Indian Harbor Beach, Fla. – Lifeguards say they've treated about 60 people stung by sea lice this week on Brevard County beaches.
"They're not much fun. They latch onto the backs of our legs. You go deeper and they find other places to hide," beachgoer Richard Wetzel said Friday.
Wetzel is vacationing with his family from California and was stung by sea lice.
"It's a nuisance, and you bring the rash home. It's something to remember Florida by," Wetzel said.
Sea lice has been irritating beachgoers south of the Eau Gallie Causeway for the past week. The microscopic organism burrows itself into skin leaving rashes.
While lifeguards didn't see as many stings Friday, they are concerned about this weekend.
"It's something we need to watch because this weekend we will have some increasing surf so rip currents will be bad and in turn the waves can bring in sea lice too," Brevard County Ocean Rescue Chief Jeff Scabarozi said.
While the sea lice outbreak may be normal for this time of year, it's keeping some from going for a swim.
"It's keeping me out of the water. The things you don't see are going to get you the most," David Good said.
But other families say they will take their chances with what lies beneath.
"Everything has its risk and reward. The risk is the sea lice and the reward is the ocean," Wetzel said.
This is the time of the year when sea lice pops up, from April through August. If you get stung vinegar works best to relieve the pain.