It's Pica Pica Season

[Tony&Cheri]

Just a reminder and a word of warning: the summer brings out those near invisible little jellyfish larvae known as sea lice or pica pica. When we were at Mamitas the other day, Tony suddenly felt them on his arm and we got out of the water...fast. A few hours later the "bites" began to appear on T's arm and hand. Small red bumps like the measels. They itch and burm like crazy. Hydrocortizone cream, vinegar, salt water are all recommended to stop the burn. None of them really work.

We have always heard...and practiced...the claim that slathering up with sun tan lotion before going in the water keeps these nasties from biting. However on this day we went early before the sun was high and of course skipped the lotion. Not again. So be careful out there.

[Michele]

Originally Posted by Tony&Cheri

Just a reminder and a word of warning: the summer brings out those near invisible little jellyfish larvae known as sea lice or pica pica. When we were at Mamitas the other day, Tony suddenly felt them on his arm and we got out of the water...fast. A few hours later the "bites" began to appear on T's arm and hand. Small red bumps like the measels. They itch and burm like crazy. Hydrocortizone cream, vinegar, salt water are all recommended to stop the burn. None of them really work.

We have always heard...and practiced...the claim that slathering up with sun tan lotion before going in the water keeps these nasties from biting. However on this day we went early before the sun was high and of course skipped the lotion. Not again. So be careful out there.

Oh, poor Tony. I think this is actually the tail end of the season for sea lice. My daughter seems to be a magnet for these darn things. She has had a problem two ears in a row now. Oil based sun screen will definitely help. It makes it harder for them to maintain contact with your skin. They also tend to get caught in areas of your bathing suit that are somewhat loose, like the stomach area on a one-piece. Just to be safe, I recommend skinny dipping.

[Tony&Cheri]

Hope you're right about the season, Michele, although on one website it says it runs from April through August. On sealicecancun.com, it says "Sea lice season extends all the way through from March until August, but the highest risk months are April, May, June and July. Outbreaks are sporadic and not normally consistent throughout the whole of the sea lice season."

[OregonDeb]

Tony How long did the burning and itching last ?? Thanks for the warning !!

[Michele]

Originally Posted by Tony&Cheri

Hope you're right about the season, Michele, although on one website it says it runs from April through August. On sealicecancun.com, it says "Sea lice season extends all the way through from March until August, but the highest risk months are April, May, June and July. Outbreaks are sporadic and not normally consistent throughout the whole of the sea lice season."

We have only had a problem late March through May. Fingers crossed for this year.

Deb - Birdie's rash lasted over two weeks!

[Tony&Cheri]

Originally Posted by OregonDeb

Tony How long did the burning and itching last ?? Thanks for the warning !!

So far it's been 24 hours and it just getting worse. Web site I've seen say a week.

Papa T

[OregonDeb]

Poop !! Have you tried any oral medication to help with the rash ?

[Tony&Cheri]

Originally Posted by Michele

Oh, poor Tony. I think this is actually the tail end of the season for sea lice. My daughter seems to be a magnet for these darn things. She has had a problem two ears in a row now. Oil based sun screen will definitely help. It makes it harder for them to maintain contact with your skin. They also tend to get caught in areas of your bathing suit that are somewhat loose, like the stomach area on a one-piece. Just to be safe, I recommend skinny dipping.

The ultimate in Pica Pica Protection:Wicked Weasel Bikinis: micro bikini shop and sexy photo contest

Papa T

[PlayaLove]

[Michele]

Originally Posted by OregonDeb

Poop !! Have you tried any oral medication to help with the rash ?

Maybe Benadryl???

[Coccinelle]

Aww...poor Tony

Have you tried calamine lotion, you know the chalky kinda lotion that we use on our kids for chicken pox to stop the itch? It works for mosquito bites, maybe it'll work for pica pica. Benadryl might help too as Michele suggested.

[Tony&Cheri]

Originally Posted by Coccinelle

Aww...poor Tony

Have you tried calamine lotion, you know the chalky kinda lotion that we use on our kids for chicken pox to stop the itch? It works for mosquito bites, maybe it'll work for pica pica. Benadryl might help too as Michele suggested.

Thanks sweetie but don't worry too much. It's just my arm and hand and it's not too bad. I don't like taking antihistamines because instead of making me drowsy, the make me hyper. I'll be fine.

Papa T

[Ginger]

Oh, this isnt' good.

Is there any other precautions we can take? With our luck it will be Kelsey who gets it. I say that because anything skin related, this poor kids gets.

She has extensive issues with excema (but incidentally, her strong prescription creams would probably help with the itch and burning of the pica pica stings), she has had the melanoma on her foot, she has sensitive skin to certain clothing, perfumes, dyes, and right now for the past six months she's had an intensive case of moluskum.

I have heard of some kind of special lotion in the past to fight these little buggers...anyone heard of it? Does it work?

[Ginger]

Originally Posted by Tony&Cheri

I don't like taking antihistamines because instead of making me drowsy, the make me hyper.

Papa T

Hmmm....does the same to me...(and to Jorden, incidentally.... )

[PlayaWithMe2]

Originally Posted by Ginger

Oh, this isnt' good.

Is there any other precautions we can take? With our luck it will be Kelsey who gets it. I say that because anything skin related, this poor kids gets.

She has extensive issues with excema (but incidentally, her strong prescription creams would probably help with the itch and burning of the pica pica stings), she has had the melanoma on her foot, she has sensitive skin to certain clothing, perfumes, dyes, and right now for the past six months she's had an intensive case of moluskum.

I have heard of some kind of special lotion in the past to fight these little buggers...anyone heard of it? Does it work?

SeaSafe? I think that is what it is called. I haven't used it but it might be worth checking into.

[PlayaWithMe2]

Ooooops. This is the product I was thinking of.


Safe Sea? jellyfish sting lotion