A number of visitors to Grand Cayman have recently reported getting sea itch caused by larvae of the sea thimble jellyfish. Apparently they're thick from April through July or August. The larvae only affects you where you have fabric in contact with skin. Treatment is cortisone cream and antihistimine.

Is sea itch a concern on Bonaire this time of year?

Marlene

i have not heard/seen any reference to this problem in bonaire but the cortisone cream and antihistimine come in handy anyway...bug bites...

We didn't see any jellyfish of any type during our trip in early May. We always carry Cortisone Cream and Benedryl in case of bits and other itchy things. Actually we didn't even have problems with bug bites this time. We didn't even unwrap the bug spray.

Thanks for the post Marlene. We shall be travelling to Grand Cayman this July, I'll make sure I pack some creams!!!

Perhaps I should have put this down in my previous note, but in case anyone is concerned about the "Sea Itch" here's a little info:

Cnidarians are a group of marine animals that contain stinging structures known as nematocysts, and include jellyfish, corals, sea anemones, hydroids, and Portuguese Man o'War. There are more than 9000 species of this group of marine animals; however, it appears that the larval form of "thimble jellyfish," is responsible for the outbreaks in South Florida and the Caribbean.

The many nematocysts surrounding each larva can be triggered to fire by mechanical pressure, such as in the friction areas of a bathing suit. A bather's individual activities may also increase the amount of firing, such as contact with a surfboard, lying on the beach, or sitting on a car seat in the wet bathing suit during the trip home.
The surface area of a bathing suit may increase the area over which stings can occur. Female bathers wearing one-piece suits and children and adults wearing T-shirts in the water can increase the risk of a more severe reaction.

Changes in osmotic pressure may also activate the nematocysis. This could occur from evaporation as the bathing suit dries or from the bather's rinsing with fresh water while wearing the suit. The nematocysts have been noted to have an affinity for hair as well as fiber, which could explain why people have lesions on their necks, from hair dangling in the ocean water and then contacting the skin.

The dermatitis usually becomes noticeable between 4 and 24 hours after exposure, although some persons do complain of a "prickling" sensation while still in the water.

Treatment of this dermatitis currently includes the administration of an antihistamine, for the itching and the application of an over-the-counter 0.5% hydrocortisone cream to the rash areas.

That's all folks...

"Sea Lice" have been known to occur on Bonaire, but as far as I know, not to the extent they are common north of us. While I was in Miami last week, there was a coast-wide sea lice alert, and bathers in the ocean were a daring few and far between.

I've not heard that we have had any sea lice issues here recently, however.

Jake