Dalhousie Spring skin rash

alot of groundwater is high in sulphur. The groundwater from the stations around the birdsville track actually reek like rotton eggs.
Sulphur is a common allergen. i used to break out in a rash when mixing sausage emulsion due to the sulphur dioxide preservative.

Even now at work i get rashes due to the high sulphide content of minerlised rock dust

Fireflash

I recently took prednisolone to treat a bout of Bells Palsy and after completing the week long course and having a shower one night I developed a massive hive type rash (apparently the Bells and the hives possibly stress linked). I found the best relief came from taking Telfast and then heaps of Vitamin B (Berocca), bananas for potassium and multi-vitamin for magnesium - cleaned it up real quick - heaps of info on the web.

They also gave me a cortizone type topical cream so I could get some sleep without scratching myself to death

Worth a try

Cheers

A

Hi Fireflash

Been up to Dalhousie numerous times but the first time we had same thing happen. Camped for 2 nights on way to Alice, early morning swim and then departed. Drip dry.

1 week later at Yulara all 4 of us came out in rashes, some worse than other but some of them were in form of blood blisters that would rise and burst (mine, on back of right hand while driving).

At the time medical staff at Yulara had no idea but I suggest that it's because we didn't dry off allowing whatever bugs were present to get their hooks into us.

No problems with subsequent visits but we towelled off.

I have also seen similar at Morgan (SA) when drip dry method used and rashes formed later.

If you check member Ruth's comments and warnings, from past years, you will find this issue has been well discussed on this site.

As always there is a bit of conjecture. I certainly experienced that type of issue during / after our trip in April last year.

cheers JD

I am glad this has only been brought up now, might be hesitant to go in again. We had a swim there two weeks ago without any problems, had a shower at Purnie Bore and then went 3 nights without a shower. Probably some people react to somethings while others dont.
Dean

Fireflash,

have your doctors ruled out shingles?

Hiya Fireflash

You sure it wasn't just coincidence and it just happened,maybe something you ate,washing detergent different etc etc or it may hav come from the supply at Flinders [Rawnsley Park]

This type of thing is bloody hard to track a cause,8 months ago i went through something similar at home,Hop out of shower,light rash and bloody itchy,never found a reason it just went after a month or so...


Goodluck

Cheers

A couple of years ago whilst working on the Outback Challenge, I was with a group of competitors and spectators at the 'mud competition' area at Viewmont on the Darling River near Minindee, NSW.

The competitors were complaining of 'bitey things' driving the crazy and giving them a rash, after being exposed to the mud and low water levels.

Punchline of this story: - The locals (station owner and others) told us that the migratory bird life, especially ducks, were resting up on their way south and back to the northern hemispheres on the Darling River where there was water left due to the drought and were dropping 'bird lice' everywhere.

It is possible the same thing is/has happened at Dalhusie.

Remedy: No idea other than a good wash and possibly some sought of lice killer suitable for humans.

We were camped up at Dalhousie Springs about 2 years back, and SWMBO got the living shyte bit out of her..

I dried off, but I remember Lyn, just sitting on the steps for seemingly hours, wet.....

Some people told us to use equal parts of metho, and vinegar, and this seemed to work for a while. Those bites/rash drove her insane, until the managers at Arkaringa Station, ( god love them ) gave us some "wizz-bang" cream. Worked a treat !

I believe that it is some of the surplus, that the Flying Dr. Service, has something to do with..... would like to find out the name of that stuff ..

Cheers Bucky

When I was there in 2006 I didnt have any problems. But as others have mentioned, I did towel down thoroughly straight after getting out (it was middle of winter and #$%#%#$ cold)

Next shower was Birdsville at the Caravan park and there was no issues after that either.

You will most likely find it's lice in the water. There have been a number of Posts lately about this I seem to remember. I never go in the water at Dalhousie for that reason (and a couple of others). You will also find that out here sandflies in particular, after rain or water lying around, will do the most awful things to you - even though you may have no trouble with them at home or at the beach. Mosquitos also but not to the same degree as the sandflies and it can take sometimes 12 months or so for the bit marks to fade and disappear.
I have given up trying to offer advice to people on this problem - but as you will have noticed, it does makes a difference to towel off straight away and not stay for hours in the water. Another good first aid is to always take heaps of Vit B before embarking on any trip where bities could get you.

fireflash,

The complaint would appear to be DUCK LICE.

You need "ESCABY OIL"(check spelling) to get rid of it, just after bathing, or as the rash developed.

This problem can escalate, depending on the person's sensitivity, or sex. Duck Lice around the genitals, especially for the ladies, can be most uncomfortable.

After talking with the Bride, we suggest you get some from your friendly chemist, and try it. Don't get the solution around your eyes, as seem to remeber it burns sensitive areas.

Good luck,
Hooroo,
Bob.