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FALL 2012
RESEARCH, EDUCATION & MEDICINE //
F I E L D M E D I C I N E
A
dventurous travelers go to great lengths to
prepare for serious medical emergencies, but it’s
often mundane and seemingly simple problems
that interrupt trips or impair our ability to enjoy
them. Prepare for minor annoyances to keep them from
becoming major problems.
Seabather’s Eruption
Often called “sea lice,” seabather’s eruption is most
commonly used to describe itchy bumps that result from
contact with thimble-jellyfish larvae or the larvae of other
organisms with nematocysts (stinging cells).
The time of onset and location on the body can be helpful
in identifying the cause. Sunscreen, sand, sweat, sun and
saltwater can all irritate the skin, but stinging bumps that
appear in covered areas of the body, especially at the cuffs or
edges of swimwear, during or soon after exposure to seawater
may be seabather’s eruption.
Treat seabather’s eruption just as you would a jellyfish or fire-
coral sting: Rinse the area with vinegar, and apply heat to help
relieve symptoms if the itching or discomfort is severe. Wash
the affected area, and keep it clean and dry to promote healing.
In severe cases, a doctor might prescribe an antihistamine or a
steroid. The only practical prevention is avoidance; local dive
centers should know when these organisms are present. True
sea lice are fish parasites and don’t cause this condition.
Water Disinfection
Gastrointestinal distress from drinking contaminated water
is generally avoidable. In places where the local water isn’t
safe to drink (or it’s questionable), you’ll want to have options
for making water potable. This may be useful in certain parts
of the world, in disaster situations or when traveling in the
backcountry and taking water directly from lakes, springs,
rivers or streams. There are several factors to consider when
deciding which method of water purification is most suitable
for your situation; these include cost, time and weight.
Chemical treatments for sanitizing water are readily
available at outdoor stores; the most common of these are
preparations of iodine or chlorine. Make sure to follow the
manufacturer’s guidelines regarding the contact time these
chemicals require. Many of the available products take as little
as 20 or 30 minutes to kill most microorganisms but as long
as 4 hours to kill some organisms such as cryptosporidium.
Colder water may require longer contact times. Two
downsides of chemical treatment are the delay before you can
drink the water and, depending on the chemical, the taste. If
you use powdered drink mix to flavor your water, wait until
the water is safe to drink before adding the flavoring; some
drink mixes can interfere with disinfection.
Boiling is a straightforward option; all you need is an
B y B r i a n H a r p e r , W - E M T , D M T
A Field Guide to Minor Mishaps
STEPHEN FRINK
BRIAN HARPER