Article: Mystery Rash Blamed On Florida Sea Lice

How to avoid sea lice: Wear a skimpy swimsuit.

Researchers are closing in on the cause of a painful, itchy rash that hit about 10,000 Florida swimmers last year.

The rash seems to be caused by sea lice, or jellyfish larvae, trapped between skin and swimsuit, said Dr. Robert Tomchik in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

So a smaller swimsuit should mean fewer stings.

"The larger suits trap more larvae," said Tomchik, a Florida health department epidemiologist. T-shirts especially are not a good idea when sea lice are around.

He also advises taking off swimwear and showering as soon as you

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