Larvae are more likely to be present in shallow water by the shoreline. Swimmer's itch is not contagious and cannot be spread from one person to another.Īnyone who swims or wades in infested water may be at risk. Can swimmer's itch be spread from person-to-person? If itching is severe, your healthcare provider may suggest prescription-strength lotions or creams to lessen your symptoms. Scratching may cause the rash to become infected. If you have a rash, you may try the following for relief:Īpply cool compresses to the affected areasĪpply baking soda paste to the rash (made by stirring water into baking soda until it reaches a paste-like consistency) If you do however get it, most cases of swimmer's itch do not require medical attention. The best way to prevent swimmer's itch is to you use a Swimmer's Itch Prevention Product. Do I need to see my healthcare provider for treatment? Swimmers itch is often misdiagnosed as chiggers, poison ivy or nettles due to the way the rash looks. The greater the number of exposures to contaminated water, the more intense and immediate symptoms of swimmer's itch will be.īe aware that swimmer's itch is not the only rash that may occur after swimming in fresh or salt water. Itching may last up to a week or more, but will gradually go away.īecause 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. Scratching the areas may result in secondary bacterial infections. Small reddish pimples appear within twelve hours. Within minutes to days after swimming in contaminated water, you may experience tingling, burning, or itching of the skin. Tingling, burning, or itching of the skin What are the signs and symptoms of swimmer's itch? Because these larvae cannot develop inside a human, they soon die. Although humans are not suitable hosts, the microscopic larvae burrow into the swimmer's skin, and may cause an allergic reaction and rash. This larval form then swims about searching for a suitable host to continue the life cycle. Infected snails release a different type of microscopic larvae into the water. If the larvae find one of these snails, they infect the snail, multiply and undergo further development. These larvae swim in the water in search of a certain species of aquatic snail. If the eggs land in or are washed into the water, the eggs hatch, releasing small, free-swimming microscopic larvae. The parasites produce eggs that are passed in the feces of infected birds or mammals. The adult parasite lives in the blood of infected animals such as ducks, geese, gulls, swans, and certain mammals such as muskrats and raccoons. How does water become infested with the parasite? Swimmer's itch is found throughout the world and is more frequent during summer months. 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. These parasites are released from infected snails into fresh and salt water (such as lakes, ponds, and oceans). All rights reserved.Swimmer's itch also known as duck itch, lake itch, and known scientifically as cercarial dermatitis, appears as a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to certain microscopic parasites that infect some birds and mammals. Additionally, Barnesville Public Works posts signage at the lake regarding reports of swimmers itch in an effort to communicate important information to Barnesville residents and visitors.Ĭopyright 2023 KVLY. In contract, some other area lakes are treated for swimmer’s itch anytime symptoms are reported.īlue Eagle Lake in Barnesville was set to be treated Monday, but that was bumped up to Friday, June 9 to make sure the lake was ready for swimmers for the weekend. Children are most susceptible.įor more advice on how to treat and prevent swimmer’s itch, click here. In the mean time, medical professionals recommend using a barrier to prevent that parasite from getting into your skin like using coconut oil or Vaseline, along with waterproof sunscreen. Areas outside of this need to apply for their own permit as they are considered private property. City leaders want to note that the area treated for swimmer’s itch is only to be the mile long City Beach area (roughly the Pavilion to Legion Road).
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