This may sound silly, but my son, breaks out in hives look-a-likes. He gets really red and little tiny bumps all over his body. We have been water people since my children were born and never had this odd allergic reaction. This started recently, and only happens when he gets in the ocean. We go to different beaches through out California and still the same reaction. l was wondering if any body-surfer or surfer gets this way. It is really stranged?! l am wondering if the sea level contamination is higher than it was last year...but normally we check before we go to a beach and so far it is safe.
Oh, almost forgot...when he gets clean cleaned out with fresh water everything comes to normal.
No, it is swimmer is itch. It does not itches, he just gets swollen.
l meant NOT a swimmer is itch. Swimmer is itch looks gross. He just looks like he is cold or goose-bumps.

It is probably swimmers itch a parasite skin infection it is very common

l do not personally, but what you describe sounds like what my friend has. It is just something that you have to deal with. Check if it is allergic to cold, that may be it.

It could just be a response to the extreme cold of the water.

Go see a doctor just to be safe.

This happens to me some times and the best awnser that l can give is that it can be one of two things 1) there are tinny (can be) microscopic organisms or sea mits or bugs that brush up against you and most of the time you dont even notice it until you see it on you or 2) it could be an allergic reaction to to much salt for what ever reason thats what my doctor told me