Boerner Kimberly, Bachu Anita, Rubenstein Richard
Dermatology, Skin Science, Phoenix, USA.
Dermatology, Larkin Community Hospital Palm Springs Campus, Hialeah, USA.
Cureus. 2025 Apr 6;17(4):e81809. doi: 10.7759/cureus.81809. eCollection 2025 Apr.
As more people come into contact with seawater and freshwater bodies each year, medical providers are increasingly likely to encounter cases of aquatic dermatitis. The cutaneous manifestations caused by marine organisms can range from a pruritic, macular rash to a painful, vesicular eruption. Some conditions, such as those resulting from jellyfish envenomation, present with a distinct pattern allowing precise diagnosis and treatment. However, other conditions, such as swimmer's itch, may cause vague dermatitis, making diagnosis more challenging. Determining the etiology can aid in the overall management and treatment of these patients.