Australian content creator develops rash after swimming in El Nido, Palawan

What appeared to be a simple case of sunburn turned out to be an allergic skin reaction for an Australian content creator after swimming in a beach in El Nido, Palawan.

In Kuya Kim’s report on “24 Oras” on Wednesday, Australian traveler and content creator Beau Keywood shared on social media that he developed itchy red rashes across his body after taking a dip in the waters of El Nido with his girlfriend during their vacation in the Philippines.

“Over the last three days, these red rashes that comes all over my body. It’s all up and down my legs,” he said in his post.

According to Beau, they did not notice anything unusual while they were in the water.

“We didn't notice anything at the time. When we exited the water, we felt hot. When I got back to the hotel, I noticed I was a little bit itchy. The next day, I had basically a full rash on my chest,” Beau shared.

Despite his worsening condition, Beau continued their trip to Coron. During the boat ride, he noticed increased swelling in his legs, while his face became puffy and his lips and tongue started tingling, prompting him to seek immediate medical attention upon arrival.

“The doctor said that it was definitely likely to be an allergic reaction. Most probably from something that we had when swimming in the water,” he said.

Based on the medical certificate Beau later shared, he suffered a hypersensitivity reaction caused by plankton bites.

Kuya Kim explained that the term "plankton bites" is commonly used to describe an itchy rash experienced after swimming in the sea, although these are not really caused by planktons as they generally do not bite humans.

The itchiness may be caused by microscopic larvae of jellyfish or sea anemones. These tiny marine organisms can become trapped under swimwear and release stinging cells upon contact with the skin, resulting in an itchy, red rash known as sea bather's eruption.

“‘Yung mga pangangati then pamumula, pamamaga, pantal o rashes at tsaka 'yung hapdi, 'yung parang tinusok-tusok 'yung balat natin,” marine biologist Glennville Castrence said.

To treat the allergic reaction, Beau received epinephrine and antihistamine shots at a hospital in Coron.

“The next day, everything had felt the same. We went to the urgent care facility there in Coron and they admitted me overnight and gave me an IV corticosteroid injection and IV antihistamine injections,” he said.

Because the couple had a scheduled flight to Hong Kong the next day, doctors arranged an online consultation with a dermatologist and provided the necessary prescription, allowing them to continue their trip.

Although Beau said he and his girlfriend remained swollen, itchy, and covered in rashes during the flight, he noted that his condition had slightly improved by the time they landed in Hong Kong.

“During the flight, we were both very itchy, very swollen, and very red. By the time we had landed in Hong Kong, I had woken up and it had improved slightly,” Beau shared.

Despite the ordeal, Beau said the experience did not diminish his appreciation for the Philippines.

"This is by far the first time I've ever seen or experienced anything like this. The Philippines was amazing. I think we were just a bit unlucky with what happened to us," he said.

Meanwhile, Kuya Kim advised beachgoers to take extra precautions before swimming to avoid plankton bites, which can cause skin irritation and rashes.

He said swimmers should first check sea conditions and heed any advisories about jellyfish or sea lice presence, postponing their swim if necessary. Wearing a rash guard or wetsuit can also help minimize direct skin contact with the water.

If a swimmer experiences a stinging or itching sensation while in the sea, they should get out of the water immediately and rinse their body with clean water afterward.

For those who develop itching, Kuya Kim warned against scratching the affected area and recommended applying a cold compress to help ease the irritation. He also urged anyone experiencing severe symptoms to seek immediate medical attention.

—Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA News