Lifeguards address “sea lice” scare in Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, Md. – A recent problem in Ocean City has had beach goers worried about getting a rash when they hit the waves.

Originally some thought they were getting sea lice, but life guards say it’s actually something called sea bather’s eruption.

It’s a rash that is caused by small anemone and jellyfish larvae containing stinging cells that come in contact with your skin while you’re in the water.

Ocean City Beach Patrol says the itchy rash is nothing too worry about and all you need to do is to take a shower to rinse off the larvae.

If the itchiness is still there you can use an anti-histamine like Benadryl. Beach Patrol says the reason for the larvae is because the water this time of year is warm.

Butch Arbin, Captain of Ocean City Beach patrol said, “The ocean is not very rough, the water is very very warm. It’s the perfect condition for them.”

Arbin also said, “Once you’re out of the water and you rinse off. It’s over.”