Cutaneous Disorders Due to Exposures to Marine Life: A Simple Review

Exposure to aquatic organisms includes a variety of clinical situations. Skin damage after exposure to the marine environment includes bacterial and fungal infections as well as damage caused by aquatic plants and protists. Aquatic skin diseases are various skin diseases found among swimmers, divers, fishermen and tourists participating in water activities. Some conditions are particularly relevant to fresh or salt water, while other conditions may occur in both environments at the same time. Injuries can be divided into several general categories. There may also be overlapping, non-infected mechanical damage, infection after mechanical damage, and mechanical damage accompanied by inoculation of poisons or substances with sensitizing properties. The clinical manifestations of skin diseases generally include erythema, blisters, urticaria, edema, scars, pigment changes and paresthesias. General management is achieved through the application of first aid as well as diagnostic imaging and tetanus prevention.