Community
New Products Available
To Relieve Sea Itch
Several of Cayman's water-sports operations have reported casesof sea itch plaguing customers this week.
However, according to the President of UnderwaterSupply Limited, Mr. Jim Dailey, "it's time to fight back."
Mr. Dailey, said several new inexpensiveproducts are available locally that provide safe, immediate relieffrom the aggravating discomfort caused by sea itch, also knownas sea lice.
These are different names for the same microscopiclarvae of the Thimble Jellyfish, which has a range from the Caribbeanto Florida. Swimmers and divers can now take comfort knowing thatthey don't have to suffer the relentless itching and burning anylonger.
These sea itch remedies include:
Lands End Oil, this product made its debutat the 2001 DEMA show. This revolutionary, all-natural odorlessointment relieves the itching and burning of sea lice within minuteson most people. It also helps reduce swelling and redness to preventany scarring. It was developed by Boynton Beach, Florida-basedInternational Ozone after extensive research and development especiallyfor first aid relief from Portuguese Man o War and sea lice, commonalong Florida's coast this time of year. Easy to pack in any beachbag or dive bag, each tiny half-ounce bottles provide two completefull body applications for an average adult, and retail for CI$6.
WipeAway Jelly Fish Sting Medicated FirstAid Gel comes in convenient foil 2-application packs and is anotherexcellent topical ointment made with aloe vera. It delivers quickrelief from sea itch; jellyfish stings and even sand flies. Asimilar product, Wipe Away Fire Ant Sting gel provides the sameremedy for bites by that tropical pest. Both retail for CI$5.
Sawyer Products Itch Balm Plus was developedalmost 50 years ago by medical doctors and toxicologists for useby lifeguards in Florida for treatment of jellyfish stings andlater discovered by divers as a great remedy for fire coral stings.It also works on fire ants, sand flies, and many other skin irritations.It was a well-kept secret seldom marketed to the Caribbean watersportsindustry. It comes in 1-ounce plastic tubes and retails for CI$8- a tiny dab works wonders.
According to Jim Dailey, diving pioneerof over 40-years and veteran sea itch survivor, these productsare the best on the market and they work. That's why his companystocks them and distributes them through dive shops and retailstores in the Cayman Islands.
However, he cautioned that anyone with knownallergies or serious reactions to marine, fire ant or any kindof animal sting or bite should seek medical attention immediately.He also advised against such "home remedies" as hydrogenperoxide, witch hazel, rubbing alcohol, meat tenderizer (containingpapaya enzymes) ammonia - even turpentine and gasoline! Thesedo not work and can cause serious complications and infectionson stings aggravated by scratching.