![]() Don’t feed waterfowl, and avoid doing things to attract them.Air drying allows the parasite more time to invade the skin. Towel off immediately after exiting the water.Don’t swim or wade in marshy or swampy bodies of water.Stay out of waters you know to be infested.Research the lake to see if it has had any positive cases in recent years.How can I reduce the chances of getting swimmer’s itch?įollow these precautions to reduce the chance of developing swimmer’s itch: Be cautious swimming in bodies of water that contain high numbers of aquatic snails and birds. With recent heat waves and drought, infested waters may increase. Sand Hollow Reservoir, Fire Lake Park at Ivins Reservoir, Mantua Reservoir, and Willard Bay are among the common areas where positive cases of swimmer’s itch have occurred. Where have there been reported cases and infected lakes?Įven in 2022, there have already been reported cases throughout Utah. Children make the most frequent cases because they play in shallower waters where larvae hang about. Anyone who swims or wades in infested waters is at risk. However, their presence will often cause an allergic reaction, leading to a rash. Since humans aren’t a suitable host for the parasite, the larvae that cause swimmer’s itch will burrow into human skin and then die without spreading. When people swim in infested waters, the larvae can enter their skin. Developed larvae will then seek out a suitable host in birds and mammals living in shallow parts of the lakes, ponds, and oceans. The larvae search for a host in certain aquatic snails where they undergo further development. They form and mature in the blood of these animals and spread when the parasite’s eggs-found in the fecal matter-are released in water, where the microscopic larvae then hatch. The parasites that cause swimmer’s itch come from infected birds and mammals such as ducks, geese, gulls, swans, muskrats, and raccoons. Although it’s not as common in Utah as in other states, cases and reports of infected lakes continue to increase enough to warrant caution. The parasite responsible lives in ponds, lakes, and even oceans. Swimmer’s itch is an allergic reaction and rash caused by microscopic parasites burrowing into your skin. Before you go, check whether that lake is infected with cercarial dermatitis, better known as swimmer’s itch. Summertime has arrived, and you’re looking forward to a day out on the lake. Be cautious of lakes and ponds that have snails and waterfowl.Several Utah waterways have had positive cases of swimmer’s itch. ![]() ![]() Swimmer’s itch is an allergic reaction from parasites that may cause irritated skin.Swimmer’s Itch What is it and how can you treat it? July 20, 2022 Outbreak of swimmer's itch in Central Italy: Description, causative agent and preventive measures. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. We link primary sources - including studies, scientific references, and statistics - within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations.
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