Florida’s Department of Health is warning beachgoers of a potentially harmful sea lice invasion around Pensacola Beach that’s leaving red, itchy rashes with bumps and welts on some swimmers.
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Florida Department of Health
What exactly are sea lice? According to Dave Greenwood, the director of public safety for Pensacola beaches, they’re tiny jellyfish larvae and cells.
While they’re merely the size of black pepper grains and float on the water’s surface, their stings can cause a red, itchy rash.
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Fox17
Also known as sunbathers eruption, the rash becomes visible around 4 to 24 hours after leaving the water. Some swimmers report feeling a slight prickling sensation while still in the water.
Treatment includes antihistamine and medications to lessen the itching. It’s also suggested to apply vinegar on the skin to prevent any further bites.
“They aren’t very intense, which is why we call them sea lice and not sea hornets or sea wasps,” he said. “It’s just one of those you have to deal with when you go into the Gulf of Mexico. You are a land animal and the Gulf is not our native environment.”
Lifeguards began raising purple flags around the beaches on the coast of northwest Florida on Monday to warn visitors of the itchy pests.
What a gorgeous day out here on Pensacola beach we are flying green flags with calm surf conditions. We also have purple flags in the air due to sea lice (small jelly fish) please remember to drink plenty of water and apply lots of sunscreen. We hope everyone has a beautiful Tuesday!
Posted by Pensacola Beach Lifeguards on Tuesday, June 26, 2018
The Department of Health reported that these creatures typically pop up on Florida’s shores between March and August, with varying degrees of severity.
Meanwhile, the Florida Department of Public Health offered the following tips for avoiding sea lice:
- Pay attention to flags and avoid the water if sea lice are present and you are particularly susceptible to skin irritations
- Avoid wearing a T-shirt or one-piece bathing suit in the ocean to limit the surface area that could trap larvae.
- There is some evidence that use of a topical sunscreen or suntan lotion may actually protect skin from penetration by the lice.
- After exiting the water, change out of your bathing suit as soon as possible. After you remove your bathing suit, shower with warm water. Do not shower in a bathing suit that has been exposed to sea lice.
- Wash your bathing suit thoroughly with detergent and then use heat to dry it. Air drying isn’t enough.
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