Hi,

I am hoping that you may be able to help out with the problem my hubby has! :hugs:

Whenever we go swimming he gets loads of "bites" that itch like crazy :shakehead: we live 100yds from a beautiful beach and would love to swim every day but it makes him so miserable when he gets bitten, that he really does not want to go swimming at all as the itch lasts for about a week, anti-histamines don't really do anything and we have tried most of the creams like Soov etc even the ones with an anesthetic in and nothing helps!

Does anyone know of anything that we can use as a repellent?

I smothered him in sunscreen yesterday but after our swim, (the first in months due to the damm bites) he had at least 15 red bites that were itching like crazy :shakehead:

I get bitten occasionally but I wear a long sleeved rashie so I only get the odd one on my legs

what is he getting bitten by???

I'm not 100% sure what it is but it looks like a small mozzie bite but we know its not a mozzie, a friend has suggested it may be sea lice, lovely! :redcheeks:

that's what i was thinking , i think Luisa would be able to help with this one

sea lice??

Wikipedia states sea Lice are naturally occuring external parasites that do not have any human health relevance. The survive through feeding on the surface of sealife particulary Salmon.

Gilly, maybe you can:

* Speak to the local Pharmacy as they may know what is contaminating the water due to treating locals.

* Contact the Dept of Enviroment at your Local Council.

* Take a sample of the water to have analysed.

Wikipedia states sea Lice are naturally occuring external parasites that do not have any human health relevance. The survive through feeding on the surface of sealife particulary Salmon.

Gilly, maybe you can:

* Speak to the local Pharmacy as they may know what is contaminating the water due to treating locals.

* Contact the Dept of Enviroment at your Local Council.

* Take a sample of the water to have analysed.


A friend said that they are actually baby bluebottles but they get the "lice" label as they make you itch!:shakehead:

I have spoken to the chemist but they all say the same thing, anti-histamine and Soov cream, it doesn't work!

It has been happening since we moved here (nearly 2 years) so I don't think I will get any joy out of that!

Wikipedia states sea Lice are naturally occuring external parasites that do not have any human health relevance. The survive through feeding on the surface of sealife particulary Salmon.


EWWWWWWWWW

Gilly, get your chemist to order you in the third item down, the water resistant repellant with sunscreen.

http://www.emedical.com.au/default.asp?pageID=72&pageNo=1&searchType=1&keywords=427573686D616E

It contains a very effective 80% DEET. Test on a small area to make sure there are no reactions first. Dont know how effective it will be in the water though.

Should this not do the trick or for any other bites, apply a small amount of 1% Hydrocortisone cream (just on the spots, not widely) three times a day to reduce the reaction and the itch.

Hope this helps!:waving:

I have spoken to the chemist but they all say the same thing, anti-histamine and Soov cream, it doesn't work!!

Soov gel in the teal green tube is more effective for insect bites.

Could he just be being irritated by the salt water? It seems strange that he could get that many bites in the water.

:typing:

Could he just be being irritated by the salt water? It seems strange that he could get that many bites in the water.

:typing:

I wish it was!

They are little red "bites" and they are in lots of different places! I have got a few too but I am trying to ignore them but hubby has so many they are stopping him sleeping!:hugs:

Sounds like he may (not I say MAY) have swimmers itch. It is cause by a parasite, which is carried by birds, and the reason he is getting the itch, is he is allergic to the infection caused by the little suckers. That's IF it's swimmers itch.

All the information i have found have said it is not contagious, nor is it dangerous in itself, although scratching can lead to infection.

The only way to get any resolution is to have the water tested, and even that may not show anything, depending on the cycle.

I have just had a good look around online and apparently hemp seed oil is good for itching and of course its waterproof so i may just smother him in it next time!:chuckle:
Where we go swimming has always got pelicans and ducks swiming about so it makes perfect sense!

May be sand flies?

Get him a stinger suit. Its like a full body rashie, all the rage in Northern QLD where all the jellyfish live.

Some people are more suseptable to bites than others, I think its cause we smell better. I will always get eatan alive by any bug in the vicinity. There is one bug in particular (although I haven't figured out which one yet) that I react to. I get these big blistered bites that turn into swollen welts. Very itchy and sore. :mad: Have 1 on my wrist at the moment.

Or you can cover yourself in old pantyhose! :chuckle: It does much the same thing!

Or, find a new place to swim without any wildlife.