Seabather's Eruption Medication

  • Author: Clarence William Brown Jr, MD; Chief Editor: William D James, MD   more...
 
Updated: Mar 28, 2012
 

Medication Summary

High-potency topical steroids in combination with oral antihistamines are typically used in treating the cutaneous manifestations of seabather's eruption. Systemic corticosteroids should be reserved for patients with severe rash or pronounced associated systemic symptoms.

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Corticosteroids

Class Summary

These agents have anti-inflammatory properties and cause profound and varied metabolic effects. In addition, these agents modify the body's immune response to diverse stimuli. They are effective in quickly reducing inflammation and pruritus.

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Clobetasol (Temovate)

 

Class I superpotent topical steroid; suppresses mitosis and increases synthesis of proteins that decrease inflammation and cause vasoconstriction. Potent anti-inflammatory properties. Do not use in groin, axilla, or face.

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Antihistamines

Class Summary

These agents prevent histamine response in sensory nerve endings and blood vessels. They are more effective in preventing histamine response than in reversing it. They also reduce pruritus.

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Loratadine (Claritin)

 

Second-generation antihistamine with very low risk of sedation. Selectively inhibits peripheral histamine H1 receptors.

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Cetirizine (Zyrtec)

 

Second-generation antihistamine with low risk of sedation. Forms complex with histamine for H1 receptor sites in blood vessels, GI tract, and respiratory tract.

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Desloratadine (Clarinex)

 

Long-acting tricyclic histamine antagonist selective for H1 receptor. Relieves nasal congestion and systemic effects of seasonal allergy. Is a major metabolite of loratadine, which, after ingestion, is metabolized extensively to active metabolite 3-hydroxydesloratadine.

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Antihistamine, H1 Blocker

Class Summary

Fexofenadine is a selective antihistamine used to relieve seasonal allergy symptoms (including sneezing, runny nose, itching, and watery eyes) and pruritus. Fexofenadine is available alone and in a combination product

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Fexofenadine (Allegra)

 

Competes with histamine for H1 receptors in GI tract, blood vessels, and respiratory tract, reducing hypersensitivity reactions. Does not sedate. Available as 30-, 60-, or 180-mg tab. Allegra ODT tab formulated for disintegration in mouth immediately following administration. Each orally disintegrating tab contains 30 mg fexofenadine hydrochloride. Allegra oral susp contains 6 mg fexofenadine hydrochloride per mL or 30 mg/5 mL.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Clarence William Brown Jr, MD  Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Dermatologic and Mohs Micrographic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center

Clarence William Brown Jr, MD, is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology, American Medical Association, Chicago Dermatological Society, Chicago Medical Society, Illinois Dermatological Society, and Illinois State Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Carrie L Kovarik, MD  Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Dermatopathology, and Infectious Diseases, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Carrie L Kovarik, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Richard P Vinson, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA

Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jeffrey P Callen, MD  Professor of Medicine (Dermatology), Chief, Division of Dermatology, University of Louisville School of Medicine

Jeffrey P Callen, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and American College of Rheumatology

Disclosure: Amgen Honoraria Consulting; Celgene Honoraria Safety Monitoring Committee

Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE  Medical Director, Clinical Studies Unit, Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Associate Scholar, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania

Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE is a member of the following medical societies: Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: AMGEN Consulting fee Consulting; AMGEN Grant/research funds Investigator; Genentech Grant/research funds investigator; Centocor Consulting fee Consulting; Abbott Grant/research funds investigator; Abbott Consulting fee Consulting; Novartis investigator; Pfizer Grant/research funds investigator; Celgene Consulting fee DMC Chair; NIAMS and NHLBI Grant/research funds investigator

Chief Editor

William D James, MD  Paul R Gross Professor of Dermatology, Vice-Chairman, Residency Program Director, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

William D James, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Elsevier Royalty Other

References

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  2. Kumar S, Hlady WG, Malecki JM. Risk factors for seabather's eruption: a prospective cohort study. Public Health Rep. Jan-Feb 1997;112(1):59-62. [Medline].

  3. Freudenthal AR, Joseph PR. Seabather's eruption. N Engl J Med. Aug 19 1993;329(8):542-4. [Medline].

  4. Wong DE, Meinking TL, Rosen LB, Taplin D, Hogan DJ, Burnett JW. Seabather's eruption. Clinical, histologic, and immunologic features. J Am Acad Dermatol. Mar 1994;30(3):399-406. [Medline].

  5. Bernhardt MJ, Mandojana RM. "Seabather's eruption". Clin Dermatol. Jul-Sep 1987;5(3):101-2. [Medline].

  6. Burnett JW, Calton GJ, Burnett HW. Jellyfish envenomation syndromes. J Am Acad Dermatol. Jan 1986;14(1):100-6. [Medline].

  7. Fisher AA. Toxic and allergic cutaneous reactions to jellyfish with special reference to delayed reactions. Cutis. Oct 1987;40(4):303-5. [Medline].

  8. Kettle M. Americans adrift in an ocean of fears. The Guardian Weekly. February 8, 2001:Available at http://www.vuw.ac.nz/~caplabtb/dprk/adrift.html.

  9. Letot B, Kharfi M, Mandojana R, Piérard GE. [Undesirable reactions from contact with marine organisms]. Rev Med Liege. Jun 2000;55(6):531-7. [Medline].

  10. Mandojana RM, Letot B. Historical outlook of aquatic biotoxicology and balneology as related to dermatology. Classification of aquatic dermatoses. Clin Dermatol. Jul-Sep 1987;5(3):1-7. [Medline].

  11. Mandojana RM, Sims JK. Miscellaneous dermatoses associated with the aquatic environment. Clin Dermatol. Jul-Sep 1987;5(3):134-45. [Medline].

 
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