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How can I reduce the chances of getting swimmer’s itch?įollow these precautions to reduce the chance of developing swimmer’s itch: Be cautious swimming in bodies of water that contain high numbers of aquatic snails and birds. With recent heat waves and drought, infested waters may increase. Sand Hollow Reservoir, Fire Lake Park at Ivins Reservoir, Mantua Reservoir, and Willard Bay are among the common areas where positive cases of swimmer’s itch have occurred. Where have there been reported cases and infected lakes?Įven in 2022, there have already been reported cases throughout Utah. Children make the most frequent cases because they play in shallower waters where larvae hang about.
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Anyone who swims or wades in infested waters is at risk. However, their presence will often cause an allergic reaction, leading to a rash. Since humans aren’t a suitable host for the parasite, the larvae that cause swimmer’s itch will burrow into human skin and then die without spreading. When people swim in infested waters, the larvae can enter their skin. Developed larvae will then seek out a suitable host in birds and mammals living in shallow parts of the lakes, ponds, and oceans. The larvae search for a host in certain aquatic snails where they undergo further development. They form and mature in the blood of these animals and spread when the parasite’s eggs-found in the fecal matter-are released in water, where the microscopic larvae then hatch. The parasites that cause swimmer’s itch come from infected birds and mammals such as ducks, geese, gulls, swans, muskrats, and raccoons. Although it’s not as common in Utah as in other states, cases and reports of infected lakes continue to increase enough to warrant caution. The parasite responsible lives in ponds, lakes, and even oceans.
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Swimmer’s itch is an allergic reaction and rash caused by microscopic parasites burrowing into your skin. Before you go, check whether that lake is infected with cercarial dermatitis, better known as swimmer’s itch. Summertime has arrived, and you’re looking forward to a day out on the lake. Be cautious of lakes and ponds that have snails and waterfowl.Several Utah waterways have had positive cases of swimmer’s itch.Swimmer’s itch is an allergic reaction from parasites that may cause irritated skin.Do not attract birds (e.g., by feeding them) to areas where people are swimming.Īdapted from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.Swimmer’s Itch What is it and how can you treat it? July 20, 2022.Towel dry or shower immediately after leaving the water.Do not swim near or wade in marshy areas where snails are commonly found.Do not swim in areas where swimmer's itch is a known problem or where signs have been posted warning of unsafe water.To reduce the likelihood of developing swimmer's itch: Also, they are less likely to towel dry themselves when leaving the water. Children are most often affected because they tend to swim, wade, and play in the shallow water more than adults. Larvae are more likely to be present in shallow water by the shoreline. Children are more at risk for swimmer's itchĪnyone who swims or wades in infested water may be at risk. 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. If your symptoms persist, see your doctor.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. If itching is severe, your health care provider may prescribe lotion or creams to lessen your symptoms. Itching may last up to a week or more, but will gradually go away. Scratching the areas may result in secondary bacterial infections. 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.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). Swimmer's itch, also called schistosome dermatitis, appears as a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to certain microscopic parasites that infect some birds and mammals.