From the Sea to Your Skin: Lice Eruption

My sea lice outbreak a year ago.

From being a true Floridian, I’ve had a couple encounters with sea lice. They always tell you not to play by seaweed or roll in the sand and to shower and scrub right after a beach visit. But I don’t listen.

I learn things the hard way. It mostly occurs from beach visits at night for me -- where apparently sea lice is more prominent I’ve been told.

Sea lice is traced to the species of the thimble jellyfish and there are three different stages: as larvae, polyps, and adult. It is the larval stage of the animal that is released by the millions and get caught in swimsuits stinging victims.

My worst breakout was all over my legs. It was just patches of red rashes that spotted both legs. Anti-itch creams weren’t doing it for me so I had to resort to a faster remedy. Vinegar.  Yup, I poured vinegar down my legs and had to deal with the agonizing burning sensation for a few minutes.

The spots lasted -- and were still itchy -- for about a week. This is what happens when you roll in the sand at night and don’t bother wiping the sand off. I actually went to sleep with sand all over me (it was a rough night). Definitely wasn’t the smartest decision.

So do yourself a favor and shower thoroughly after going to the beach, especially if it is a Florida beach during its lice peak season from March to August.

Check this out for more history, prevention, and treatment tips.