There's something in the coastal waters.... (dermatologist, safe, firms)

[carolochs]

Yes, Rosie, that was one of many of articles I also came across in my research. I'm most definitely not alone in this.

And yes, Liz.....I actually emptied a water bottle on my legs to rinse them off when we left and went to our truck to get all the sand off, but apparently that was not enough, nor soon enough. I'm still thinking the shaving nicks in my legs were likely *the gateway".

I had an online friend tell me her story of getting the exact same thing when she was wading in waters off the coast of Rhode Island was diagnosed as "Swimmer's Itch"---which is about the closest matching symptoms I could find as well. Creepy to think of parasites under your skin! Ick!

Another online friend came down with the exact same thing about two weeks previous to me and she was wading in waters off Santa Monica.

Really sad to know our waters are so mucked-up....for so many reasons. :/

[Jenkay]

I'd bet dollars to donuts you were stung by a jellyfish and had an allergic reaction. The waters have been very warm, which makes jellyfish stings much more likely.

[Encinitan]

Originally Posted by Jenkay

I'd bet dollars to donuts you were stung by a jellyfish and had an allergic reaction. The waters have been very warm, which makes jellyfish stings much more likely.

Ding ding ding!

[carolochs]

Originally Posted by Jenkay

I'd bet dollars to donuts you were stung by a jellyfish and had an allergic reaction. The waters have been very warm, which makes jellyfish stings much more likely.

If you've ever been stung by a jellyfish, you KNOW it. No question about it--hurts like hell.
I had no such encounter the day this all started....on either leg, and this "reaction" I had ended up on both legs, the second leg starting days after.

Wish it was something so easy to identify!

[carolochs]

A lot of what I've found about *Swimmers Itch* online indicates that the parasite thrives near shoreline water and in the sand at water's edge. So if you're one to head straight for deep water to swim or surf, you're far less likely to come in contact with it. As many times as I'm in the ocean, I'm surprised I did not get something sooner....but then I usually head out for deep water, too.

The day of my exposure, we had not planned to go to the beach, we stopped spontaneously and I had not brought or worn a swimsuit. So we ended up hanging out at the shoreline, rolling up our pantlegs, just wading up to our knees, as said. We were there at the water's edge for a good hour, just talking. My husband never got anything. But then ....*I* was the one with the fresh shaving nicks on both legs.

So hence, my caution about water-wading in shallow water especially with any cuts or open sores on your legs. Small children might be more susceptible as well, obviously...playing near the water's edge.

http://www.water.ca.gov/recreation/l...%20-8-2015.pdf

[Jenkay]

Originally Posted by carolochs

If you've ever been stung by a jellyfish, you KNOW it. No question about it--hurts like hell.
I had no such encounter the day this all started....on either leg, and this "reaction" I had ended up on both legs, the second leg starting days after.

Wish it was something so easy to identify!

Not always. Depends on the species. I've been stung (locally) and not known it until later, only realizing it when I actually saw the marks left by the stingers. I'd imagine if the whole area was red from a reaction you wouldn't see the telltale red stinger mark.

[carolochs]

Then I would have had to be bitten on both legs, cuz both legs got it. We never found any bite or puncture marks and we looked with a magnifying glass. At first I thought it may have been a spider bite.....till it spread to the other leg.

I may never know, but I can't rule out the ocean either. I was curious if anyone else who comes on this forum had any similar experience recently....

Maybe I was just a one-off FLUKE!
Maybe not....

[LuvSouthOC]

Solution: pool.

[SD-2023]

Originally Posted by Jenkay

Not always. Depends on the species. I've been stung (locally) and not known it until later, only realizing it when I actually saw the marks left by the stingers. I'd imagine if the whole area was red from a reaction you wouldn't see the telltale red stinger mark.

To add to this: if a school of jellyfish are present, a swimmer may not necessarily have to be sting by one to be affected. Skin irritation can result from just being in close proximity to a large number of jellyfish due to the their natural toxin being present in the water.

[CNYC]

I wish that I never saw this thread. Going into the ocean has been one of the highlights of living in Encinitas. I feel like I am on a tropical vacation when I go swimming.....then "poof " I am back at home within two hours minus a long plane ride.