Seabather's eruption

Background

Cnidaria larvae get trapped, release toxin
Nematocysts of the larval forms of sea anemones: Edwardsiella lineata
Thimble jellyfish: Linuche unguiculata
Not be confused with cercarial dermatitis, which is caused by freshwater schistosomes or coastal water clam diggers

Clinical Features

Excoriated papules in areas covered by swimsuit. Box shows Linuche unguiculata, the thimble jellyfish, whose larvae and adult forms caused this dermatitis.

Rash generally under the garments worn by bathers and swimmers (where the organisms are trapped after the person leaves the water)
- Versus Cercarial dermatitis, which is occurs on the exposed skin outside of close-fitting garments

Differential Diagnosis

Marine toxins, envenomations, and bites

Toxins
- Ciguatera
- Scombroid
- Tetrodotoxin (e.g. pufferfish)
- Shellfish poisoning
  - Amnesic shellfish poisoning
  - Diarrheal shellfish poisoning
  - Neurotoxic shellfish poisoning
  - Paralytic shellfish poisoning
Stingers
- Stingray injury
Venomous fish
- Cone shells
- Lionfish
- Sea urchins
- Stonefish
- Other: Catfish, zebrafish, scorpion fish
Nematocysts
- Coral reef
- Fire coral
- Jellyfish (Cnidaria)
  - Box jellyfish
  - Sea wasp
- Portuguese man-of-war
- Sea anemones
- Seabather's eruption
Phylum porifera (sponges)
Bites
Infections
- Vibrio species in saltwater
- Aeromonas species in freshwater

Travel-related skin conditions

Papules
- Insect bites
- Scabies
- Seabather's eruption
- Cercarial dermatitis (Swimmer's Itch)
Sub Q Swelling and Nodules
Ulcers
- Tropical pyoderma
- Leishmaniasis
- Mycobacterium marinum
- Buruli ulcer
- Dracunculiasis (Guinea Worm disease)
Linear and Migratory Lesions
- Cutaneous larvae migrans
- Photodermatitis

See also domestic U.S. ectoparasites

Evaluation

Typically a clinical diagnosis

Management

Disposition

External Links

References

Authors: