Children are most often affected because they swim, wade, and play in the shallow water more than adults. Larvae are more likely to be swimming along shallow water by the shoreline. The larvae cannot develop inside a human and they soon die.Ĭan swimmers’ itch be spread from person-to person?Īnyone who swims or wades in infested water may be at risk. #SWIMMERS ITCH PARASITES SKIN#Although humans are not a suitable host, the larvae burrow into the skin of swimmers, which may cause an allergic reaction/rash. This larval form then searches for a suitable host (bird, muskrat) so they can start the lifecycle over again. Infected snails release a different type of larvae (cercariae, hence the name cercarial dermatitis) into the water. If the larvae find one of these snails, they infect the snail and undergo further development. These larvae swim in the water in search of a certain species of aquatic snail. Eggs hatch, releasing small, free-swimming larvae. If the eggs land in the water, the water becomes contaminated. 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, as well as certain aquatic mammals such as muskrats and beavers. How does water become infested with the parasite? If itching is severe, your health care provider may prescribe lotion or creams to lessen your symptoms. Scratching may cause the rash to become infected. colloidal oatmeal baths, such as Aveeno*.If you have a rash, you may try the following for relief: Most cases do not require medical attention. Do I need to see my health care provider for treatment? The greater the number of exposures to contaminated water, the more intense and immediate symptoms of swimmers’ itch will be.īe aware that there are other causes of rash that may occur after swimming in fresh and salt water. 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. Itching may last up to a week or more, but will gradually go away. Small reddish pimples appear within 12 hours. Within minutes to days after swimming in contaminated water, you may experience tingling, burning, or itching of the skin. Mayo Clinic also suggests wearing plenty of water resistant sunscreen to protect your skin from the parasites (and UV rays, of course).What are the signs and symptoms of swimmers’ itch? You can wash away the parasites before they have a chance to get into your skin. If you are swimming or wading in shallow waters, avoid marshy areas and rinse off in the shower when you get out. Bring a life jacket if you're not a strong swimmer. The parasites live in shallow areas, so one easy way to avoid infection is to go out to deeper waters. Because the parasite's life cycle is so short, a clear area can become infected quickly and vice versa. However, there are things you can do to reduce your risk. It can be difficult to tell if an area is infected with swimmer's itch. You can read more about chiggers here and swimmer's itch here. The parasite that causes swimmer's itch is actually a tiny worm. They also cause itchy bumps on your skin. However, chiggers are tiny earthbound mites that live amidst grass and weeds. Swimmer's itch is often incorrectly referred to as chiggers. If you create an open wound, that could get infected and cause bigger issues. The bumps are generally harmless and will heal in a few days. People aren't suitable hosts, so the parasites quickly die and leave humans with the itchy rash we know as swimmer's itch. However, the microscopic critters occasionally get lost and accidentally burrow into an unsuspecting human. The parasites eventually seek a more suitable host in birds, completing the life cycle. These parasites live in birds, like ducks and geese, and the parasite's eggs enter the water through a bird's feces. (Yuck!)įrom there, the eggs hatch and larvae find a new host: snails. Here's what you need to know to protect your skin (and sanity) from those dreaded itchy bumps.Ĭercarial dermatitis, the technical name for swimmer's itch, is actually an allergic reaction to some microscopic parasites. Have you ever gone swimming in a lake only to break out a few hours later with itchy bumps all over your legs and toes? That's swimmer's itch, and it can really ruin beach trips the same way mosquitos mess up camping trips.
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