Sea Lice: What They Are And How To Avoid

Jun 14, 2018 by apost team

Sea lice aren’t really lice. Nor are they insects of some other type. 

Sea lice, in fact, are the larval form of the thimble jellyfish (Linuche unguiculata) a tiny jellyfish that is roughly 0.6 inches in diameter. Thimble jellyfish live in the western Atlantic Ocean and are particularly common around the coasts of the Bahamas and the West Indies. 

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Most people get stung by sea lice when they get trapped between a person’s bathing suit and their skin. Most people develop small blisters and an itchy red rash after being stung. More severe reactions can include a headache, chills, nausea, and fever. Children are especially apt to develop the more severe reactions. Most people don’t show signs of having been stung until four to six hours after they have gotten out of the water, and their symptoms can last for up to two weeks. 

Visitors to the beach should check for reports of sea lice and/or look for warnings at the beach. Some beaches in Florida, for example, use purple flags to warn swimmers of pests in the water like sea lice, other jellyfish, and stingrays. Swimmers should also wear snug and tight-fitting swimsuits like those worn by divers to keep the sea lice out. Women might want to wear bikinis to reduce the size of the area in which sea lice can get trapped. 

Swimmers might also want to try a lotion called Safe Sea® that can supposedly protect people from sea lice and jellyfish stings by creating a barrier between the swimmer and the sea lice. Some sunscreens may also provide protection. 

If somebody suspects they have been exposed to sea lice, they should take a hot shower to wash any sea lice off. They should also wash their swimsuit with detergent and then dry it with high heat to kill any sea lice that are left. 

Watch the video below to learn more about sea lice and how to protect yourself from them:

People who have been stung can use hydrocortisone or antihistamine creams to treat the itchy rash. Calamine lotion and colloidal oatmeal can help children who have been stung by sea lice. Some authorities also recommend trimming a child’s nails to keep them from scratching themselves and making the rash worse. People who suffer more severe reactions to sea lice may want to use a corticosteroid cream. Oral or injectable steroids may help people whose symptoms keep coming back. 

Have you ever been stung by sea lice? If so, how did you treat it? Please tell us about your experience and show this article to your friends and family so they can stay safe during the summer!