Beware sea lice - but enjoy Belize!
Mar 12th, 2005, 08:42 AM
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Beware sea lice - but enjoy Belize!
My sister and I just returned from a week in Belize. We stayed at Xanadu on Ambergris Caye. We did four boat trips for snorkeling and we wear both eaten alive by unseeable critters we later learned are called sea lice. The way to prevent them is apparently too put sunscreen on your entire body before you put your swimsuit on. Judging from where we got these horribly bites that makes sense - they were all under our swimsuits. If you like to snorkel be sure to try Shark Alley and Mexico Rocks. The swimming off shore of even off the piers isn't any good for snorkeling or even for swimming. Try Alfonse for a snorkel trip. Some restaurants we liked were Blue Water Grill and Capricorn. Be willing to answer questions!
Mar 13th, 2005, 03:51 AM
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Sea lice is present in the Atlantic from theUS coast down. We call is pica pica. Prevention is special sunscreen. Spray with vinegar when you get out of the water, especially inside your bathing suit and skin crevasses. If you itch, use eurax lotion. If its real bad, antihistimines.
Mar 13th, 2005, 04:43 AM
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I am curious now ...??? My first trip with the gals 14 yrs. ago I came out of the water at the public beach at M.A. and it was like my skin was on fire and just crawling with itchiness( I had a rash of little red welt/bumps all-over ) .... I nearly went crazy with the itching ..... We tried everything , in the end a lady at one of the little shops gave me hydrogen peroxide , which I dumped over myself . I have never had it happen since ??? Perhaps that is what it was , sea lice ? Hmmm...
Mar 13th, 2005, 08:01 AM
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This is the time of year for them -- not just in Belize but all along much of the Mexican and Central American coast.
Most oily lotions or vaseline will keep them from bothering you. They are right at the surface so when you go in is when you get them. Vinegar helps as a treatment if you get them.
Surprised the snorkel guide didn't offer advice.
--Lan Sluder
Most oily lotions or vaseline will keep them from bothering you. They are right at the surface so when you go in is when you get them. Vinegar helps as a treatment if you get them.
Surprised the snorkel guide didn't offer advice.
--Lan Sluder
Mar 13th, 2005, 08:21 PM
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What is the special sunscreen?If I use oil or vaseline I will fry.I also got bitten all over after snorkling in Cozumel last month.The bites didn't appear until much later in the evening and I didn't know what the heck they were,only that they itched real bad.I do remember there being a lot of jelly fish in the water.What I don't understand is why did I continue to break out with these bumps days later? Can they harvest on your body? I'm going to Cancun in 2 weeks and I do not want to have to deal with this again because it makes you very uncomfortable.Any other suggestions?I do want to snorkel again.
Mar 14th, 2005, 03:49 AM
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There's a product called Sea Safe that is supposed to help. Do an internet search and you should be able to find it. Also, make sure and take off your bathing suit as soon as you can manage and wash it out in fresh water.
Mar 14th, 2005, 02:20 PM
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I just bought some Sea Safe to take with me to Belize and Playa del Carmen this summer. I ordered it online, but don't have the web site address handy. I found it easily with a search on the name. I hope this stuff works, because I got a horrible rash in Bocas del Toro, Panama, last summer. I basically ended up staying out of the water the rest of the time we were there 
Mar 14th, 2005, 02:34 PM
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We just experienced something really similar at Railay beach in Thailand. It always seemed to be inside my shorts or the backs of my legs. It felt like someone was pulling hairs out.
It seemed to be worse at low tide.
It seemed to be worse at low tide.
Mar 16th, 2005, 10:23 PM
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Just use vaseline or an oily based sunscreen. I got my Sea Safe in about a week after I ordered it with regular shipping. You could probably get it shipped faster if you really want to try it. I haven't tried mine yet. Here is the web site: http://www.lifestylesdirect.com/safe...token=76920384
Mar 17th, 2005, 04:43 AM
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KED...thanks for the warning; we will be there the end of April. Just curious, what snorkel trips did you take, Daughter and I are trying to decide on a few of the many snorkel trips offered, would love to hear your recommendations. You mentioned Shark Alley and Mexico Rocks,any other spots? Did you use the same guide for all 4 boat trips? Thanks!
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