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Post by tallgirl on Mar 21, 2017 16:02:57 GMT
I'm hoping someone might have some advice for us. We are just back from a spring break trip down south which was lovely, but a recurring problem cropped up again. My son, who is 11, seems to have an allergy or sensitivity to sea water. He cannot wear board shorts because the sea water combined with the slightest bit of friction on his skin makes him break out in a rash that bothers him terribly. We thought we had solved that problem by having him wear jammers instead, but he was miserable on a snorkelling trip because the mask rubbed his face and the salt water irritated him. He is fine in fresh water and doesn't otherwise seem to be highly sensitive to clothing. Are some people just incompatible with sea water? Is there anything we can do?
This has happened to him repeatedly - multiple trips in different locations. The one commonality is that it's always ocean water that is the culprit.
We are looking now at booking another spring break trip for next year but if being in the ocean is really bothering him that much and there is nothing we can do about it, we may need to look for a different type of vacation. |
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Post by KB on Mar 21, 2017 16:41:53 GMT
It may be "seabather's eruption" it is a reaction to a tiny organism in the water.
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RosieKat
Drama Llama
PeaJect #12
Posts: 5,376 
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Post by RosieKat on Mar 21, 2017 16:47:25 GMT
It may be "seabather's eruption" it is a reaction to a tiny organism in the water. That was my thought as well. I think in general it's in warmer waters (?) so even if it's been different locations, it could still be this. |
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Post by tallgirl on Mar 21, 2017 23:38:47 GMT
The only thing that made me think that may not be it, is that this rash only seems to be activated when something is rubbing his skin (swimsuit, snorkel mask, etc.) I thought the seabather's eruption happened as the organisms die on you and secrete a poison that irritates the skin (i.e. no abrasion needed at all). Also, none of the rest of us have ever been affected, only him.
Hmm. Thanks for the ideas. Maybe I should Google seabathers eruption again.
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Post by KB on Mar 21, 2017 23:41:27 GMT
LINKThat quote is what made me think it could be Sea Bathers. Good luck with your search, I hope your boy can jump back in the ocean soon!
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Post by shamrock on Mar 22, 2017 1:07:20 GMT
Has he worn the same type of sunscreen every time? I used to break out in a rash on my face when at the beach. After a couple of trips, my mom changed my sunscreen and no more problems! Totally crazy, but something about the sea water, sunscreen & my skin did not mix.
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Post by hennybutton on Mar 22, 2017 1:23:42 GMT
Do you go to the same beach each time, or do you visit different beaches?
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Post by tallgirl on Mar 22, 2017 1:42:51 GMT
Different beaches. It's happened in California, Belize, and just this time in the Bahamas.
The sunscreen idea is interesting. I do usually buy the same brand but that's a good idea to try a different one next time just in case it's the combination that does it. Thanks for the suggestion.
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