Swimmer's itch

Swimmer's itch

overview

Swimmer's itch

Swimmer's itch

Swimmer's itch is an allergic reaction to microscopic parasites that implant themselves in your skin while swimming or wading outdoors.

Swimmer's itch is an itchy rash that can occur after swimming or wading outdoors. Swimmer's itch, also known as cercarial dermatitis, is most common in freshwater lakes and ponds, but occasionally occurs in saltwater.

Swimmer's itch is a rash usually caused by an allergic reaction to parasites that burrow into your skin while swimming or wading in warm water.

The parasites that cause swimmer's itch usually live in waterfowl and some mammals. These parasites can get into the water. Humans are not suitable hosts, so the parasites will soon die while still in your skin.

Swimmer's itch is uncomfortable, but it usually clears up on its own in a few days. In the meantime, you can control itching with over-the-counter or prescription medications.

Symptoms

The itchy rash that accompanies swimmer's itch looks like reddish pimples or blisters. It can appear within minutes or days of swimming or wading in infested water.

Swimmer's itch usually only affects exposed skin - skin not covered by swimsuits, wetsuits, or waders. Signs and symptoms of swimmer's itch typically worsen with any exposure to the parasites.

When to go to the doctor?

Talk to your doctor if you have a rash after swimming that lasts longer than three days. If you notice pus at the rash site, contact your doctor. You may be referred to a doctor who specializes in skin diseases (dermatologist).

Causes

The parasites that cause swimmer's itch live in the blood of waterfowl and in mammals that live near ponds and lakes. Examples include:

• Gänse
• Enten
• Möwen
• Biber
• Bisamratten

The parasite's eggs enter the water through the feces of their hosts. Before they infect birds, other animals or people, the hatched parasites have to live in a snail species for some time. These snails live near the coast, which explains why infections occur most often in shallow water.

Swimmer's itch is not contagious from person to person, so you don't have to worry about catching swimmer's itch from someone who has this itchy rash.

Risk factors

The parasites that cause swimmer's itch live in the blood of waterfowl and in mammals that live near ponds and lakes. The more time you spend in infested water, the higher your risk of swimmer's itch. Children may be at highest risk because they tend to play in shallow water and are less likely to dry themselves with a towel.

Some people are more sensitive to swimming itch than others. And your sensitivity may increase each time you're exposed to the parasites that cause swimmer's itch.

Complications

Swimmer's itch rarely causes complications, but your skin can become inflamed if you scratch too hard. Try to avoid scratching the rash.

prevention

The parasites that cause swimmer's itch live in the blood of waterfowl and in mammals that live near ponds and lakes. To reduce the risk of swimmer's itch:

• Wählen Sie Badeplätze sorgfältig aus. Vermeiden Sie das Schwimmen in Gebieten, in denen Juckreiz bekannt ist oder Schilder vor einer möglichen Kontamination warnen. Vermeiden Sie auch, in sumpfigen Gebieten zu schwimmen oder zu waten, in denen Schnecken häufig vorkommen.
• Vermeiden Sie die Küste, wenn möglich. Wenn Sie ein guter Schwimmer sind, gehen Sie zum Schwimmen in tieferes Wasser. Es ist wahrscheinlicher, dass Sie Schwimmerjucken entwickeln, wenn Sie viel Zeit in wärmerem Wasser in Ufernähe verbringen.
• Nach dem Schwimmen abspülen. Spülen Sie exponierte Haut unmittelbar nach dem Verlassen des Wassers mit sauberem Wasser ab und trocknen Sie Ihre Haut dann kräftig mit einem Handtuch. Wasche deine Badeanzüge oft.
• Überspringen Sie die Semmelbrösel. Füttern Sie Vögel nicht an Docks oder in der Nähe von Schwimmbereichen.
• Tragen Sie wasserfeste Sonnencreme auf. Es wurde berichtet, dass dies die Haut vor dem Parasiten schützt, der Schwimmerjucken verursacht.

Sources:

1. Parasiten: Cercariale Dermatitis (auch als Schwimmerjuckreiz bekannt). Zentren für die Kontrolle und Prävention von Krankheiten. http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/swimmersitch/faqs.html. Abgerufen am 11. Oktober 2016.
2. Auerbach PS, et al. Aquatische Hauterkrankungen. In: Wildnismedizin. 6. Aufl. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Mosby Elsevier; 2012. http://www.clincalkey.com. Abgerufen am 11. Oktober 2016.