The island trip during the summer vacation should have been the most anticipated happy time for the 10-year-old girl Xiao Ming. With the blue water and soft sand, she and her friends chased the waves, picked up shells, and laughed all over the coastline. But two days before the return trip, her mother noticed that Xiao Ming always scratched her right calf from time to time.

"Did you get bitten by a mosquito?" Mom didn't take it seriously at first. Xiao Ming did have a few small red rashes on his calves, like he was sunburned. They felt a little hot, but Xiao Ming said they didn't itch or hurt. Mom applied some aloe vera gel she brought with her, thinking it would heal in two days.

However, after returning home, the situation changed quietly. The rash that was originally only on the calf seemed to have grown legs within a few days, quickly spreading upward to the thigh, and even on the left arm. Xiao Ming began to be listless, and her face flushed. When her mother touched her forehead, it was a little hot! When she took the temperature with a thermometer, it was a low-grade fever (37.8℃). When she touched her legs again, the skin temperature was obviously higher than in other places. What worried her mother the most was the condition of Xiao Ming's legs. Large patches of red papules were densely connected into one piece; the color was bright red, extending from the ankles to the thigh roots, which made people feel nervous.

Emergency medical attention

The mother did not dare to delay and immediately took Xiao Ming to the dermatology department of the Children's Hospital. The doctor carefully asked about Xiao Ming's activities at the beach, especially the details of his contact with sea water, and carefully examined the spreading erythema and fever symptoms.

"The child was probably exposed to toxins or irritants released by some marine life in the sea, which caused allergic and inflammatory reactions in the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Now it has developed into a relatively widespread contact dermatitis, accompanied by local infection." The doctor added solemnly, "And judging from the time of onset and the spread of symptoms, the course of the disease is quite long. We also need to draw blood to see if the inflammation has affected other body functions (such as the liver)."

The examination results confirmed the doctor's concerns - Xiao Ming not only had obvious skin inflammation, but blood tests also found mild abnormalities in liver function indicators (such as transaminase), suggesting that the small liver was under additional burden when dealing with this "accidental contact".

What "little assassins" are hiding among the waves on the beach?

When playing at the beach, some inconspicuous little creatures may accidentally "touch" us and cause discomfort:

Jellyfish (especially small Portuguese man-of-war, sand jellyfish, etc.): Their transparent bodies are difficult to detect, and their long tentacles are covered with tiny stinging cells. A slight touch will release toxins, making people feel like being burned or electrocuted, and causing redness, swelling, and cord-like scars (like whip marks) on the skin, which are painful and itchy.

Stonefish/scorpionfish: They are masters of camouflage and look exactly like rocks and sand. If you accidentally step on the sharp stinger on their back, it will be very painful, and the area around the wound will swell up quickly.

Sea urchins: small black balls of thorns, sometimes hidden in shallow water sand or reef crevices. If you step on them, the thorns can easily break off and pierce your skin, causing pain and prone to infection.

Other unknown small creatures: The bite or sting may cause severe pain, rapid swelling, heat, numbness, nausea, and dizziness. If a severe allergic reaction occurs (such as large hives, difficulty breathing, and tightness in the throat), pay attention immediately!

Safety tips for beach trips

Wear small boots: In reef areas or places where you feel there may be something under the sand, put on thick rubber-soled diving socks or wading shoes for children to effectively prevent sea urchins and stonefish from stabbing their feet.

Watch but don't touch: Tell your children that strange creatures in the sea and on the beach (alive, dead, or even things that look like plastic bags) can only be looked at, and never touched, grabbed, or stepped on. Floating transparent "jelly" is likely to be a jellyfish! Small stones of strange colors in the sand may also be stonefish!

Pay attention to tides and signs: Before entering the water, check the beach to see if there are warning flags (such as red flags for danger) and signs about the presence of jellyfish and other creatures. Be especially careful when exploring the intertidal zone at low tide.

Bring a first aid kit: simple disinfectant wipes (alcohol-free), a small bottle of drinking water, Band-Aids, and cooling patches, which are very useful at critical moments. Families with conditions can prepare a small bottle of edible white vinegar (for certain jellyfish).

This experience made the whole family remember it. Enjoying the joy of sunshine and beach, safety awareness and timely observation and treatment, scientific response, and timely seeking medical help can make a happy holiday without regrets. For more information on Innomed®PU Film Wound Dressing, refer to the Previous Articles. If you have customized needs, you are welcome to contact us; You Wholeheartedly. At longterm medical, we transform this data by Innovating and Developing Products that Make Life easier for those who need loving care.

Editor: kiki Jia