Hawaii Skin Diver The Breath of Freedivers

"No-see-ums" can fall into a really big range of small gelatinous critters that can sting. You were probably just in the wrong place at the wrong time and ran into them. A lot of time these critters are tide and/or wind driven. Try a google of "gelatinous zooplankton" to see what kind of things pop up.

shallowman...the polyps grew off of small settling plates (pieces of shell, plastic, acrylic) on all exposed surfaces. The "ephyrae" are maybe 1/8" across when they bud off. They grow as fast as they can according to available food.

Thanks for the input. I did not feel anything like a sting, so I guess it couldn't have been a jellyfish. Maybe the gelatinous zooplankton were the culprits. Either way, not something I want to go through again.

Has anyone heard of irukandji syndrome? If nothiogn else I've found out a lot more about the world of jellyfish than I ever knew before.

irukandji is found in Australia and, I believe, a type of little box jelly.

Here's a quick question - I see a lot of talk on here about jellies and some minor mentions of reef-scrapes causing irritation. I know the best prevention if you get a rash from da kine is a full-suit, but what about treating the itch once you get it?
I was out shelling with my girl at canoe beach yesterday and I brought my spear just in case - sure enough we came across a MONSTER Uhu and I quickly hid behind a rock. Once it got close I moved forward a bit to get a shot with my 3 prong and just dragged my bare chest against the coral. Got a bit of a scrape on my arm too.
The chest I'm dealing with like any other reef cut but it's the scrape on the arm that's driving me NUTS! Theres not even really a laceration, it's just a small scrape that's now swollen and itchy as all hell.

Any ideas? Should I just slather it up with aloe or is there something that will actually ease the irritation?? I know its from the reef but nothing I try (aloe, neosporne, saline solution, gold-bond) seems to stop the urge I'm having to just peel the skin right off my arm.

sorry kinda late reply but...

If this happens again, when you get out and go home, try to lightly scrub out the wound with soapy water. This should take out any bits that may have gotten stuck. Then treat like any other scrape....hydrogen peroxide, antibiotics, whatever you use normally.

On the other hand, you might have lightly brushed up against hydroids. (you can google that one) They usually have a pretty irritating and lingering sting. It itches like heck and when you start scratching, they can get infected. Best to use some sort of anti-itch in conjunction with antibiotics.