Seabather's eruption occurs following exposure to jellyfish larvae in subtropical or tropical oceans.
Synonym: sea lice
Species: members of the phylum Cnidaria (Linuche unguiculata, Edwardsiella lineata, others)
Location: Florida, Caribbean, other
Lesions:
(1) papular rash which may develop vesicles or pustules
(2) very pruritic
(3) lesions develop after a swim in the ocean
(4) fever and other systemic symptoms may occur with extensive disease
Distribution - any place that the larvae can accumulate:
(1) bathing suits
(2) wrist or ankle bands
(3) flexural areas
The cases may be sporadic but often occur in outbreaks that are associated with increased numbers of larvae in the ocean.
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Specialty: Toxicology, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care