Hi there,
I just got back from the 5-mile St. Croix Coral Reef Swim--a terrific race for anyone considering it. I've done this 4 times, and despite what I am going to ask about, I highly recommend the race. I saw tons of turtles, rays, and had a great 5 days in the sun.
Given all of that, during last year's race, I was stung by a man-of-war, and "sea lice." The man-of-war sting was extreme, and required a hospital visit as I developed a systemic reaction. (This kind of sting is almost unheard of in St. Croix so don't let it put you off the race!)
This year, I seem to have been attacked by sea lice again. The last two days, in addition to the bumps and itching, I have had a headache, felt feverish, had the chills, and generally felt like I have light flu symptoms. I am also sleeping really badly. I've been up since 4, totally unable to get back to sleep. I didn't equate the other symptoms with the reaction until I did some reading. Now, I'm pretty certain they're related.
Has anyone confronted this? My concern, based on looking at some things online, is that now that I've started these kind of reactions, they will continue to get worse the more times I encounter the little beasties. I hesitate to use the prednisone I have leftover from last year's man-of-war sting, but I'm feeling pretty lousy. (No pun intended!)
What have you done in the past? And have you tried Safe Sea, the supposed prevention lotion? I love the sport, but I'm paying for it dearly in terms of how I feel!
Thanks for any advice.
Parents
Former Member
Dear Syned and Donna (yes long time :)
after doing a pubmed search and finding out these are indeed what i had originally thought, the larval jellyfish. i can give you what is recommended to be standard treatment.
it seems that some people are more sensitive to exposure than others. many result in a typical maculoopaular rash, especially under suits, etc.
standard treatment would be an antihistamine such as benadryl and a topical steroid cream. however, in more severe situations, prednisone orally would be prescribed. i understand that presenting with a fever a physician may be hesitant to give oral steroids but if the history is well docuemented then it is very reasonable. if you were admitted, i imagine they would want to r/o all other things that cause headache, fever, chills, myalgia, and so forth.
this is primarily a dermatitis that can have some more severe symptoms such as you both describe and again if the physician felt comfortable with the possible cause, then a course of IV steroids might be also considered. also of course, perhaps some antibiotics for nothing more than to prevent secondary infections (i'd hold off on the abx if it were me).
i think it's just hard bec/ when you present with a rash, and the other symptoms mentioned, they need to r/o every other possible cause (which are many)
don't know if i've helped, but i'd push the steroid issue since this is indeed an immune response.
having worked in a burn center for a long time with trauma surgeons, i am used to seeing very unusual rashes, etc. and can see how it would be perceived if the physicians aren't familiar with the syndrome.
good luck and feel better!
donna, am i likely to encounter these in the gulf of mexico next week where i'm swimming??
mary d.
Dear Syned and Donna (yes long time :)
after doing a pubmed search and finding out these are indeed what i had originally thought, the larval jellyfish. i can give you what is recommended to be standard treatment.
it seems that some people are more sensitive to exposure than others. many result in a typical maculoopaular rash, especially under suits, etc.
standard treatment would be an antihistamine such as benadryl and a topical steroid cream. however, in more severe situations, prednisone orally would be prescribed. i understand that presenting with a fever a physician may be hesitant to give oral steroids but if the history is well docuemented then it is very reasonable. if you were admitted, i imagine they would want to r/o all other things that cause headache, fever, chills, myalgia, and so forth.
this is primarily a dermatitis that can have some more severe symptoms such as you both describe and again if the physician felt comfortable with the possible cause, then a course of IV steroids might be also considered. also of course, perhaps some antibiotics for nothing more than to prevent secondary infections (i'd hold off on the abx if it were me).
i think it's just hard bec/ when you present with a rash, and the other symptoms mentioned, they need to r/o every other possible cause (which are many)
don't know if i've helped, but i'd push the steroid issue since this is indeed an immune response.
having worked in a burn center for a long time with trauma surgeons, i am used to seeing very unusual rashes, etc. and can see how it would be perceived if the physicians aren't familiar with the syndrome.
good luck and feel better!
donna, am i likely to encounter these in the gulf of mexico next week where i'm swimming??
mary d.
