From the Research
Seaweed scabies is commonly known by several other names including seabather's eruption, sea lice, and swimmer's itch. It's essential to note that despite being called "sea lice," this condition is not caused by actual lice but rather by the microscopic larvae of certain jellyfish, particularly thimble jellyfish and sea anemones. The medical term for this condition is cercarial dermatitis when caused by freshwater parasites, or marine dermatitis when occurring in saltwater environments. The condition typically presents as an itchy, red rash that develops after swimming in affected waters when the larvae become trapped between the skin and swimwear. Treatment usually involves topical corticosteroids like hydrocortisone cream (1%), oral antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (25-50mg every 6 hours), and calamine lotion for symptom relief. Most cases resolve within a week without specific treatment, though severe reactions may require prescription-strength medications. Prevention strategies include removing swimwear and showering immediately after ocean swimming and avoiding beaches with posted warnings about these organisms. The provided studies 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 primarily focus on the treatment of scabies caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite, comparing the efficacy of permethrin and ivermectin, rather than addressing seaweed scabies directly. However, the most recent and highest quality study 5 suggests that for scabies treatment, there is little to no difference in the efficacy of permethrin compared to systemic or topical ivermectin, but it does not directly address seaweed scabies. Given the information and the need to prioritize morbidity, mortality, and quality of life, the focus should remain on the symptomatic relief and prevention strategies for seaweed scabies as mentioned, due to the lack of direct evidence in the provided studies.