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Rick Coleman | all galleries >> Galleries >> Palau and Yap August 2006 > Rick's unexplained rash after snorkeling by Sam's dock without his wetsuit
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Rick's unexplained rash after snorkeling by Sam's dock without his wetsuit

(It looked worse than it felt)


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DSM7 05-Jan-2014 02:01
This page is ancient, but mystery rash is a common problem for snorkelers and I think since you have this lovely picture, many of the afflicted will eventually land on this page. Every year, I get a rash after a few days of snorkeling. It doesn't matter where I go, be it Florida, Riviera Maya/Belize, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Grenada/ Grenadines. I always wear a rash guard, but after a few days it starts just above the waistline of my shorts or on my lats and spreads up both flanks from pits to navel. It never appears anywhere else - only under my rash guard. My wife, who swims through the same waters I do, never gets anything other than an occasional singular sea lice sting. There are a lot of things out there to give you a rash. Some people get a rash under the guard or wet suit, others only where they weren't covered. Since Rick wasn't wearing his wetsuit, my first guess here would be Jelly Larvae. In my case, I really don't think spawn are to blame for my rash. I've been tagged by sea lice and a jelly and this is different. I've read that jelly larvae can be trapped inside a lycra bathing suit and continue to sting when rehydrated. My Norwegian Grandfather used to tell me stories of sun drying jelly fish to make itching powder which he would place in someones underwear or wetsuit. It seems unlikely any critters would get in under my tight rash guards and not my loose shorts, but just in case there was some kind of dormant spawn stuck in my rash guards I bought all new. I still got the rash. I then tried "Safe Sea Sting Protective Lotion" and still got it. Perhaps it is an allergic reaction to the rash guard itself. I guess some people are allergic to Spandex/Lycra. Some are allergic to Crocs (and not just because they are ugly shoes). That would suck if my rash guards are actually rash generators. However, my current theory is that it just might be something like diaper rash. I tend to never really dry off and just air dry leaving my wet rash guards on for sun protection while on the beach or boat. I guess I'm pretty much wet for hours, everyday. My next trip is back to St. Vincent in May. I'll wear my rash guard in the water, but once out, I will be sure to immediately take it off, dry off and put on dry clothes. It's a pain to keep changing, but it's worth a try if I can figure out how to avoid this problem. I previously attempted treating with hydrocortisone, calamine, vinegar and benadryl. None were effective. If snorkeling rash appears again., I'll try treating with 10% zinc oxide cream.
a 20-Jun-2012 04:02
i also have these rashes on my feet and legs.. i swam in saltwater. it's itchy. i don't know what to do. i wish it would disappear.
Yongli 13-Apr-2011 02:42
I think my rash from Moorea is similar. I thought I was allergic to some plants on the island. Now I think it might be from diving. I took some allergy medicine and it went away.
ryan 07-Aug-2010 15:29
I get similar rashes in the same area plus on my lats, stomach, and thighs. I surf in the Pacific ocean, central CA region. I always am wearing a wetsuit, it seems to be worse when my suit gets old. New suits generate less rashing but still irritate. I am not sure if its an allergy to microbial growth or rubber or something in the water.
Tomas 12-Jul-2009 06:45
I have also got these types of rashes starting around the waist after a week of swimming and snorkling in saltwater seas. It start at the sides of the waist and then it spread to the front. I have got these at two separate vacations, one time in Andaman Sea and the other in the Mediterranean Sea. Have you found out the reason for this yet?
robyn 19-Jan-2008 19:44
hey I got a rash like this after snorkelling in the south china sea off the coast of Malayasi.It was super itschy and took a long time to go away (2.5 /3 weeks) No treatment would help, it was all over my trunk, hand, feet arms, calves.Everywhwere!!!I was so frusterated cause no docter knew what it was.I was scared it was something serious. do you know why you got it?do you think its a parasite or virus?I started having alot of chest pain during the time i had the rash.It also seemed to spread with itching, and seemed to come alive at night. ahh I am glad to be over it, but still curious about what it may have been?
redrobyn@hotmail.com
Pauline16-Sep-2006 19:57
That looks like jelly fish rash or sting maybe????
Something to ponder?