During deco: Stay calm. Don’t scratch. Finish stops. Cool a glove if needed.
Surface: NO hot shower. Take cetirizine 10mg or fexofenadine 180mg. Cold packs on low back/thighs. Hydrate. divelocked itch
Monitor: If joint pain, rash, numbness → Call DAN. During deco: Stay calm
| Risk Factor | Reason | |-------------|--------| | | Higher inert gas loading | | Long bottom times (>60 min) | More time for micronuclei formation | | Repetitive dives | Residual gas loads | | Cold water dives | Peripheral vasoconstriction traps gas | | Fast ascent rates (even within deco) | Supersaturation stress | | Dehydration | Slower gas washout | | Post-dive hot shower | Vasodilation + bubble mobilization | | History of mild DCS | Possible subclinical bubble predisposition | | High body fat % | Nitrogen solubility in adipose tissue | 6. Differential Diagnosis (What Else It Could Be) Before labeling an itch as “divelocked,” rule out these mimics: Cool a glove if needed
Resolves by 4 hours → Safe. Log it. Modify next dive (more hydration, slower ascent).
| Symptom | Action | |---------|--------| | Itch + joint pain (any) | Call DAN hotline | | Itch + skin mottling | ER + hyperbaric consult | | Itch + numbness or weakness | Neurologic DCS until proven otherwise | | Itch lasting >6 hours | Unlikely DLI; rule out other causes | | Itch returning after diving same day | Possible DCS rebound |