Ocean's Salt Can Hurt?!

[Camazotz]

Well, yesterday, I spent like 3 and a half hours in the ocean. During this time, my scrotum and thighs were burning and hurting badly. Today, there are little dots on my thighs that are red(blood I think) They dont hurt at all now, but they were pretty bad. And for my scrotum, it barely hurts, but it was TERRIBLE yesterday.

Is this normal? Or should I be concerned?

[MoveAlong]

It could be ingrown hairs or a minor rash.

If you have open skin, the salt might sting a bit. It's only been a day...just wait for it to go away! It's not exactly normal to have this and isn't common whenever anybody goes for a swim in the ocean. Just take it easy, stay out of the water, shower properly and put some lotion on it if it itches. If it gets worse over the next 3 days, see a doctor.

This'll probably cause no ongoing problems! :D If it happens again once you go for another swim, consult a doctor so you can definately tell what these are.

[JoshDude]

Happens to me too. It is the salty water and salty sand clashing with your body that causes the effect.

[Archduke Robert of France]

Happens to me too. It is the salty water and salty sand clashing with your body that causes the effect.

Yeah, he's right. It's the friction of the sand against your most private areas. I live in Hawaii so I would know. You can wear compression shorts of something like that to mitigate the irritation.

[MoveAlong]

Heh, my bad >.< Although I do stand by taking it easy and put some lotion on it if it itches

Serves me right for not ever swimming in the ocean I guess ^.^

[Camazotz]

Ok thanks! Its been 2 days, and it's gone. I was wondering why though

[Antares]

I went to a lake weeks ago and I had the same problem. Eventhough I did not get bumps of red i felt pain. I think you should be fine becuase now i feel fine. and i think that the bumps may be from the cells interacting with the salt for a prolonged period of time. so yeah keep an eye on it and if it dosnet feel better in 2 days then go doccing lol!

[Camazotz]

Thanks! The pain is completely gone, and the marks are almost gone. And I think youre right about the skin cells interacting with the salt.

[Archduke Robert of France]

Or, to accurately determine wether or not it is the salt that is causing the irritation, you could swim in a river or something with lots of sand in it. Of course, you'd have to keep kicking it up because I doubt it would have waves, unless it was a lake of course. Unfortunately, I've never swam in a lake before so I wouldn't know. I was in a fresh water stream once in the mountains and it was full of rocks and moss and a huge waterfall at the end. I didn't stay in for too long though.

[Vengeance]

It sounded like some intense chaffing. That can happen in the ocean, with the dirty water, the salt, and sand, all combined with the netting of a swimsuit can lead to some harsh pain. Good to hear it's all cleared up though, I hate the feeling.

[Crazysam]

I get a really itchy feeling around my thigh areas as well it does not sound as bad as you have it though... I reckon its probally just because were a bit allergic to something or some chemical in the water :)