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
Oh, Sydne, when I say I feel your pain, I truly do mean it. I was hospitalized in a 3rd world country so they don't do much to start with anyway. No prednisone here. I really don't know what the treatment should be once a person is stung multiple times. I would think that the doctors who are treating you would know best even if they aren't familiar with "sea lice." But the venom from sea lice has to be similar to some forms of jellyfish as that is their parents.
I do know that after I get stung, whether it be only a dozen stings or hundreds, it takes about 8 days or more for me to fully recover. The stings then fester and become oozing sores and this is when the fever starts. (usually 2 days or so after being stung). But when I found Safe Sea, my stings are so much less that I actually continue to swim in the ocean for several miles when sea lice are present. it is a great preventative. I put a lot of that stuff on on my face, arms, torso, stomach and when I get out, I may have only a dozen little stings or so. And, they don't get to the festering sore stage, so this product does help.
I guess you should follow your doctors orders and see if the predisone works (steroid). It may, but in the future, I know I'll have a swimming friend who advocates Safe Sea (until something better comes on the market)!!!
donna
Oh, Sydne, when I say I feel your pain, I truly do mean it. I was hospitalized in a 3rd world country so they don't do much to start with anyway. No prednisone here. I really don't know what the treatment should be once a person is stung multiple times. I would think that the doctors who are treating you would know best even if they aren't familiar with "sea lice." But the venom from sea lice has to be similar to some forms of jellyfish as that is their parents.
I do know that after I get stung, whether it be only a dozen stings or hundreds, it takes about 8 days or more for me to fully recover. The stings then fester and become oozing sores and this is when the fever starts. (usually 2 days or so after being stung). But when I found Safe Sea, my stings are so much less that I actually continue to swim in the ocean for several miles when sea lice are present. it is a great preventative. I put a lot of that stuff on on my face, arms, torso, stomach and when I get out, I may have only a dozen little stings or so. And, they don't get to the festering sore stage, so this product does help.
I guess you should follow your doctors orders and see if the predisone works (steroid). It may, but in the future, I know I'll have a swimming friend who advocates Safe Sea (until something better comes on the market)!!!
donna
