Expert: Drew Wilmoth - 5/26/2007

Question
Hi Drew, I have a itching problem, I was in Cayman about two days ago and when I was on the airplane I notice several small red bumps from the knees on down.  Well a day after I arrived in Colorado I started to itch severely.  Now they itch like crazy and are huge.>kjj   Do you by chance know what I'M dealing with and any remedies to help..   You would be a life saver.   Thank You!!!

Answer
I suspect three possibilities, and in order of likelihood they are:

1) Mosquitoes have surged within the last few weeks following some heavy rains which produced plenty of pools of standing water for them to breed.  I think this is the most likely possibility, even though you only describe bites from the knees on down.  If you spent much time outdoors around dawn or sunset you were most likely exposed to lots of these hungry pests.

2) Sand fleas are well known for producing irritating rashes.  If you spent a lot of time on the beach, particularly enjoying the feeling of sand between you toes, then you may have been bitten by these bugs.  Usually the reaction is nearly immediate and subsides after a few days.  Your experience of the itching being worse afterwards is a bit odd if this is the culprit.

3) Thimble jellyfish pass through the Cayman waters in the spring.  Reports are that peak exposures have already passed, and the distribution of the rash does not seem likely for you case.  Still, if you were snorkeling a lot and either wearing a shorty wetsuit or else had applied sunscreen to all but your legs, then this is a possibility.

The good news is that treatment is pretty much the same regardless.  Treat the symptoms with topical hydrocortisone cream to reduce the itching and try not the scratch!  Taking some antihistamine by mouth (such as Benadryl) may help as well.  Application of HOT compresses can help break down the chemicals that your body is reacting against.

The final possibility is that you are simply suffering withdrawal symptoms, suddenly lacking in sun, sand , and surf.  The only cure is another trip.