Within minutes to days after swimming in water with the Swimmer’s itch parasite, 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. 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
If itching is severe, your health care provider may suggest prescription-strength lotions or creams to lessen your symptoms.
Report
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.
Timeline of Symptoms
- Onset: Tingling, burning, or itching can start within minutes to hours after swimming. Small red pimples or blisters usually appear within 12 hours.
- Peak: The red spots and lumps often reach their largest size after about 24 to 48 hours.
- Resolution: The intense itching typically lasts up to 7 days, and the overall rash gradually fades away within 1 to 2 weeks.
Factors That Affect Duration
- Repeated exposure: If you swim in contaminated water on consecutive days, your reaction can last longer and become more intense.
- Past sensitivity: Because swimmer’s itch is an allergic reaction to tiny parasites, previous exposure can make your body react faster and stronger each time.