Hydroid sting or shingles?

[Emme]

Hello there,

Strange one, I was scuba diving underneath a pier recently and accidentally my ankle rubbed up against the structure when I was diving (only bit of skin on show, apart from my hands). I felt a sting but not painful enough for me to stop. I looked at what I thought had stung me and it appeared to be a hydroid with fan like leaves. I told the Divemaster once I re-surfaced and she told me to let her know if it got any worse. It was just a small red rash. So I left it and now almost 13 days later it has got worse, weirdly gets itchy at night but not all the time. I decided to see the doctor to see if she could provide me with some steriod cream to sort the issue. She looked at it and then thought I might have shingles? Now I'm confused, I'm certain I touched something but she said it could have just been the initial pain from the shingles. Any ideas?

 

[NYCNaiad]

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A ScubaBoard Staff Message...

Moved this over to our Diving Medicine forum instead of A&I.

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[uncfnp]

It is almost certainly a reaction to something you touched.

While both shingles and contact dermatitis can cause vesicles on an erythematous base (blisters on a red base rash), shingles is more painful then itchy and that would be a really odd site and presentation for shingles. Add to that your remembered injury and the diagnosis is fairly certain.

Treat it as you would a poison oak rash. If the itch is mild, use a topical over the counter steroid cream. If more moderate request a steroid prescription from your provider if they did not give you one during your visit. You can also take a nighttime dose of diphenhydramine for the itch. For daytime itch use an OTC nonsedating antihistamine.

 

[snowdog61]

what he said. and do your best not to scratch it as any damage will prolong the healing. I learned the hard way on my 1st lobster trip to the keys going through the grass flats - hands/arms, neck, ears, and tops of legs. Another reason I don't dive without full exposure protection any time (even if it's just a 1mm skin). Don't scratch

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Hi Emme, secondary reactions like that are not uncommon. Did the animal break the skin at all?

Best regards,
DDM

 

[ScubaD1veDiv@]

This is a classic case of when hoofbeats are zebras that they teach in medical school.

The most probable diagnosis is contact dermatitis from contact with the hydroid. My reaction to a hydroid sting took weeks to resolve. Start using hydrocortisone and be patient. It will resolve with time.

 

[Emme]

Thanks so much for the advice, I will get some.

 

[Emme]

No break to the skin, just a small red rash afterwards that has got a bit itchy. Will take on the advice and get some cream to help that. Thanks

 

[charlier]

One suggestion - next time you encounter hydroids, use vinegar on the rash. This will help greatly. DAN has information regarding treatment on their website.

 

[lowflyer]

This is a classic case of when hoofbeats are zebras that they teach in medical school.

)
I'd say in this case that the hoof beats are horses (hydroids)
Regards