Lake life can come with a invisible water hazard called Cercarial Dermatitis
By Andrew Harris, photo from the Mayo Clininc
Finger Lakes local social media reports start once the heat of the summer arrives: What bit me in the lake? Am I allergic to lake water? How did I get this rash ? How do I get rid of it ?
Swimmer’s itch is sort of a bite, well more of an attempted parasitic invasion. Yes, it is caused by microscopic parasites called schistosomes that are trying burrow into human skin. How the body reacts to this parasite varies, some have a light red rash, other welts/small boils. Some evidence suggests that repeated exposure to the parasite only makes it worse.
The bites or rash are the result the life cycle below. Waterfowl carry the parasite(some say mergansers carry the most,) and it enters the water via fecal matter. Then the parasite is hosted by water snails until they can swim and infect new hosts. When a human enters the water with the fully functional schistosomes they attempt to bury into exposed skin to infect a new host.
Luckily, it is a horrible match and the parasites can’t survive with a human host.
The big question now is… how do I prevent this !?!?!?
First, you can avoid swimming in natural bodies of water, which isn’t necessary if you DRY OFF immediately and thoroughly. Wiping off when you get out of the water is the best way stop this sort of dermatitis.
If you or a fellow lake lover has swimmer’s itch, take the CDC advice:
Swimmer’s itch does not have a specific medical treatment. If you have a rash, you may try the following for relief:
- Use corticosteroid cream
- Apply cool compresses to the affected areas
- Bathe in Epsom salts or baking soda
- Soak in colloidal oatmeal baths
- Apply baking soda paste to the rash (made by stirring water into baking soda until it reaches a pastelike consistency)
- Use an anti-itch lotion
Try not to scratch, as scratching may cause the rash to become infected. If itching is severe, your health care provider may suggest prescription-strength lotions or creams to lessen your symptoms. For more information about the treatment of swimmer’s itch contact your health care provider or visit CDC – Cercarial Dermatitis
