Table of contents:
- What are the health problems that arise after swimming in the sea?
- 1. Diarrhea
- 2. Botulism
- 3. Otitis external ear infection
- 4. Seabather's eruption
Going to the beach is really fun. You can enjoy the waves, play in the sand, bask in the sun, watch the beautiful sunset, or swim in the sea. But wait, if you like swimming in the sea, make sure you are safe first. Safe from what? Drowned? No, it is safe from health problems that you can experience after swimming in the sea.
What are the health problems that arise after swimming in the sea?
1. Diarrhea
Have you ever imagined having diarrhea after swimming in the sea? Of course no one wants this to happen. The reason is, diarrhea is usually caused by consumption of food that is not clean enough. Well, apparently swimming in the sea can cause you to experience diarrhea.
When you accidentally or accidentally swallow sea water that is contaminated with bacteria that cause diarrhea, you can get diarrhea. The bacteria that cause diarrhea in the sea include Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Shigella, Norovirus, and E. coli. This bacteria can be transmitted by someone who has diarrhea (or has been sick in the last two weeks) and enters seawater to swim.
Cryptosporidum bacteria are the most common bacteria that cause diarrhea after swimming. These bacteria can stay alive for days. According to Mindy Benson, a nurse and assistant professor at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in the United States (US), animals in seawater can also spread these germs. To make sure you're safe, make sure you shower with soap right after swimming in the ocean.
Diarrhea that is transmitted through water can last two to three weeks. This condition can cause serious dehydration, sometimes even life threatening. If you experience diarrhea that is bloody or that lasts five days or more with fever, consult a doctor immediately.
Dry mouth, chapped lips, reddened skin, headache, confusion, or urinating less than four times a day, also indicate that you should seek medical attention immediately after swimming in the sea.
2. Botulism
Botulism is a serious poisoning condition caused by the toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. Clostridium botulinum bacteria can be found in soil, dust, rivers, and the seabed.
These bacteria are actually harmless under normal environmental conditions. However, when they are deprived of oxygen they will release their poison. Clostridium botulinum bacteria will lack oxygen when in closed cans, bottles, sludge and immovable soil, or in the human body.
The toxins produced by these bacteria attack the nervous system such as the brain, spine, and other nerves, and cause muscle paralysis. Paralysis that occurs can attack the muscles that control breathing, this can be deadly and must be treated immediately.
These bacteria can usually enter the body through food or through wounds on the body. These bacteria can also be spread by dead marine animals.
So, don't move any dead animals you find at sea or on the beach by hand. It is best if you call the lifeguard to inform you of this. You also should not swim if there are many animals that are dead or floating on the surface of the sea.
3. Otitis external ear infection
External otitis is an inflammation of the outer ear canal (outer ear hole to eardrum). The main symptoms are swelling, redness, pain, and a feeling of pressure from the inside of the ear.
Apart from these symptoms, otitis externa can also cause the following symptoms.
- Itchy ears
- Watery ears
- The skin around the outer ear canal appears scaly and sometimes accompanied by peeling
- Hearing is reduced due to thick, dry skin in the ear canal
- If the infection attacks the hair follicles in the ear, the appearance of a pimple-like wound
- Pain accompanied by swelling of the throat
If you suffer from otitis externa which is accompanied by the appearance of "pimples" in the ear canal, do not squeeze it because it is feared that it could spread the infection.
External otitis is usually caused by bacteria. Fungi and viruses can also cause this disease. In general, these bacteria or fungi infect the soft skin of the outer ear canal that has been irritated by water. That's why otitis externa is often referred to as "swimmer's ear", because it most likely occurs after swimming in the sea.
4. Seabather's eruption
Have you ever heard of this disease? The name of this disease may be unfamiliar to your ear, but from now on for those of you who like swimming, be careful with this disease.
Seabather's eruption is a rash on the skin caused by larvae that live in the sea. The larvae that cause seabather's eruption are thimble jellyfish (Linuche Unguiculata) and sea anemones (Edwardsiella lineata).
Not long after being stung by these larvae, usually swimmers will experience discomfort in the skin and a few minutes after that or at most 12 hours, swimmers will experience reddish skin accompanied by itching.
You can also feel headaches, nausea, and vomiting. The rash often appears on closed body parts, this is because the larvae can get into your bathing suit. if you feel itchy after swimming in the sea, don't scratch it. Scratching will only make the rash worse.
Take off your swimsuit as soon as possible, do not shower in a swimsuit, as this will not help. Use soap and gently rub it all over your body. If the condition does not improve, see a doctor immediately.
