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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 42
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Just returned from a great 2 weeks on Ambergris...not a bad word to say about the island; people are especially terrific. One question...has anyone else been stung by jellyfish larva while swimming? I have bumps that are extremely itchy, and more seem to be appearing even though my last swim was Saturday a.m. They are itchier now than when first spotted. They feel like chicken pox ( to the best of my memory...it's been about 40 years!) Any info on how to deal with the problem would be appreciated!
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,479
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Pica Pica. Too late to do anything now, right when you get it spraying with anything containing ammonia helps (windex, pee (have a friend help or you may hurt yourself), etc.).
There's been plenty of debate over what Pica Pica is but Green Reef reported it as being an algae bloom that happens to occur around the same time the thimble jellyfish appear.
Doing a search in the forums will give you more information.
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,461
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Eurax loton. Antihistimine if you need it.
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 153
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To prevent use Safe Sea (safesea.net), you can buy it on the interent, not sure if you can get it on the island. We brought it last year in April, used it the first two days, but didn't run into any. Did meet one lady that had it where her wet suit ended around her neck. Seems the affected areas are where they get trapped by clothing. Check with your guides as well, some will carry a spray bottle of ammonia just in case.
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 42
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Any idea how long the welts last? My husband and daughter had some stings too, but theirs are almost gone. Mine seem to be getting more and more itchy. I think it was 1 week ago tomorrow that we got them. I saw some things about pica pica but most of the entries were from years ago...
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,677
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I find the algae bloom theory interesting, it might explain a few things. About 10 years ago we did a couple of dives in Cozumel where we dropped off the boat into billions of thimbles. The vis was great, and there was nothing but those little buggers as far as you could see, and going down a good thirty or forty feet, none of them more than 6 inches from any of its buddies. We had 8 divers in our party, most wearing shorties, but a few without. We also sat on the surface right in the midst of these things for a good ten minutes before everyone was back on the boat. End result, not one "sting", not one rash or enexplained discomfort. Interesting.
Been there, done that, the washing machine ate the T-shirt
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 23
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Safe Sea is available at dive shops but costs about $30 BZ.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,063
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hmmm...I thought pica pica usually showed up in April or early May...no?
not gonna tell my g'daughter or she'll NEVER get in the H2O
_ _ _ _ _ _ _________________ _ _ _ _ _ _
But then what do I know, I am but a mere caveman
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,479
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Seems to be early, this isn't the first case. My friend got hit with it late last week as well.
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,251
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The thimbles were out in late January and we weren't bothered. Trust me, they would have seeked me out...itchy things like me  But come to think of it, while we were on mainland the no seeums didn't seek me either  Yeah...  I guess it all depends on where you are when they are there too 
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