![]() ![]() ![]() 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). Shower or dry yourself off with a towel as soon as you get out of a lake or pond.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.Don't go near lakes or ponds that are known to have outbreaks of swimmer's itch.To lower your chance of getting swimmer's itch: Or you can try an oatmeal bath product, such as Aveeno. Add a handful of oatmeal (ground to a powder) to your bath.Use anti-itch creams that you can buy without a prescription in a grocery store or drugstore.Put cool wet cloths (compresses) on your skin.In most cases, swimmer's itch goes away on its own, so you don't need to see a doctor. How is it diagnosed?Ī doctor can diagnose swimmer's itch by looking at your skin and asking if you've been swimming in ponds or lakes. How severe the rash is may vary for people exposed to the same parasites. The pimples may later turn into blisters. Pimples that show up minutes or even days after you were in the water.An itching or burning feeling on your skin.A rash that usually goes away in about a week.The rash can't be spread from person to person. As a result, the rash usually goes away on its own and doesn't need treatment. This causes an allergic reaction and a rash.īut the larvae can't survive in humans, so the parasites die. If they come in contact with people, the parasites can burrow under the skin. The snails in turn release the larvae into the water, where the larvae look for a host. The eggs hatch into larvae, which then infect snails. Bird and mammal droppings that contain the eggs get into lakes and ponds. The tiny parasites infect birds or mammals and lay eggs. But you can't get swimmer's itch from swimming pools that are treated with chlorine. The parasites can get under your skin when you swim in freshwater (such as lakes and ponds) and sometimes salt water. Swimmer's itch is a rash caused by an allergic reaction to the larvae of certain parasites. Conditions Basics What is swimmer's itch? ![]()
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