Sea Lice. Jeeeeesus Christ it itches

by **hunsta** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 5:14 am

Well the title says it all. finally got some decent surf off Noosa yesterday. However was starting to get the odd bite. Sea Lice. No biggy me thinks. Not the first time Ive encountered them. But oh my god they wouldnt stop. I carried on and had a nice 2 1/2 hr session, but boy was I feeling bitten. Got up today and Ive never been bitten so badly in all my life. Im told not to scratch, but its like telling a thirsty man not to drink. Aloe Vera doesnt help for long. Any advice?
Cheers
Craig

This is just my arm. The rest of me is just the same. Including my nether regions.

**Sponsor**

by **zebroo** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 8:29 am

That looks horrific! I can empathise; I've never come across sea lice but biting insects love me!

Have you tried calamine lotion? It's very pink, but it can give some relief. I would imagine that cold showers might also help. Good luck with the itching, hope it doesn't last too long!!!

by **billie_morini** » Sun Dec 11, 2011 2:03 am

I don't care for calamine lotion. An antihistamine like diphenhydramine will soothe the itching plus a hydrocortisone cream of 0.5% should be applied. If the affect is severe or you just can't stand it, then a corticosteroid steroid cream may be what you need. My home remedy for things like this is very hot epsom salt baths. Make the salt concentration relatively high. Stay in the water 45 to 60 minutes. Repeat daily, if necessary.

by **billie_morini** » Sun Dec 11, 2011 2:06 am

Oh, don't foget to clean your board shorts, wetsuit, or whatever you were wearing thoroughly. I like PSI 500 found at dive shops because it includes nonoxyl 9 and neoprene conditioners.

by **Katsura** » Wed Jan 11, 2012 3:46 am

WHAAAAA?????? When did you go out? Noosa is my local, I haven't seen any sea lice yet!

by **Katsura** » Wed Jan 11, 2012 3:48 am

I thought sea lice only bite fish!