Swimmer's Itch Prevention and Cure
What
are the symptoms of swimmer's itch?
The
U.S. Center for Disease Contror (CDC) says that the symptoms of swimmer's
itch may include:
tingling,
burning or itching of the skin, small reddish pimples or small blisters
Within minutes to days after swimming, you may experience tingling, burning, or itching of the skin. Small reddish pimples appear within twelve hours. Pimples may develop into small blisters. Scratching the areas may result in secondary bacterial infections. Itching may last up to a week or more, but will gradually go away.
Because
swimmer's itch is caused by an allergic reaction to infection, the more
often you swim or wade in water containing the parasitic fluke, the more
likely you are to develop more serious symptoms. The greater the number
of exposures, the more intense and immediate symptoms of swimmer's itch
will be.
Be
aware that swimmer's itch is not the only rash that may occur after swimming
in fresh and salt water.
Swimmer's itch is caused by a microscopic parasite that burrows into the skin. The parasite passes from bird droppings (mainly ducks) into snails and into human skin when the water is very warm.
To
prevent
it,
don't
stand around in the very shallow, very warm lake water. Staying out in
somewhat deeper water and/or keeping moving such as when swimming, will
usually prevent the parasites from getting you. When you or the kids get
out of the water, towel off immediately with a strong rubbing motion and
then shower with soap and hot water.
To
treat it,
the
best "cure" we've ever used is Old Fashioned Noxzema skin cream - the smelly
kind that comes in the round jar. We hear that the newer fragrances of
Noxzema don't work. Just spread the Noxzema on the itchy areas of the body.
The itching should be gone within minutes. We've also heard that Witchhazel
works but we haven't tried it.
CLICK HERE to go to the CDC web page about swimmer's itch