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Nursing 2019 Jan;49(1):40-43

Myles Thomas Quail is an RN for surveillance at the Massachusetts Bureau of Environmental Health in Boston, Mass.

Nurses may see patients who have recently returned from tropical vacations complaining of a severe pruritic dermatitis known as seabather's eruption (SBE). Caused by exposure to jellyfish larvae, SBE is characterized by a pruritic rash, but some patients, particularly children, experience systemic signs and symptoms such as fever, chills, and nausea/vomiting. This article discusses SBE and reviews assessment tips, nursing care, and patient teaching. Read More

Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2018 Jan-Feb;51(1):119

Hospital Universitário Gaffrée e Guinle, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.

Clin Exp Dermatol 2017 Oct 10;42(7):808-810. Epub 2017 Jul 10.

Department of Dermatology, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University, São Paulo, Brazil.

Emerg Med Clin North Am 2017 May 15;35(2):321-337. Epub 2017 Mar 15.

Department of Emergency Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Alway Building M121, MC 5119, Stanford, CA 94305-2200, USA.

Venomous aquatic animals are hazardous to swimmers, surfers, divers, and fishermen. Exposures include mild stings, bites, abrasions, and lacerations. Severe envenomations can be life threatening. Read More

Indian J Dermatol 2017 Jan-Feb;62(1):66-78

Diving School, Naval Base, Kochi, Kerala, India.

Occupational and recreational aquatic activity predisposes our population to a wide variety of dermatoses. Sunburn, urticaria, jellyfish stings, and contact dermatitis to rubber equipment are common allergies that are encountered in the aquatic environment. Among the infections, tinea versicolor, intertrigo, and verruca vulgaris are widespread. Read More

An Acad Bras Cienc 2015 Mar 10;87(1):431-6. Epub 2015 Feb 10.

Centro de Ciências Tecnológicas da Terra e do Mar, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, Itajaí, SC, Brasil.

Seabather's eruption is a papulo-pruritic dermatitis caused by the nematocysts of the larvae of the jellyfish Linuche unguiculata retained in the clothing fibers. Previously reported in Brazil, this work describes fourteen cases that occurred in the State of Santa Catarina, in southern Brazil. The new cases observed over a short period of time (the first half of January, 2012), at the height of the summer season, should alert health teams to possible epidemics on the coast of the state of Santa Catarina. Read More

An Bras Dermatol 2012 May-Jun;87(3):472-4

University of Vale do Itajaí, Univali, SC, Brazil.

Seabather's eruption is characterized by the occurrence of intensely itchy erythematous papules observed mainly in the region covered by swimwear. The dermatitis occurs due to the contact of planula larvae of scyphomedusae Linuche unguiculata with the skin. The swimsuit pressure triggers the action of the poisonous stinging structures carried by the larvae. Read More

Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2009 May-Jun;51(3):169-75

School of Medicine, Vale do Itajaí University, Itajaí, SC, Brazil.

Seabather's eruption (SBE) is an intensely itchy, papule-erythematous dermatitis that occurs predominantly in regions of the body covered by bathing costumes, after exposure to marine water. The planulae larvae of Linuche unguiculata scyphomedusae (thimble jellyfish) are the etiologic agent of the dermatitis, which is frequent in waters of Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and Florida. The authors report 38 cases of SBE in the State of Santa Catarina (Southern region of Brazil), with emphasis on their clinical and epidemiological aspects, such as profile of victim, topography of the papules and conditions predisposing to the accident. Read More

Curr Sports Med Rep 2006 Sep;5(5):262-7

University of California, San Diego School of Medicine,Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0807, USA.

Surfing is an exciting sport enjoyed in many coastal communities around the globe. Participants are prone to various conditions ranging from acute injuries to conditions borne from chronic environmental exposure. Lacerations, contusions, sprains, and fractures are the common types of acute traumatic injury. Read More

J Travel Med 2006 May-Jun;13(3):166-71

Division of Infectious Disease and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 55455, USA.

Background: Jellyfish stings are a common occurrence among ocean goers worldwide with an estimated 150 million envenomations annually. Fatalities and hospitalizations occur annually, particularly in the Indo-Pacific regions. A new topical jellyfish sting inhibitor based on the mucous coating of the clown fish prevents 85% of jellyfish stings in laboratory settings. Read More

Cutis 2006 Mar;77(3):148, 151-2

SUNY Downstate, Brooklyn, New York, USA.

Am Fam Physician 2005 Jun;71(12):2313-7

Los Angeles Free Clinic, CA 90028, USA.

Surfers are prone to acute injuries as well as conditions resulting from chronic environmental exposure. Sprains, lacerations, strains, and fractures are the most common types of trauma. Injury from the rider's own surfboard may be the prevailing mechanism. Read More

Sports Med 2002 ;32(5):309-21

Department of Dermatology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267-0523, USA.

The most common injuries afflicting the athlete affect the skin. The list of sports-related dermatoses is vast and includes infections, inflammatory conditions, traumatic entities, environmental encounters, and neoplasms. It is critical that the sports physician recognises common and uncommon skin disorders of the athlete. Read More

Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2001 May-Jun;43(3):171-2

Departamento de Dermatologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, SP, Brasil.

The authors report five cases of seabather's eruption, a typical dermatitis associated predominantly to the jellyfish Linuche unguiculata (Cnidaria), that causes erythematous and pruriginous papules on areas of the skin of bathers covered by swimsuits. The rash is characteristic and the eruption is commom in the Caribbean, Florida, Mexico and Gulf States of USA. The cases are the first reported in Brazil and larvae of the jellyfish are present in the waters where the accidents happened. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2001 Apr;44(4):624-8

Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Centro de Neurobiologia Campus-Juriquilla, Queretaro and Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnologia, Cancun, Q. Roo, Mexico.

Background: Seabather's eruption (SBE) is a highly pruritic dermatosis affecting swimmers and divers in marine waters off Florida, in the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. Its cause has been attributed to various organisms but recently to the larvae of the schyphomedusa, Linuche unguiculata.

Objective: We attempted to determine whether immature and adult Linuche cause SBE. Read More

Dermatology 1999 ;198(2):171-2

Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Cancun, Q. Roo, Mexico.

Adult Linuche unguiculata medusae cause seabather's eruption just like that animal's larval form. This observation explains the wide seasonal incidence and the fact that lesions can appear on exposed skin. Read More

Trop Doct 1998 Jan;28(1):53

St Barnabas Health Centre, Dogura, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea.

Public Health Rep 1997 Jan-Feb;112(1):59-62

Division of Epidemiology and Disease Control, Palm Beach County Public Health Department, Riviera Beach, FL 33404, USA.

Objective: A prospective cohort study was performed to identify risk factors for seabather's eruption.

Methods: Study participants were recruited at four beaches in Palm Beach County, Florida, during three weekends of May and June 1993. Participants were interviewed by telephone after 48 hours regarding medical history, beach activities, development of rashes, and use of possible preventive measures. Read More

BMJ 1996 Apr;312(7036):957-8

Dermatology Department, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham.

South Med J 1995 Nov;88(11):1163-5

Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, USA.

Seabather's eruption is an unusual rash that develops in individuals who have been swimming in the ocean. We report the case of a 25-year-old woman who had the rash in a typical bathing suit distribution. Several species of cnidarian larvae have been implicated in causing the disease. Read More

Toxicon 1995 Jan;33(1):99-104

Department of Dermatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore 21201, USA.

Thirty-six of 44 patients with seabather's eruption had specific IgG antibodies against Linuche unguilata (thimble jelly) medusae antigen. ELISA detected antibodies in serum stored for 10 years. The extent of the cutaneous eruption or sting severity was correlated with antibody titer. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 1994 Mar;30(3):399-406

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami, FL 33101.

Background: Seabather's eruption (SE) is a highly pruritic eruption under swimwear that occurs after bathing in the ocean. Its cause has been unknown. Few data have been collected since the classic description by Sams in 1949. Read More

JAMA 1993 Nov;270(19):2300-1

N Engl J Med 1993 Aug;329(8):542-4

Office of Marine Ecology, Nassau County Department of Health, Mineola, N.Y.

Background: Seabather's eruption is an annoying pruritic dermatitis that appears on the areas covered by the bathing suit as an erythematous macular or papular dermatitis, with or without urticaria. It occurs sporadically in Florida, the Caribbean, and as far north as Bermuda. The cause is not known. Read More

J Emerg Nurs 1993 Jun;19(3):197-201

JAMA 1993 Apr;269(13):1669-72

Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami, School of Medicine, FL 33101.

Seabather's eruption is usually a benign clinical syndrome that resolves spontaneously, although severe symptoms and long-term sequelae have been identified. Recent research has implicated the larvae of a jellyfish, Linuche unguiculata, as the cause of this syndrome; confirmation by serological and experimental studies is pending. Clinical signs and symptoms are consistent with this etiology. Read More

Cutis 1992 Aug;50(2):98

University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Baltimore 21201.

Am Fam Physician 1989 Aug;40(2):97-106

Memorial Medical Center of Long Beach, California.

Jellyfish stings are usually mild except those caused by species in the South Pacific. The box jellyfish can produce a severe cardiorespiratory insult. The sting of the Portuguese man-of-war is more potent than that of the common jellyfish. Read More

Clin Dermatol 1987 Jul-Sep;5(3):101-2

Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama, Birmingham.

Cutis 1976 Oct;18(4):545-7

Swimmer's itch and seabather's eruption, while similar in morphology, differ in important aspects. Seabather's eruption occurs chiefly in salt water and involves covered parts of the body. Swimmer's itch occurs chiefly in fresh water and involves uncovered parts. Read More

Minn Med 1968 Jun;51(6):827-8

Am J Public Health Nations Health 1963 Sep;53:1413-7

Nord Med 1962 Jan;67:134-6

Arch Dermatol 1960 Dec;82:951-6

AMA Arch Derm 1956 Sep;74(3):293-5

AMA Arch Derm Syphilol 1951 Jul;64(1):55-6

Arch Derm Syphilol 1949 Aug;60(2):227-37