Carnival Lost World Canopy Tour Problem

[tmwright]

Last Tuesday Jan 31 my wife and I went on the canopy tour at Belize. When we returned to the ship I noticed a black spot on the lower front of my leg. My wife had a similar spot on her forearm. I rubbed it and the skin came right off. The next day I had a large open sore on my leg. I should have went to the ships doctor but didn't. Now that it has been a week I finally made it to my local doctor. She has no idea what it is or how to treat it. It is red around the area and is like an open ulcer. I am looking for anyone who has had a similar experience and how they treated it. I plan to try and contact Carnival but I imagine it will be hard to find anyone willing to talk about medical problems. If anyone out there has any insight on this or has had a similar problem and knows how to treat it, please send me an email at elwright@frontiernet.net Thanks

[watkins]

Wow, wish I could help. I hope you find out what it is soon.

 

Teressa

[susyls]

How scary, keep us informed please.

Good luck.

[Maryandi]

Sounds like a fungus or something. Have your Dr. scrape off a sample and send it to CDC or other tropical disease place.

 

Maybe go to a Dermotologist and have them do it.

 

IMO- your Dr. should have thought of it !!

 

I did read another thread once about a lady who was walking along to the cave tubing and felt a bite. Then later at home had a lump in that spot that would not go away. Went to the Dr. and it was larvae from some tropical bug !!:eek: :(

 

The moral of the story is don't let it go - find out asap ! Good luck

[jetskier]

I did read another thread once about a lady who was walking along to the cave tubing and felt a bite. Then later at home had a lump in that spot that would not go away. Went to the Dr. and it was larvae from some tropical bug !!:eek: :(

 

The lady was bit by a mosquito which had a Botfly egg on it. The egg dissolves and falls into the bite where it incubates. In about two weeks you have a small welt that gets bigger as the larvae grows. Not pleasant.

Dave

[jkjmt]

Does bug repellant help to keep from getting bit??? My husband, 13-year daughter and I will be there in 2 months (April) Is there a "season" that the bugs are worse than other seasons??

 

 

 

Miracle: 4/2006

Legend: 3/2005

Miracle: 4/2004

Legend: 3/2003

Pride: 4/2002

Jubilee: 3/2001

Disney: 2/1989

[jetskier]

Get a insect repellant that contains DEET. Dont forget your face and hair.

Dave

[Maryandi]

Thanks Dave - I forgot the name - botfly. Horrible thing:(

[jetskier]

The photo of them pulling one of the larvae out of the guy's eyelid was not too pleasing either. Luckily you wont find them onboard ship, the folks on the F-deck would have to be lathered up in tanning oil with Deet.

 

Dave

[tmwright]

Here it is 11 days later and both of my legs are full of red oozing blister. The local doctor has not been the best. I was sent to a doctor that wasn't a dermotologest. They have wasted my time all week as my legs keep getting worse. Today I begged a dermotologest to let me come for a visit. They wanted me to wait two more weeks. I guess that is a little off the subject but can show what a mess you can get into.

We did spray ours selves with bug repelant. I thing this is some type of poisness plant that we came in contract with. I will keep you posted.

[Maryandi]

So sorry you are still suffering - what a huge mess !! Is your wife suffering too? I hope not. Keep us posted - and - a very get well to you !!!

 

Mar

[scejas]

How about you go to your local public hospital -- atleast here in Miami we have Jackson Memorial Hospital and they treat you until they find what the problem is...

[Linda @ Sea Sports Belize]

It sounds like you may have rubbed up against a poisonwood tree. Poisonwood is like poison ivy but the symptons can be more severe. Google poisonwood belize and you can print out the details and take to your doctor. I would suggest that anyone venturing into the forests of Belize wear long pants and shirts, and also sturdy footwear.

[wrp96]

Here it is 11 days later and both of my legs are full of red oozing blister. The local doctor has not been the best. I was sent to a doctor that wasn't a dermotologest. They have wasted my time all week as my legs keep getting worse. Today I begged a dermotologest to let me come for a visit. They wanted me to wait two more weeks. I guess that is a little off the subject but can show what a mess you can get into.

We did spray ours selves with bug repelant. I thing this is some type of poisness plant that we came in contract with. I will keep you posted.

 

Does your health insurance have a medical help line that you can call to explain your dilemma? If so, I would recommend calling that number. Otherwise, I would recommend visiting an emergency room.

 

I once waited to have a skin condition treated on my legs and it became cellulitis, which is a very uncomfortable and hard to treat skin infection. As it was, by the time I went to see the doctor it was two days before Christmas and I couldn't get into see a dermatoligist until after Christmas, which because of an ice storm stretched to after the New Year. What I learned is don't wait, especially if it is spreading like your's seems to be.

[Buffettfan 225]

This is similar but by no means the same--many years ago husband also came home from Mexico and had gone golfing. After returning home legs became red, swollen and so much pain to walk a wheelchair was needed at emergency room. Doctor after doctor and antibiotics, creams did not help. Finally the only thing that worked was oral Prednisone (steroids) that releived symptoms. While we never found out answer, at least he found relief. Just a suggestion.

Keep us posted. We have booked a biking tour in Belize thru Carnival --sure has me wondering..

[Buffettfan 225]

I looked up Poisonwood tree as previous post suggested.

In article it mentioned black resin (sap?) being on tree. Maybe that confirms what the black spots you had when returning to ship were. Link to article:

http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/4h/Poisonwood/poisonwo.htm

I would go to emergency room, perhaps one associated as a teaching hospital. A dermatologist, epidemiologist may be a good specialist to seek out. Best of luck.

[Twinsmomct]

Are you any better? Have you gotten a diagnosis yet?