Waiheke swim paid for with stinging itches

Mosquito bites are one thing, but University of Otago student Georgia Hume says the mysterious organisms that have left her and her friends covered in a nasty rash, have produced another level of itchiness altogether.

‘‘Oh my god, it's crazy itchy.''

The 20-year-old said yesterday she and a large group of friends had been holidaying on Waiheke Island for the past four days and all ended up with rashes over their entire bodies after swimming at Palm Beach.

People have since been warned not to swim in the sea around the island, but there are several opinions floating around as to what is causing the rash.

The Auckland Regional Public Health Service said it was likely the spots were caused by an infestation of hydromedusae (jellyfish larvae), which cause a rash-like condition called sea bather's eruption.

Miss Hume said whatever it was, it could not be seen in the water, and it was not until a few hours after she and her friends got out of the water, that they noticed red spots popping up all over them.

‘‘We thought they were mosquito bites. We were told by a chemist that they are caused by jellyfish larvae.

‘‘They've turned into massive red lumps.

‘‘They are just ridiculously itchy. They're everywhere - we're covered in them.

‘‘We even have them on our faces. We look infectious, very scabby,'' Miss Hume said.

She said the group had been looking forward to going to a concert in Auckland last night and then returning to Dunedin for University of Otago O-Week festivities.

‘‘It's not good. We're coming back for O-Week, so we're not going to be looking too flash, that's for sure.''

Medical practices in the area have been treating large numbers of people with the condition.

Auckland Regional Public Health Service medical officer of health Dr Simon Baker said warm weather and onshore winds could bring the jellyfish into any beach in the Hauraki Gulf, at any time during the warmer months.

‘‘When a bather drains their swimsuit, the jellyfish are trapped tightly against the skin, and their stinging cells release the toxin.

‘‘If you think you've been stung, make sure you use the shower at the beach to wash off the jellyfish, rather than sit around in your wet togs. A saltwater shower works best but freshwater is almost as good.''

He also recommended giving swimsuits a good wash because jellyfish could still sting for weeks after they were dead.

The painful rash could last up to a week, but calamine lotion, antihistamines and mild steroid creams, such as 0.5% or 1% hydrocortisone, might be helpful.

If symptoms persisted or worsened, he recommended visiting a doctor.

john.lewis@odt.co.nz