Whats swimmers itch skin#

A parasite that lives between snails and other animals (namely ducks, cows, sheep or rodents) accidentally infests humans that swim in the infested water.

Whats swimmers itch skin#

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. What is Swimmers Itch Swimmers itch occurs mainly in the northern central region of the United States, in fresh waters during the warmer months. It’s a condition that has few studies, but recently there has been growing interest since the World Health Organization (WHO) lists it as an emerging disease. These parasites are released from infected snails into fresh and saltwater (such as lakes, ponds, and oceans). Swimmer’s itch, cercarial or schistosome dermatitis, is an allergic skin reaction to cercariae, which are the larvae of a waterfowl parasite (bird schistosomes). As part of the parasite’s life cycle, they are released into the water by the infected snails and birds. The eggs hatch into larvae and search for a specific kind of snail. These hosts release eggs into the water through their feces. The parasites normally infest some birds and mammals. The rash is the result of an allergic reaction to parasites in the water. When they come in contact with human skin they burrow in and immediately die as we are not hospitable. The Swimmer’s Itch rash is typically an allergic reaction to tiny parasites that are carried by waterfowl and snails that live in fresh water. Swimmer’s itch is a skin rash that appears after swimming or wading in fresh or saltwater. The larvae of the cercaria parasite travel between their water snail host and their intended waterfowl host. Per the Centers for Disease Control, “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. Swimmer’s Itch is caused by a flatworm parasite.

You may get some relief by using soothing lotions such as calamine or lotions containing antihistamines and/or local anesthetics.

There area ways to preventative swimmer's itch: Apply sunblock, rub down very briskly with a towel after leaving the water and shower with soap and water.įor information on Swimmer's Itch please visit: įor Los Angeles Sanitation Watershed Water Quality Bacteria Table testing for Hansen Dam Recreation Lake visit: After the swimmers itch organisms have penetrated the skin, there is little that can be done to treat it. If you decide to utilize the Recreation Lake, stay clear of plants growing in the lake. The larvae causing Swimmer’s Itch may be present in Hansen Dam.