Swimmer’s itch, also called cercarial dermatitis, appears as a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to certain microscopic parasites that infect some birds and mammals. These parasites are released from infected snails into fresh and salt water (such as lakes, ponds, and oceans). While the parasite’s preferred host is the specific bird or mammal, if the parasite comes into contact with a swimmer, it burrows into the skin causing an allergic reaction and rash. Swimmer’s itch is found throughout the world and is more frequent during summer months.
Because swimmer’s itch is caused by an allergic reaction to infection, the more often you swim or wade in contaminated water, the more likely you are to develop more serious symptoms. The greater the number of exposures to contaminated water, the more intense and immediate symptoms of swimmer’s itch will be. Larvae are more likely to be present in shallow water by the shoreline, especially in the morning and when there is an onshore wind. Children are most often affected because they tend to swim, wade, and play in the shallow water more than adults. Also, they are less likely to towel dry themselves when leaving the water.
Within minutes to days after swimming in contaminated water, you may experience tingling, burning, or itching of the skin. Small reddish pimples appear within twelve hours. The rash is likely to appear only where the skin was directly exposed to the water and not under bathing suits or other clothing. Pimples may develop into small blisters. Itching may last up to a week or more, but will gradually go away. Though difficult, try not to scratch. Scratching will not spread swimmer’s itch but it may cause the rash to become infected. If itching is severe, your health care provider may suggest prescription-strength lotions or creams to lessen your symptoms. Swimmer’s itch is not contagious and cannot be spread from one person to another.
Most cases of swimmer’s itch do not require medical attention. If you have a rash, you may try the following for relief:
- Use corticosteroid cream
- Apply cool compresses to the affected areas
- Bathe in Epsom salts or baking soda
- Soak in colloidal oatmeal baths
- Apply baking soda paste to the rash (made by stirring water into baking soda until it reaches a paste-like consistency)
- Use an anti-itch lotion
Please go to the Higgins Lake Swimmer’s Itch Organization’s contractor, Swimmer’s Itch Solutions, LLC to report a case of Swimmer’s Itch.
Please go to the Higgins Lake Swimmer’s Itch Organization’s contractor, Swimmer’s Itch Solutions, LLC to read more information about swimmer’s itch.