Swimmers itch bites skin#

A permit can be obtained from your DNR regional fisheries office to use copper sulfate to kill the snails that are an intermediate host of the swimmer's itch parasite. Lakeshore owners can go one step further. Waterfowl are an important adult host for the parasites, and swimmer's itch outbreaks seem to be associated with people feeding ducks. Don't feed geese and ducks or allow them to congregate near your beach. Don't swim when there has been a breeze blowing toward shore that may have carried parasites to your beach. Clean beaches of weeds or other debris that has washed up on shore, which can harbor the snails that are host to the swimmer's itch parasite. Swimming from a raft or pontoon minimizes your exposure. Don't wade or play in shallow water, especially in weedy areas with lots of snails. Shower with soap and fresh water as soon as possible after swimming. Be sure to dry underneath waistbands and around leg openings of swimming suits.

Swimmers itch bites skin#

Rub your skin briskly to remove water drops before they begin to evaporate.

If it doesn't, or the rash becomes infected, contact your doctor's office.Īccording to University of Minnesota Extension, you can reduce the likelihood of suffering swimmer's itch by following these guidelines:

Tollefson said itching should calm down after about three days. The cream absorbs into the skin, causing a double dose of Benadryl. However, Tollefson advises against using a Bendryl cream in addition to taking an oral Benadryl dose. Then, she said, if it's swimmer's itch, the itchy patients are advised to use over-the-counter remedies like 1 percent hydrocortisone cream or over-the-counter Benadryl. 'Then, we do an assessment and talk about their possible exposure to swimmer's itch - things like when did the rash start after being in the water.' we can't assume their rash is swimmer's itch,' she said.

'We make sure there's no difficulty breathing or confusion. Tollefson said when a person calls the clinic with what they think might be swimmer's itch, the clinic has a procedure in place. About 30 to 40 percent of people who come in contact with the parasite that causes the itch are sensitive and experience irritation. The irritation may last from a few days to several weeks, according to the DNR. Swimmer's itch appears as red, itchy, bite-like welts on the skin within several hours of leaving the water. 'We had a lot of vacationers calling us some had never heard of it before.' It was right on time, right after the July 4th holiday,' she said. Ruth Tollefson, a registered nurse with Alexandria Clinic, said because we had a late spring this year, she thought reports of swimmer's itch would have been late, too. There was reportedly a spike in local cases of swimmer's itch right around the first week in July, which is the peak time of year the rash usually hits people right about the time local lakes are nearly at their warmest summer temperatures. This is where they may come in contact with people and burrow into their skin. As a part of their life cycle, these parasites are released by infected snails into the water. Swimmer's itch is a skin rash that is caused by an allergic reaction to microscopic parasites that are carried by waterfowl, semi-aquatic mammals and snails, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Now, 18 days later, I still have over half the scars, but the itch has lessened tremendously,' according to an online reader. I tried several home remedies such as peroxide, baking soda paste and calamine spray, which did not touch the bites and itch that I suffered through. As my arms dangled in the water, I received over 70 bites on both forearms. If you've spent time in Minnesota lakes over the years, it's likely you've heard, or told, a version of this person's account of swimmer's itch: 'I got horrible lake itch while floating with my sister on Lake Carlos, on or around July 1. Swimmer's itch, like sunburns, can be one of the bummer side effects of a glorious summer day spent in the lake.