![]() ![]() ![]() The larvae infect aquatic snails, then multiply and develop in them. They are typically found in fresh water, though they can be present in ocean water, too. Swimmer’s itch, or cercarial dermatitis, is an allergic reaction to cercariae, the tiny larvae of parasites called trematodes. Until it does, however, it can be unpleasant. For most people, it isn’t serious and goes away on its own. Swimmer’s itch is common throughout the world. It could be swimmer’s itch, a reaction to parasites in water. But within minutes of wading out of the water, you find yourself with itchy legs and perhaps, small red spots. You take a dip in a cold, sparkling lake on a hot summer day, expecting to come out feeling cool and refreshed. Wrinkle Reducers, Fillers, & Hydrating Injectable.The rash completely resolved within 2 weeks (from Tremaine et al., 2009).Wrinkle Reducers, Fillers, & Hydrating Injectable She was treated with prescription antihistamines and topical steroid cream. This confirmed the diagnosis of swimmer’s itch. She also saw a dermatologist who performed a skin biopsy that revealed the presence of cercariae in her skin. She went to her primary care doctor, who recommended the use of oral antihistamines and moisturizing lotion. Her skin felt hot, and she noticed the symptoms were worse in the morning. The next day, she developed an itchy rash on her face and shoulders. Apply waterproof sunscreen, as this might protect the skin from larvae that cause swimmer’s itch.Ī 41-year-old woman went swimming in a lake where there was a lot of vegetation present near the water surface. ![]() Towel dry and shower immediately after leaving the water, and shower as soon as possible.Prolonged time in water is a risk factor for swimmer’s itch and can result in more severe symptoms.Avoid swimming in areas where posted signs warn that swimmer’s itch is a problem.Avoid swimming in marshy or shallow waters whenever possible, as there are more snails in these areas.Do not feed birds in areas where people swim.Both options are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day. Help from Poison Control is available at by phone at 1-80. If symptoms do not resolve or if the rash appears to be getting infected, seek medical attention.įor questions about swimmer's itch, get guidance from Poison Control. Most cases of swimmer’s itch will resolve within 1 to 2 weeks with simple home treatment. Avoid excessive scratching of the itchy areas because this can lead to a skin infection. More severe cases can require treatment with prescription medications. Topical steroids, such as hydrocortisone cream, and antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine ( Benadryl®), can be used to treat itching. Baking soda baths and pastes can be helpful as well. Cool compresses and soaking in Epsom salts or oatmeal baths can soothe the rash. Drying your skin with a towel instead of air drying might help remove some of the cercariae from the skin. If you suspect swimmer’s itch, you should take a shower if you have not already done so after getting out of the water. Most cases of swimmer’s itch can be easily treated at home. Severe symptoms, including fevers, diarrhea, and nausea, occur rarely. Because it is an allergic reaction and not a true infection, swimmer’s itch is not contagious. While the swimmers’ itch rash is uncomfortable, it is generally self-limited and not dangerous. This helps to differentiate swimmer’s itch from saltwater seabathers’ eruption, which primarily affects the skin under swimsuits. The rash typically involves areas of the body that were exposed to contaminated water, with areas of skin covered by bathing suits usually being spared. The rash can appear similar to pimples, chickenpox, or blisters and is often red, itchy, or burning in nature. Within a few minutes to a couple of days after swimming in contaminated water, a rash can develop. They die, and their remains in human skin can cause the characteristic itchy rash (cercarial dermatitis). The cercariae can painlessly burrow into human skin, but they are not able to survive there. The cercariae can be encountered by swimmers, particularly in shallow and marshy areas, although they are too small to see. The snails release a different larval form of the parasite called cercariae. If the parasite eggs are released into or near water, they can hatch into larvae (immature forms), which can then infect fresh-water snails. The adult parasites produce eggs, which are passed in the feces of these animals. Several species of birds (e.g., geese, ducks, gulls) and mammals (e.g., beavers, raccoons) that live near water can be infected with parasites. Swimmer’s itch is a water-borne parasitic disease, and the normal life cycle of the disease-causing parasite involves different animals. ![]()
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