Barbados in Oct. sea lice ?
- Thread starter zuzanne
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
Hi zuzanne,zuzanne:
I live in Barbados and dive nearly everyday and don't get bothered by anything in the water.
Mosquitos another matter though, don't know what deet is but there are local products like OFF that works OK.
Sculpin.
I've never had a problem with sea lice in Barbados. I would definately take something for the mosquitos. They're not a BIG problem, but they always seemed to find me...
- Messages
- 5,721
- Reaction score
- 473
The short answer is, "very unlikely," as it well past season.
Here is brief primer on "sea lice":
Below is from my "Ask RSD" column of he October 1999 issue of "Rodale's Scuba Diving" magazine:
"I. What are "sea lice" and what can I do about them?
A common form of skin disorder after diving is Sea Bather's Eruption, or SBE. Often mistakenly attributed to "sea lice," which are parasites of fish, SBE is primarily caused by the larval form of thimble jellyfish, very small creatures which float near the surface. Found in Florida, Mexico and the wider Caribbean, they are most numerous from March to August, with early April to early June being peak season.
The main feature of SBE is raised and itchy red welts/blotches which appear 4 to 24 hours after swimming or diving. The larvae tend to attach to swim wear, dive suits and hair, causing the skin under covered areas of the body and around the back of the neck to be most affected. Depending on exposure and individual sensitivity, there may be fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, generalized weakness or chills.
Prevention of stings is the best way to combat SBE. You should: (1) Ask resorts and dive shops if they are aware of heavy infestation; (2) Wear a snug fitting full body protective suit which fits tightly at the neck, wrist and ankle. Swim suits and T-shirts are not recommended; (3) Apply a thin layer of sun protectant, baby oil or petroleum jelly to the skin; (4) Remove wet garments immediately and wash yourself thoroughly. Do not rinse off with any items on; (5) Do your safety stop beteen 15'-20', below where the larvae typically congregate; (6) When surfacing, vigorously purge your second stage above your head just before breaking the water; and (7) If on a night dive, turn your light off at the safety stop and keep it off.
If you do get stung: (1) Immediately apply a mixture of 1/2 isopropyl alcohol and 1/2 vinegar to affected skin areas. Allow it to sit for a couple of minutes, then put on a thin paste of meat tenderizer and allow to dry. In place of meat tenderizer, some find it more soothing to rub the area with papaya if it is readily available. (2) Bathing in or applying colloidal oatmeal, which can be purchased at the pharmacy or grocery store, may afford additional relief. Follow these actions with the topical application of hydrocortisone cream/lotion, twice a day. If you do not have or cannot use hydrocortisone, Calamine lotion with menthol can be applied; (3) Take an oral antihistamine, such as Benardryl, if the allergic reaction continues; and (4) Wash all garments well in warm, soapy water and let dry completely before wearing again.
Remember that if you have a severe allergic reaction, or don't get substantial resolution from self treatment, or the eruption seems to be getting worse or infected, you should seek medical attention in a timely manner."
Best regards.
DocVikingo
Here is brief primer on "sea lice":
Below is from my "Ask RSD" column of he October 1999 issue of "Rodale's Scuba Diving" magazine:
"I. What are "sea lice" and what can I do about them?
A common form of skin disorder after diving is Sea Bather's Eruption, or SBE. Often mistakenly attributed to "sea lice," which are parasites of fish, SBE is primarily caused by the larval form of thimble jellyfish, very small creatures which float near the surface. Found in Florida, Mexico and the wider Caribbean, they are most numerous from March to August, with early April to early June being peak season.
The main feature of SBE is raised and itchy red welts/blotches which appear 4 to 24 hours after swimming or diving. The larvae tend to attach to swim wear, dive suits and hair, causing the skin under covered areas of the body and around the back of the neck to be most affected. Depending on exposure and individual sensitivity, there may be fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, generalized weakness or chills.
Prevention of stings is the best way to combat SBE. You should: (1) Ask resorts and dive shops if they are aware of heavy infestation; (2) Wear a snug fitting full body protective suit which fits tightly at the neck, wrist and ankle. Swim suits and T-shirts are not recommended; (3) Apply a thin layer of sun protectant, baby oil or petroleum jelly to the skin; (4) Remove wet garments immediately and wash yourself thoroughly. Do not rinse off with any items on; (5) Do your safety stop beteen 15'-20', below where the larvae typically congregate; (6) When surfacing, vigorously purge your second stage above your head just before breaking the water; and (7) If on a night dive, turn your light off at the safety stop and keep it off.
If you do get stung: (1) Immediately apply a mixture of 1/2 isopropyl alcohol and 1/2 vinegar to affected skin areas. Allow it to sit for a couple of minutes, then put on a thin paste of meat tenderizer and allow to dry. In place of meat tenderizer, some find it more soothing to rub the area with papaya if it is readily available. (2) Bathing in or applying colloidal oatmeal, which can be purchased at the pharmacy or grocery store, may afford additional relief. Follow these actions with the topical application of hydrocortisone cream/lotion, twice a day. If you do not have or cannot use hydrocortisone, Calamine lotion with menthol can be applied; (3) Take an oral antihistamine, such as Benardryl, if the allergic reaction continues; and (4) Wash all garments well in warm, soapy water and let dry completely before wearing again.
Remember that if you have a severe allergic reaction, or don't get substantial resolution from self treatment, or the eruption seems to be getting worse or infected, you should seek medical attention in a timely manner."
Best regards.
DocVikingo
Thanks DocV -- that's great information to have
OP
zuzanne
Contributor
- Messages
- 216
- Reaction score
- 0
Thanks everyone for the great info. We will be bringing shorties/skins and our warm water gloves for the line down to the Stav. Also will bring the Deep Woods Off with 100% Deet. Those spesky mosquitos love me but never seem to notice hubby. Guess I'm just tastier.LOL
Sculpin, deet is the active ingrediate in Off that the bugs don't like. The higher percentage the better, at least for me.
Thanks again for everyones help.
Zuzanne
Sculpin, deet is the active ingrediate in Off that the bugs don't like. The higher percentage the better, at least for me.
Thanks again for everyones help.
Zuzanne
Similar threads
