Archives: Diseases & Conditions Posts

Tumors in the breasts are not uncommon, especially after age 30. Tumors may be cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign). Approximately 1 in 9 women will develop breast cancer. Early detection can be made with regular, manual self-examinations of the breasts, but not all tumors can be detected in this manner. Mammography (X-ray of the breast) can detect tumors that manual examination cannot. The American Cancer Society recommends the following:

• Women 20 years of age and older should perform breast self-examination every month.
• Women ages 20-39 should have a physical examination of the breast every three years, performed by a healthcare professional such as a physician, physician assistant, nurse or nurse practitioner.
• Women 40 and older should have a physical examination of the breast every year, performed by a healthcare professional such as a physician, physician assistant, nurse or nurse practitioner.
• Women 40 and older should have a mammogram every year.

Tumors are often removed surgically and treatment of malignant tumors may involve surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy – or a combination of two or three of these procedures.

Both chemotherapy and radiotherapy can have toxic effects on the lung, surrounding tissue and body cells that have a rapid growth cycle such as blood cells.

Implications in Diving

Cytotoxic drugs (chemotherapy) and radiation therapy can have unpleasant side effects such as nausea and vomiting, and a prolonged course of therapy can result in greatly decreased energy levels. This makes diving while experiencing such side effects inadvisable. Radiation and some chemotherapeutic drugs can cause pulmonary toxicity.

An evaluation to establish the safety of a return to diving should include an assessment of the lung to ensure that damage likely to predispose the diver to pulmonary barotrauma (arterial gas embolism, pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum) is not present.

Finally, before diving, healing must occur, and the surgeon must be satisfied that immersion in salt water will not contribute to wound infection. Strength, general fitness and well-being should be back to normal. The risk of infection, which may have increased temporarily during chemotherapy or radiotherapy, should have returned to normal levels.

Ovarian tumors may be malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous). Tumors may be solid or a hollow sac (cysts). Cysts are sometimes filled with fluid and usually are the non-cancerous form of an ovarian tumor. Ovarian tumors are not all that uncommon. There is no reliable testing or screening for ovarian cancer. Diagnostic tests CA 125 and ultrasound are often recommended but have a very high false positive false negative, but tests may register as abnormal in many other diseases besides ovarian cancer. Pap smears occasionally can have pieces of calcium on then called psammoma bodies, which can be indicative of ovarian tumors.

Implications in Diving

In respect to diving, the major concern would be the effects on the body from the surgery and/or radiation/chemotherapy treatments. First, if surgery was done, complete healing to have taken place in the site of the incision. Strength and general feeling of well being back.

Cytotoxic drugs (chemotherapy), have unpleasant side effects such as nausea and vomiting, and a prolonged course of therapy usually results in greatly decreased levels of energy due to their cytotoxic effects. This makes diving while experiencing such side effects unadvisable. Some of these drugs can cause pulmonary toxicity and patients can have residual pulmonary functional impairment for a year or longer after they have finished treatment. Pulmonary function studies may be necessary to verify adequate ventilation and clear pulmonary airway passages.

Ovarian tumors may be malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous). Tumors may be solid or a hollow sac (cysts). Cysts are sometimes filled with fluid and usually are the non-cancerous form of an ovarian tumor. Ovarian tumors are not all that uncommon and, if identified early, they can be removed surgically or with radiation treatments.

Implications in Diving

With respect to diving, the major issues are the effects on the body from the surgery and/or radiation/chemotherapy treatments.

Pregnancy is the period of time in which a fetus develops inside a woman’s uterus. A woman’s pregnancy usually lasts about 40 weeks — just over nine months — as measured from the last menstrual period to delivery. An estimated due date can be calculated by determining the first day of the last menstrual period and counting back three months from that date. Then, add one year and seven days to that date. This is called Naegele’s Rule and based on a typical 28-day cycle.

Implications in Diving

There is little scientific data available regarding diving while pregnant. Much of the available evidence is anecdotal. Laboratory studies are confined to animal research and the results are conflicting. Some retrospective survey type questionnaires have been performed but are limited by data interpretation.

An issue to keep in mind is the risk of decompression illness (DCI) to the mother due to the physiological changes which occur while pregnant. During pregnancy, maternal body fluid distribution is altered, and this redistribution decreases the exchange of dissolved gases in the central circulation. Theoretically, this fluid may be a site of nitrogen retention. Fluid retention during pregnancy may also cause nasopharyngeal swelling, which can lead to nose and ear stuffiness. In regards to diving, these may increase a pregnant woman’s risk of ear or sinus squeezes. Pregnant women experiencing morning sickness, which could then couple with motion sickness from a rocking boat, may have to deal with nausea and vomiting during a dive. This is an unpleasant experience and could lead to more serious problems if the diver panics.

Due to the limited data available and the uncertainty of the effects of diving on a fetus, diving represents an increased exposure for the risk of injury during pregnancy. There’s a baseline incidence of injury including cases of DCI in diving. One must consider the effects on the fetus if the mother must undergo recompression treatment.

Diving, like any other sport, requires a certain degree of conditioning and fitness. Divers who want to return to diving postpartum (after having a child) should follow the guidelines suggested for other sports and activities.

Implications in Diving 

After a vaginal delivery, women can usually resume light to moderate activity within one to three weeks. This depends of several factors: prior level of conditioning; exercise and conditioning during pregnancy; pregnancy-related complications; postpartum fatigue; and anemia, if any. Women who have exercise regimens prior to pregnancy and birth generally resume exercise programs and sports participation in earnest at three to four weeks after giving birth.

Obstetricians generally recommend avoiding sexual intercourse and immersion for 21 days postpartum. This allows the cervix to close, decreasing the risk of introducing infection into the genital tract. A good rule of thumb is to wait four weeks after delivery before returning to diving.

After a cesarean delivery (often called a C-section, made via a surgical incision through the walls of the abdomen and uterus), wound-healing has to be included in the equation. Most obstetricians advise waiting at least four to six weeks after this kind of delivery before resuming full activity. Given the need to regain some measure of lost conditioning, coupled with wound healing, and the significant weight-bearing load of carrying dive gear, it’s advisable to wait at least eight weeks after a C-section before returning to diving.

Any moderate or severe medical complication of pregnancy – such as twins, pre-term labor, hypertension or diabetes – may further delay return to diving. Prolonged bed rest in these cases may have led to profound deconditioning and loss of aerobic capacity and muscle mass. For women who have had deliveries with medical complications, a medical screening and clearance are advisable before they return to diving.

Caring for a newborn may interfere with a woman’s attempts to recover her strength and stamina. Newborn care, characterized by poor sleep and fatigue, is a rigorous and demanding time in life.

A mother may choose to breastfeed her infant while maintaining an otherwise active life. This may continue for weeks or months, depending on the mother’s preference.

Implications in Diving

Is it safe to scuba dive while breastfeeding?

From the standpoint of the child, the mother’s breast milk is not unduly affected. The nitrogen absorbed into the body tissues is a component of breathing compressed air or other gas mixes containing nitrogen. This form of nitrogen is an inert gas and plays no role in body metabolism. Although nitrogen accumulates in all of the tissues and fluids of the body, washout after a dive occurs quickly. Insignificant amounts of this nitrogen would be present in the mother’s breast milk; there is, however, no risk of the infant accumulating this nitrogen.

From the mother’s standpoint, there is no reason for a woman who is breastfeeding her child to avoid diving, provided there is no infection or inflammation of the breast.

With endometriosis, the tissue containing typical endometrial cells occurs abnormally in various locations outside the uterus. During menstruation this abnormally occurring endometrial tissue, like the lining of the uterus, undergoes cyclic bleeding. The blood in this endometrial tissue has no means of draining to the outside of the body. As a result, blood collects in the surrounding tissue, causing pain and discomfort.

Implications in Diving

Because endometriosis can cause increased bleeding, cramping, amount and duration of menstrual flow, diving may not be in a woman’s best interest when she experiences severe symptoms. Nevertheless, there is no evidence that a woman with endometriosis diving at other times is at any greater risk of diving-related disease than a person without this condition.

This is a surgical procedure in which the entire uterus is removed through the abdominal wall or through the vagina.

All that has been said about diving after a cesarean section (see “Return to Diving After Giving Birth,” above) applies to diving after general surgery, including a hysterectomy.

Women may resume diving after a hysterectomy, but they should wait until they have recovered general strength and fitness before they take the plunge – usually six to eight weeks, and sometimes longer.

Implications in Diving

As far as it relates to scuba diving, a hysterectomy is considered major surgery. It is recommended that anyone undergoing an abdominal surgery allow six to eight weeks of recovery before resuming diving. If the procedure is complicated in any way, by infection, anemia or other serious issues, it may be wise to further delay diving.

These recommendations apply to all types of hysterectomy:

• Removing the uterus abdominally (total abdominal hysterectomy);
• Removing the uterus vaginally (vaginal hysterectomy);
• Removing the uterus plus the tubes and ovaries (hysterectomy plus salpingo-oophorectomy);
• Removing the top of the uterus, but leaving the cervix intact (subtotal hysterectomy).

Silicone and saline implants are used for cosmetic enhancement or augmentation of the normal breast size and shape of reconstruction, particularly after radical breast surgery for cancer or trauma.

In one study, by Dr. Richard Vann, Vice President of Research at DAN, mammary (breast) implants were placed in the Duke University Medical Center hyperbaric chamber. The study did not simulate the implant in human tissue. Three types were tested: silicone-, saline-, and silicone-saline-filled. In this experiment, the researchers simulated various depth / time profiles of recreational scuba diving. Here’s what they found: There was an insignificant increase in bubble size (1 to 4 percent) in both saline and silicone gel implants, depending on the depth and duration of the dive. The least volume change occurred in the saline-filled implant, because nitrogen is less soluble in saline than silicone.

The silicone-saline-filled type showed the greatest volume change. Bubble formation in implants led to a small volume increase, which is not likely to damage the implants or surrounding tissue. If gas bubbles do form in the implant, they resolve over time.

Implications in Diving

Once sufficient time has passed after surgery, when the diver has resumed normal activities and there is no danger of infection, she may begin scuba diving.

Breast implants do not pose a problem to diving from the standpoint of gas absorption or changes in size and are not a contraindication for participation in recreational scuba diving.

Avoid buoyancy compensators with constrictive chest straps, which can put undue pressure on the seams and contribute to risk of rupture.

Additional Considerations:

Breast implants filled with saline are neutrally buoyant. Silicone implants are heavier than water, however, and they may alter buoyancy and attitude (trim) in the water, particularly if the implants are large. Appropriate training and appropriate adjustment of weights help overcome these difficulties.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a group of poorly understood and poorly defined psychophysiological symptoms experienced by many women (25 to 50 percent of women) at the end of the menstrual cycle, just prior to the menstrual flow.

PMS symptoms include mood swings, irritability, decreased mental alertness, tension, fatigue, depression, headaches, bloating, swelling, breast tenderness, joint pain and food cravings. Severe premenstrual syndrome has been found to exacerbate underlying emotional disorders. Although progesterone is used in some cases, no consistent, simple treatments are available.

Implications in Diving

Research has shown that accidents in general are more common among women during PMS. If women suffer from premenstrual syndrome, it may be wise to dive conservatively during this time. There is no scientific evidence, however, that they are more susceptible to decompression illness (DCI) or dive injuries/accidents.

Also, individuals with evidence of depression or antisocial tendencies should be evaluated for their fitness to participate in diving: they may pose a risk to themselves or a dive buddy.

Menstruation is the cyclic, physiologic discharge through the vagina of blood and mucosal tissues from the non-pregnant uterus. The cycle is controlled hormonally and usually occurs at approximately four-week intervals. Symptoms may include pain, fluid retention, abdominal cramping and backache.

Implications in Diving

Are women at greater risk of experiencing decompression illness (DCI) while menstruating? Theoretically, it is possible that, because of fluid retention and tissue swelling, women are less able to get rid of dissolved nitrogen. This is, however, not definitively proven.

One recent retrospective review of women divers (956 divers) with DCI found 38 percent were menstruating at the time of their injury. Additionally, 85 percent of those taking oral contraceptives were menstruating at the time of the accident. This suggests, but does not prove, that women taking oral contraceptives are at increased risk of decompression illness during menstruation. Therefore, it may be advisable for menstruating women to dive more conservatively, particularly if they are taking oral contraceptives. This could involve making fewer dives, shorter and shallower dives and making longer safety stops. Four other studies have provided evidence that women are at higher risk of DCI, and in one study of altitude bends, menses also appeared to be a risk factor for bends.

In general, diving while menstruating does not seem to be a problem as long as normal, vigorous exercise does not increase the menstrual symptoms. As long as the menstrual cycle poses no other symptoms or discomforts that affect her health, there is no reason that a menstruating female should not dive. However, based upon available data, it may be prudent for women taking oral contraceptives, particularly if they are menstruating, to reduce their dive exposure (depth, bottom time or number of dives per day).

An effective and widely used method of preventing pregnancy. There are several types of pills available and most contain a combination of synthetic estrogen-like and progesterone-like substances. These substances prevent the rise in luteinizing hormone, which leads to ovulation. Also, oral contraceptives thicken and chemically alter the cervical mucus, making the uterine endometrium less receptive to sperm.

Possible side effects of oral contraceptives during the initial therapy include nausea, vomiting, fluid retention, headaches and dizziness. Oral contraceptives may also be associated with an increase in blood pressure and an increased risk of thromboembolic disorders (development of clot-like vein occlusions, which can lead to an emboli).

Implications in Diving

It has been suggested that oral contraceptives may increase a diver’s susceptibility to decompression sickness (DCS) because of the hormonal changes, which may reduce venous tone and increase water retention. This could affect circulation and theoretically cause the blood to “sludge,” which may interfere with the elimination of nitrogen from the body. To date, no research has found evidence to support this belief.

In fact, unless oral contraceptives pose a clinical problem for women, there is no data to show that their use during recreational scuba diving is a contraindication.

Contraceptives

To date, there have not been a significant pool of women who:

• are post menopausal and at risk of osteoporosis (menopause average at 50, osteopenia at 60-65, and fractures starting at 70-75); and
• have a significant diving experience including appropriate number of dives at profound depth which put them at risk for osteonecrosis.

Therefore, we have no data on coincident osteoporosis and osteonecrosis in women at risk (or men for that matter).

Implications in Diving

The pathophysiologic mechanisms leading to osteoporosis and osteonecrosis are different. Osteoporosis results from decreases in osteoblast activity and relative increase of osteoclast activity, resulting in bone resorption and demineralization. The infarction of the microcirculation of bone is the triggering mechanism for osteonecrosis.

Women are at increased risk for osteoporosis given that their overall lifetime peak bone mass is lower than men’s and that the loss of estrogen during menopause greatly accelerates the rate of bone demineralization.

All we can say at this point is that women should dive as conservatively as possible, thereby trying to minimize their risks of osteonecrosis, so as not to impose this bone damaging disease on top of their already increased risk of fracture due to Type I estrogen-dependent osteoporosis.

Active Ingredients: diphenhydramine hydrochloride, triprolidine hydrolochloride, clemastine fumarate, brompheniramine maleate, chlorpheniramine maleate, pyrilamine maleate
Common Warnings: May cause drowsiness. Do not take this product if you are taking sedatives or tranquilizers, without first consulting your doctor. Use caution when driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery. May cause excitability, especially in children. Do not take this product, unless directed by a doctor, if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, thyroid disease, glaucoma, a breathing problem such as emphysema or difficulty in urination due to enlargement of the prostate gland.

Active Ingredients: pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride, phenylephrine hydrochloride, oxymetazoline hydrochloride, naphazoline hydrochloride
Common Warnings: Do not take this product if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, thyroid disease or difficulty in urination due to enlargement of the prostate gland except under the advice and supervision of a physician. Do not take this product if you are presently taking a prescription antihypertensive or antidepressant drug containing a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, except under the advice and supervision of a physician.

Active Ingredients: naproxen sodium, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, ketoprofen
Common Warnings: Do not take this product if you have stomach problems (such as heartburn, upset stomach or stomach pain) that persists or recurs, or if you have ulcers or bleeding problems, unless directed by a doctor. if you are taking a prescription drug for anticoagulation (thinning of blood), diabetes, gout or arthritis unless directed by a doctor.

Active Ingredients: meclizine hydrochloride, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, cyclizine
Common Warnings: Do not take this product if you have asthma, glaucoma, emphysema, chronic pulmonary disease, shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing or difficulty in urination due to enlargement of the prostate gland, unless directed by a doctor. Use caution when driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery. Not for frequent or prolonged use except on advice of a doctor.

Hyperbaric chambers, which can simulate the increased pressure of diving, have been used to test different species of animals. Those results must then be translated to the human experience.

Many complex processes occur during pregnancy, and insults (disruptions of normal events) can lead to varied complications. Most diving-related studies have addressed the first and third trimesters of pregnancy. First trimester research has concentrated on the teratogenic, or birth-defect-causing, effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO). Third trimester research has examined the effects of decompression sickness (DCS) on the fetus and how diving and the fetal circulatory system interact.

A range of developmental abnormalities have been associated with hyperbaric exposure. These include low birth weights among the offspring of diving mothers; fetal abortion; bubbles in the amniotic fluid; premature delivery; abnormal skull development; malformed limbs; abnormal development of the heart; changes in the fetal circulation; limb weakness associated with decompression sickness; and blindness.

We expose ourselves to hyperbaric oxygen — that is, oxygen concentrated by pressure — during almost all dives. A safe limit for the partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) is frequently accepted as 1.4 to 1.6 atmospheres of absolute pressure (ATA) 19.

Rodents, which have large litters and relatively short gestational periods, have been used to study the effects of HBO on developing fetuses. Female hamsters experiencing untreated DCS had offspring with severe limb and skull abnormalities.15,16 Pregnant hamsters experiencing HBO-treated decompression sickness also bore offspring with defects, though with less frequency than the untreated group. Neither study reported noticeable differences in anatomical development between offspring from the nondiving control group and the group that dived without developing signs of DCS.

Fetal rat hearts have proven sensitive to multi-hour HBO exposure (3.0 ATA for eight hours), albeit of a magnitude in excess of what humans could tolerate. In almost half the cases, the septum, which divides the right and left sides of the heart, failed to form properly. Major blood vessels were positioned incorrectly just as often, compromising normal circulatory patterns.

Another study of HBO-exposed rats found no significant differences between offspring from mothers that had dived and offspring from mothers that had not dived. The PO2 in this study (1.3 ATA for 70 minutes) was significantly less than that used in the previous study. The treatment difference may explain the dissimilar results.

It appears that hyperbaric exposure can alter the signals fetal tissues rely on to correctly orchestrate developmental processes. The nature of the abnormality is influenced by the timing of the insult. It is important to note, however, that exposure will not affect development in all instances.

The relative risk of decompression stress on mother and fetus is another question for consideration. Given sufficient decompression stress, blood returning to the heart from the body may contain venous gas emboli (VGE or bubbles). Sheep have been studied frequently because of the similarity between sheep- and human placentae. Fetal sheep whose mothers underwent decompression dives (following U.S. Navy dive tables) sometimes formed bubbles even when the mothers showed no signs of DCS.

When the ewes did develop signs of DCS, the fetuses demonstrated even more dramatic evidence of affliction. Researchers reported being able to tell that a fetus had bubbles by detecting early cardiac arrhythmias. For the fetus, these abnormal heartbeats could be lifethreatening. The offspring of some sheep that were dived late in pregnancy showed limb weakness and spinal defects associated with DCS, even when the mother had remained symptom-free.

Scientists have long known that so-called “silent bubbles” — those not associated with symptoms — can develop after diving (Note: Dr. Albert Behnke, a pioneer in modern diving medicine and physiology research, is credited for coining this term.) Fully functional lungs are extremely effective in filtering bubbles from the circulation. In the fetus, however, most blood bypasses the lungs (via the foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus shunts), and gas exchange occurs through the placenta. Thus, pulmonary filtration of bubbles does not occur within the fetus. This may increase the risk of arterial gas embolism (AGE), with potentially devastating consequences.

Fetal circulation requires further consideration. During a series of dives that exposed ewes to 100 percent oxygen at 3.0 ATA for approximately 50 minutes, researchers noticed that the circulatory shunts began to close while at depth. Flow through the foramen ovale dropped by 50 percent, and the ductus arteriosus flow fell to zero or even reversed direction2.

Once the dives were completed, the circulation reverted to its usual form, and the researchers did not notice any negative effects from the temporary change. Whether the fetus suffered consequences that were not obvious to the researchers was unclear.

The animal study data can be compared with human experience. Premature closure of the ductus arteriosus during human pregnancy has been associated with congestive heart failure and neonatal death. Such closure can unintentionally be induced by prolonged use of indomethacin, a drug commonly used to halt premature labor. Whether scuba diving could induce problematic closure is uncertain, but the possibility should be considered.

In addition to possible risk to the fetus, changes in a woman’s body during pregnancy might make diving more problematic. Swelling of the mucous membranes in the sinuses could make ear clearing difficult, and nausea may increase discomfort.

The physical aspects must also be appreciated. A woman’s growing abdomen could pose a problem in fitting suits, buoyancy compensation devices, weight belts and other equipment. In addition to the hazards inherent in poorly fitted gear, diving simply may not be enjoyable.

Sifting through the published literature reveals why there is debate over the topic. Data are limited and, in many cases, apparently inconsistent. While this makes drawing conclusions more difficult, it should not be surprising.

Science is very rarely as clear-cut as might be desired. It is difficult to design an ethical experiment that tests only the variable of interest and controls for all others. It is the researcher’s job to design the best experiments possible, and it is the individual’s or advocate’s responsibility to examine the results and decide how to best respond to them.

Anyone who inadvertently dives while pregnant, however, may take solace in the anecdotal evidence from women reporting repeated diving during pregnancy without complication. There is certainly insufficient evidence to warrant termination of a pregnancy. Moreover, if emergency hyperbaric oxygen is required during pregnancy, for example to treat carbon monoxide poisoning, the evidence suggests that the risk to the fetus with treatment is lower than without.

The overall picture of the literature indicates that, while the effect may be small, diving during pregnancy does increase the risk to the fetus, and the consequences could be devastating to all involved. Appreciating these essential factors, the prudent course is to avoid diving while pregnant. While it is possible that some diving could be completed without impact, the absolute risk of any given exposure cannot be determined from the available data. Given the ethical challenges of research on diving during pregnancy and the fact that diving represents a completely avoidable risk for most women, it is unlikely that studies will be conducted to establish the absolute risk in the foreseeable future.

Coral scrapes are among the most common injuries from marine life incurred by divers and snorkelers. The surface of coral is covered by soft living material, which is easily torn from the rigid (abrasive) structure underneath, and thus deposited into the scrape or cut. This greatly prolongs the wound-healing process by causing inflammation and, occasionally, initiating an infection. Cuts and scrapes from sharp-edged coral and barnacles tend to fester and may take weeks or even months to heal.

Treatment

1. Scrub the cut vigorously with soap and water, and then flush the wound with large amounts of water.
2. Flush the wound with a half-strength solution of hydrogen peroxide in water. Rinse again with water.
3. Apply a thin layer of bacitracin, mupirocin (Bactroban) or other similar antiseptic ointment, and cover the wound with a dry, sterile, and non-adherent dressing. If no ointment or dressing is available, the wound can be left open. Thereafter, it should be cleaned and re-dressed twice a day. If the wound develops a pus-laden crust, you may use “wet-to-dry” dressing changes to remove the upper non-healing layer in order to expose healthy, healing tissue. This is done by putting a dry sterile gauze pad over the wound (without any underlying ointment), soaking the gauze pad with saline or a dilute antiseptic solution (such as 1- to 5-percent povidone-iodine in disinfected water), allowing the liquid to dry, and then ripping the bandage off the wound. The dead and dying tissue adheres to the gauze and is lifted free. This method may be painful for the patient. The pink (hopefully), slightly bleeding tissue underneath should be healthy and healing. Dressings are changed once or twice a day. Wet-to-dry dressings are used for a few days, until they become non-adherent or the tissue appears infection-free. At that point, switch back to No. 3 above.
4. If the wound shows any sign of infection (extreme redness, pus, swollen lymph glands), the injured person (particularly one with impairment of his or her immune system) should be started by a qualified health professional on an antibiotic, taking into consideration the possibility of a Vibrio infection. Vibrio bacteria are found more often in the marine environment than on land, and can rapidly cause an overwhelming illness and even death in a human with an impaired immune system (e.g., someone with AIDS, diabetes or chronic liver disease). A common oral antibiotic that is usually effective against Vibrio species is ciprofloxacin (Cipro).

Coral poisoning occurs if coral abrasions or cuts are extensive or are from a particularly toxic species. Symptoms include a wound that heals poorly or continues to drain pus or cloudy fluid, swelling around the cut, swollen lymph glands, fever, chills and fatigue. If these symptoms are present, the injured person should see a physician, who may elect to treat the person with an antibiotic and/or corticosteroid medication.

Some sea urchins are covered with sharp venom-filled spines that can easily penetrate and break off into the skin. Others (found in the South Pacific) may have small pincer-like appendages that grasp their victims and inoculate them with venom from a sac within each pincer. Sea urchin punctures or stings are painful wounds, most often of the hands or feet. If a person receives many wounds simultaneously, the reaction may be so severe as to cause extreme muscle spasm, difficulty in breathing, weakness and collapse.

Treatment

1. Immerse the wound in non-scalding hot water to tolerance (110 to 113° F/43.3 to 45° C). This frequently provides pain relief. Other field remedies, such as application of vinegar or urine, are less likely to diminish the pain. If necessary, administer pain medication appropriate to control the pain.
2. Carefully remove any readily visible spines. Do not dig around in the skin to try to fish them out – this risks crushing the spines and making them more difficult to remove. Do not intentionally crush the spines. Purple or black markings in the skin immediately after a sea urchin encounter do not necessarily indicate the presence of a retained spine fragment. The discoloration more likely is dye leached from the surface of a spine, commonly from a black urchin (Diadema species). The dye will be absorbed over 24 to 48 hours, and the discoloration will disappear. If there are still black markings after 48 to 72 hours, then a spine fragment is likely present.
3. If the sting is caused by a species with pincer organs, use hot water immersion, then apply shaving cream or a soap paste and shave the area.
4. Seek the care of a physician if spines are retained in the hand or foot, or near a joint. They may need to be removed surgically, to minimize infection, inflammation and damage to nerves or important blood vessels.
5. If the wound shows any sign of infection (extreme redness, pus, swollen regional lymph glands) or if a spine has penetrated deeply into a joint, the injured person should be started by a qualified health professional on an antibiotic, taking into consideration the possibility of a Vibrio infection (see No. 4 under Coral Scrapes).
6. If a spine puncture in the palm of the hand results in a persistent swollen finger(s) without any sign of infection (fever, redness, swollen lymph glands in the elbow or armpit), then it may become necessary to treat the injured person with a seven- to 14-day course of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (e.g., ibuprofen) or, in a more severe case, with oral prednisone, a corticosteroid medication.

Lionfish (as well as scorpionfish and stonefish) possess dorsal, anal and pelvic spines that transport venom from venom glands into puncture wounds. Common reactions include redness or blanching, swelling, and blistering. The injuries can be extraordinarily painful and occasionally life-threatening (in the case of a stonefish).

Treatment

Soaking the wound in non-scalding hot water to tolerance (110 to 113° F/43.3 to 45° C):

• may provide dramatic relief of pain from a lionfish sting,
• is less likely to be effective for a scorpionfish sting, and
• may have little or no effect on the pain from a stonefish sting, but it should be done nonetheless, because the heat may inactivate some of the harmful components of the venom.

If the injured person appears intoxicated or is exhibiting signs of weakness, vomiting, short of breath or unconscious, seek immediate advanced medical care.

Wound care is standard, so, for the blistering wound noted above, appropriate therapy would be a topical antiseptic (such as silver sulfadiazene [Silvadene] cream or bacitracin ointment) and daily dressing changes. A scorpionfish sting frequently requires weeks to months to heal, and therefore requires the attention of a physician. There is an antivenin available to physicians to help manage the sting of the dreaded stonefish.

A stingray does its damage by lashing upward in defense with a muscular tail-like appendage, which carries up to four sharp, swordlike stingers. The stingers are supplied with venom, so that the injury created is both a deep puncture or laceration and an envenomation.

The pain from a stingray wound can be excruciating and accompanied by bleeding, weakness, vomiting, headache, fainting, shortness of breath, paralysis, collapse and occasionally, death. Most wounds involve the feet and legs, as unwary waders and swimmers tread upon the creatures hidden in the sand.

Treatment

1. Rinse the wound with whatever clean water is available. Immediately immerse the wound in non-scalding hot water to tolerance (110 to 113° F/43.3 to 45° C). This may provide some pain relief. Generally, it is necessary to soak the wound for 30 to 90 minutes in the hot water, but take care not to create a burn wound. Gently extract any obvious piece(s) of stinger.
2. Scrub the wound with soap and water. Do not try to sew or tape it closed – doing so could promote a serious infection by “sealing in” harmful bacteria.
3. Apply a dressing and seek medical help. If more than 12 hours will pass before a doctor can be reached, start the injured person on an antibiotic (ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or doxycycline) to oppose Vibrio bacteria.
4. Administer pain medication sufficient to control the pain.

Prevention of Stingray Injuries

• Always shuffle your feet when wading in stingray-infested waters.
• Always inspect the bottom before resting a limb in the sand.
• Never handle a stingray unless you know what you are doing or unless the stingrays are definitely familiar with divers and swimmers (e.g., the rays in “Stingray City” off Grand Cayman Island in the British West Indies). Even then, respect them for the wild creatures they are — the less you handle them, the better for them and for you, too.

Often misnamed “sea lice” (which are true crustacean parasites of fish, and which inflict miniscule bites), seabather’s eruption occurs in sea water and involves predominately bathing suit-covered areas of the skin, rather than exposed areas. The skin rash distribution is very similar to that from seaweed dermatitis (read below), but no seaweed is found on the skin.

The cause is stings from the nematocysts (stinging cells) of the larval forms of certain anemones, such as Linuche unguiculata, and from thimble jellyfishes. The injured person may notice a tingling sensation under the bathing suit (breasts, groin, cuffs of wetsuits) while still in the water, which is made much worse if he/she takes a freshwater rinse (shower) while still wearing the suit. The rash usually consists of red bumps, which may become dense and confluent. Itching is severe and may become painful.

Treatment

Treatment consists of immediate (for decontamination) application of vinegar or rubbing alcohol, although the relief may be minimal. Some persons note that topical papain (e.g., unseasoned meat tenderizer) and simultaneous brisk rubbing are effective. Others have noted relief from concentrated citrus (e.g., lime) juice applied to the skin. Topical calamine lotion with 1 percent menthol may be soothing. After decontamination, hydrocortisone lotion 1 percent twice a day may be minimally effective. More potent topical steroid preparations or oral prednisone may be prescribed by a physician to provide sufficient anti-inflammatory effect to quell the reaction somewhat. However, it is not uncommon for a patient to be miserable for a few days to two weeks.

If the reaction is severe, the injured person may suffer from headache, fever, chills, weakness, vomiting, itchy eyes and burning on urination, and should be treated with oral prednisone.

The stinging cells may remain in the bathing suit even after it dries, so once a person has sustained seabather’s eruption, the clothing should undergo machine washing or be thoroughly rinsed in alcohol or vinegar, then be washed by hand with soap and water.

Seabather’s eruption is easy to confuse with seaweed dermatitis. There are more than 3,000 species of algae, which range in size from 1 micron to 100 meters in length. The blue-green algae, Microcoleus lyngbyaceus, is a fine, hair-like plant that is found in the waters near Hawaii and Florida, and gets inside the bathing suit. Out of water, the skin under the suit remains in moist contact with the algae (the other skin dries or is rinsed off), and becomes red and itchy, with occasional blistering and/or weeping. The reaction may start a few minutes to a few hours after the victim leaves the water.

The Treatment

Treatment consists of a vigorous soap-and-water scrub, followed by a rinse with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. Apply 1 percent hydrocortisone lotion twice a day. If the reaction is severe, oral prednisone may be administered.

Also called “clamdigger’s itch,” swimmer’s itch is caused by skin contact with cercariae, which are the immature larval forms of parasitic schistosomes (flatworms) found throughout the world in both fresh and salt waters. Snails and birds are the intermediate hosts for the flatworms. They release hundreds of fork-tailed microscopic cercariae into the water.

The affliction is contracted when a film of cercariae-infested water dries on exposed (uncovered by clothing) skin. The cercariae penetrate the outer layer of the skin, where itching is noted within minutes. Shortly afterwards, the skin becomes reddened and swollen, with an intense rash and, occasionally, hives. Blisters may develop over the next 24 to 48 hours.

Untreated, the affliction is limited to 1 to 2 weeks. Persons who have suffered swimmer’s itch previously may be more severely affected on repeated exposures, which suggests that an allergic response may be a factor.

The Treatment

Swimmer’s itch can be prevented by briskly rubbing the skin with a towel immediately after leaving the water, to prevent the cercariae from having time to penetrate the skin. Once the reaction has occurred, the skin should be lightly rinsed with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and then coated with calamine lotion. If the reaction is severe, the injured person may be treated with oral prednisone.

Because the cercariae are present in greatest concentration in shallow, warmer water (where the snails are), swimmers should try to avoid these areas.

“Jellyfish” is the term commonly used to describe an enormous number of marine animals that are capable of inflicting a painful, and occasionally life-threatening, sting. These include fire coral, hydroids, jellyfishes (including “sea wasps“) and anemones. The stings occur when the victim comes into contact with the creature’s tentacles or other appendages, which may carry millions of small stinging cells, each equipped with venom and a microscopic stinger.

Depending on the species, size, geographic location, time of year and other natural factors, stings can range in severity from mild burning and skin redness to excruciating pain and severe blistering with generalized illness (nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, muscle spasm and low blood pressure). Broken-off tentacles that are fragmented in the surf or washed up on the beach can retain their toxicity for months and should not be handled, even if they appear to be dried out and withered.

The box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) of northern Australia contains one of the most potent animal venoms known to man. A sting from one of these creatures can induce death in minutes from cessation of breathing, abnormal heart rhythms and very low blood pressure (shock).

Treatment

Be prepared to treat an allergic reaction following a jellyfish sting. If possible, carry an allergy kit, including injectable epinephrine (adrenaline) and an oral antihistamine.

The following therapy is recommended for all unidentified jellyfish and other creatures with stinging cells:

1. If the sting is believed to be from the box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri), immediately flood the wound with vinegar (5 percent acetic acid). Keep the injured person as still as possible. Continuously apply the vinegar until the individual can be brought to medical attention. If you are out at sea or on an isolated beach, allow the vinegar to soak the tentacles or stung skin for 10 minutes before attempting to remove adherent tentacles or to further treat the wound. In Australia, surf lifesavers (lifeguards) may carry antivenin, which is given as an intramuscular injection.
2. For all other stings, if a topical decontaminant (e.g., vinegar, isopropyl [rubbing] alcohol, one-quarter-strength household ammonia, or baking soda) is available, apply it liberally onto the skin. If it is a liquid, continuously soak a compress. (Be advised that some authorities advise against the use of alcohol because of scientific evaluations that have revealed that some nematocysts discharge because of this chemical’s application.) Since not all jellyfish are identical, it is extremely helpful to know ahead of time what works for the stingers in your specific geographic location. Apply the decontaminant for 30 minutes or until pain is relieved. A paste made from unseasoned meat tenderizer (do not exceed 15 minutes’ application time, particularly upon the sensitive skin of small children) or papaya fruit may be helpful. Concentrated citrus (e.g., lime) juice may be helpful. Do not apply any organic solvent, such as kerosene, turpentine or gasoline. Until the decontaminant is available, you may rinse the skin with sea water. Do not simply rinse the skin gently with fresh water or apply ice directly to the skin. A brisk freshwater stream (forceful shower) may have sufficient force to physically remove the microscopic stinging cells, but non-forceful application is more likely to cause the cells to fire, increasing the envenomation. A non-moist ice or cold pack may be useful to diminish pain, but take care to wipe away any surface moisture (condensation) prior to the application.
3. After decontamination, apply a lather of shaving cream or soap and shave the affected area with a razor. In a pinch, you can use a paste of sand or mud in sea water and a clamshell.
4. Reapply the primary decontaminant for 15 minutes.
5. Apply a thin coating of hydrocortisone lotion (0.5 to 1 percent) twice a day. Anesthetic ointment (such as lidocaine hydrochloride 2.5 percent or a benzocaine-containing spray) may provide short-term pain relief.
6. If the victim has a large area involved (entire arm or leg, face, or genitals), is very young or very old, or shows signs of generalized illness (nausea, vomiting, weakness, shortness of breath or chest pain), seek help from a doctor. If a person has placed tentacle fragments in his mouth, have him swish and spit whatever potable liquid is available. If there is already swelling in the mouth (muffled voice, difficulty swallowing, enlarged tongue and lips), do not give anything by mouth, protect the airway and rapidly transport the victim to a hospital.

Ciguatera fish poisoning involves a large number of tropical and semitropical bottom-feeding fish that dine on plants or smaller fish, which have accumulated toxins from microscopic dinoflagellates, such as Gambierdiscus toxicus. Therefore, the larger the fish, the greater the toxicity. The ciguatoxin-carrying fish most commonly ingested include the jack, barracuda, grouper and snapper.

Symptoms, which usually begin 15 to 30 minutes after eating the contaminated fish, include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tongue and throat numbness, tooth pain, difficulty in walking, blurred vision, skin rash, itching, tearing of the eyes, weakness, twitching muscles, incoordination, difficulty sleeping and occasional difficulty in breathing. A classic sign of ciguatera intoxication is the reversal of hot and cold sensations (hot liquids seem cold and vice versa), which may reflect general hypersensitivity to temperature.

Persons can become severely ill shortly after they are poisoned, with heart problems, low blood pressure, deficiencies of the central and peripheral nervous systems, and generalized collapse. Unfortunately, many of the debilitating, but not life-threatening, symptoms may persist in varying severity for weeks to months.

Treatment

Treatment is for the most part based upon symptoms without any specific antidote, although certain drugs are beginning to prove useful for aspects of the syndrome, such as intravenous mannitol for abnormal nervous system behavior and abnormal heart rhythms. A physician must undertake these therapies.

Prochlorperazine may be useful for vomiting; hydroxyzine or cool showers may be useful for itching. There are chemical tests to determine the presence of ciguatoxins in fish and in the bloodstream of humans, but not yet a specific antidote. If a person displays symptoms of ciguatera fish poisoning, they should be see a physician promptly.

During recovery from ciguatera poisoning, the affected person should exclude the following from their regular diet: fish, fish sauces, shellfish, shellfish sauces, alcoholic beverages, nuts and nut oils.