SWIMMERS ITCH SYMPTOMS SKIN

Based on reports in the last decade, a 2015 review article calls swimmer’s itch an emerging disease, responsible for the majority of dermatitis outbreaks worldwide. There are few statistics kept on its occurrence. Swimmer’s itch is a common summer ailment around the world. What’s the outlook for cercarial dermatitis? If you swim or wade in infested water, some of these parasitic worms may mistakenly land on your skin. These larvae live only for about 24 hours and hunt for a proper host to continue their life cycle. These tiny larvae, known as cercariae, swim around looking for waterfowl or water animals to begin the cycle again. After the parasite infects the snail and develops in it, the snail excretes a second form of parasitic larvae into the water. When the parasite’s eggs hatch in the water, the larvae swim around trying to find their second host, a species of snail. The birds or animals then pass the eggs of the parasite into the water through their feces. In its life cycle, the parasitic worm infects the blood of waterfowl and some animals that live near the water. You just happen to be there swimming or wading when the parasite, in its infective stage, is searching for its natural host. Its normal life cycle is from waterfowl or water animal to snail and back again. It accidently attaches to you and other humans while it’s looking for a water bird or another animal host.

Be aware that winds blowing IN toward shore are more likely to bring in snails and cercariae that cause swimmer’s itch.Cercarial dermatitis is caused by a parasitic worm that burrows into your skin.

Do not attract birds (e.g., by feeding them) to areas where people are swimming.

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.

The Minnesota Department of Health offers these tips to avoid swimmer’s itch: This is especially convenient if symptoms start after clinic hours or over the weekend, since online visits are available 24/7. This can typically be done with an online visit, like Allina Health Everyday Online. If itching is severe or it looks like you’ve developed an infection, I may recommend a prescription lotion or cream. Scratching can cause the rash to become infected.

Use over-the-counter anti-itch lotion or cortisone cream or ointment.Bathe in cool water with Epsom salts or baking soda.Apply cold packs or compresses to the affected areas.Apply a paste made with baking soda and water to the rash.To control the itch try these home remedies: Swimmer's itch most often does not require medical attention. Scratching may lead to a bacterial infections. It is itchy and makes you very uncomfortable, but it usually clears up within a few days to a week. The good news is that swimmer’s itch is not contagious.

SWIMMERS ITCH SYMPTOMS SKIN

Because humans are not good hosts, the parasites die under your skin causing an allergic reaction that shows up as red, itchy bumps or blisters. When you or your child play and swim in that same shallow water the newly hatched parasites may attach to you and burrow under your skin. When the eggs hatch, in or near water, the larvae infect a certain species of snail, grow and develop, and complete the life cycle by searching for a host. This parasite lives in the blood of birds such as ducks and geese, and mammals such as muskrats and raccoons, and its eggs are released in feces. Swimmer’s itch, or cercarial dermatitis, is an allergic reaction to parasitic larvae (cercariae) released by infected snails that live in shallow, marshy areas of lakes, ponds and rivers. Just what is swimmer’s itch, how can you treat it, and most importantly, how can you prevent it? What is swimmer’s itch? But, your summer fun may turn into a summer bummer if you or your child gets swimmer’s itch. For many of us, swimming and playing in one of our many lakes or rivers is a favorite summer activity.

Swimmers itch symptoms