As a parent, you become accustomed to dealing with all sorts of accidents concerning your children. Scrapes, bruises, sicknesses, infections… after a short time, you’ll get to know them all.
Which is why it’s even more infuriating – and at times alarming – when things outside the norm affect your child as well. One mother who recently visited Carolina Beach with her kids soon discovered a nasty surprise. When they got home, she realized that all three of her children had developed intensely itchy rashes.
Looking back on their time at the beach, mom Caroline Roberts recalls that other children appeared to be scratching themselves as well.
To blame? Sea lice.
Yes, sea lice do exist, and yes, they are as a bad as they sound.
As per reports, Caroline said: “I have three children covered in sea lice they cry themselves to sleep, it’s like chicken pox,” she said. “I saw several other children on the beach scratching also.”
SEA LICE OUTBREAK: Sea lice are popping up all over U.S. beaches… http://abc7.ws/1ZsEQrA
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Now, when we say sea lice, your mind probably conjures images of spine-tingling little critters that latch onto someone’s skin and crawl around biting as they wish. Yet, though termed lice in name, sea lice are actually tiny jellyfish.
They belong to a group known as thimble jellyfish, and can also be known as sea bathers. It’s said that they’re prevalent between March and August, with lifeguards at Pensacola Beach, Florida, having issued warnings by way of purple flags as recently as last week.
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In the case of Caroline Roberts and her children, there can be no doubt that the resulting symptoms were bothersome. Captain Chad Soward of the local Ocean Rescue, however, said Carolina Beach is in no rush to follow their Pensacola counterparts.
“We would probably only put out a warning to swimmers if there were heavy rip currents of course, or perhaps if Portuguese Man O’ War’s invaded the area,” he said.
As per reports, the sea lice rash can appear anywhere between four to 24 hours after contact, while symptoms can include an itchy red rash, nausea, vomiting and headaches.
Sea Lice: Symptoms and Remedies
Stay safe in the surf this summer! Dr. Amy Hammonds via WVUE FOX 8 News on how to avoid sea lice – or the larvae of jellyfish – and what to do if you encounter them.
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Stings most commonly occur when sea lice get trapped between clothing and skin and thus feel threatened. As a result, it’s advised that swimmers ditch one-piece swimsuits and loose shirts, as well as rinse off as soon as possible after getting out of the ocean.
It should go without saying that we’re aiming to prevent as many cases of sea lice stings as possible. You can help us immensely by sharing this article to spread the warning with all friends and family on Facebook!
