Ocean City has seen a massive spike in recent days of visitors complaining about sea lice bites.

As much as we humans own the land, we are just guests when we enter the ocean. Most people understand that and keep an eye out for sharks and jellyfish while swimming at the beach.

But there is a new crisis in Ocean City, and the perpetrators are so small, you can barely even make them out with the naked eye -- "sea lice." 

Not to be confused with the ever-hated beach flea, the sea louse is a small (0.5 cm to 2 cm) parasitic crustacean that feeds on the epidermal tissue (skin) of other fish. They latch on, get their fill, and disappear. But when they bite humans, they leave a nasty rash.

Courtesy of Healthline

In recent days, Ocean City has seen an explosion in sea lice complaints. Obviously, the Ocean City town government can't control which organisms are in the water, but they are taking this opportunity to educate the public on how to mitigate and treat sea lice bites and rashes.

First of all, if you are going into the water, avoid wearing more clothing than absolutely necessary (such as baggy t-shirts). Sea lice love to get inside baggy clothing and feed on unsuspecting bathers. If you are a woman, you might also want to consider going with a two-piece bathing suit instead of a one-piece. While there hasn't been a ton of research on it, officials also recommend wearing waterproof sunscreen. The sunscreen may help prevent the sea lice from attaching to your skin. If you have a sunscreen that specifically advertises jellyfish protection, that is most likely your best bet.

If you do happen to get bit, you will quickly start noticing a rash. Sea lice are not inherently dangerous. They aren't known to carry any dangerous diseases, and their bites are mostly just a nuisance. Whether or not you see a rash, you should rinse off as soon as possible after leaving the ocean. If you have access to a chlorinated pool, that is an even better option. And change out of your bathing suit as soon as you're able.

Whatever you do, do NOT rub your body with a towel before rinsing off. This added pressure to your skin can make the sea lice angry and cause them to sting and spread to other areas of your skin.

If you have been bitten, you are going to want to rinse off with a solution of vinegar diluted with water and let your skin air dry. Others have suggested a mixture of water and ammonia, but if the vinegar works, you can avoid putting this harsh chemical on your skin. There are specially marketed "Sea Lice Gels" for sale in pharmacies, but they tend to be more expensive. A basic hydrocortisone cream should do the trick if you start to see a rash. In some cases, these rashes can bring on a fever or achiness, which can be treated with Tylenol.

As the summer comes to a close, don't let a few sea lice get in the way of enjoying time with friends and family. If you take the proper precautions, you can definitely help mitigate your risk in the water.

Have you been bitten by sea lice in Ocean City this year? Tell us your story in the comment section below!

In other rashy news, it's 2018, and the measles has come to Maryland. Read more here.