Laurie Carmichael

What could be the cause? Unless you’ ve brushed against poison ivy or are having an allergic reaction, you’ ve likely got swimmer’ s itch, also known as cercarial dermatitis. The culprit? A parasite called schistosome that burrows under the skin, triggering a reaction. Swimmer’ s itch is most common in the summer and can be found in both fresh and saltwater bodies.

Adult parasites live in the bloodstream of infected waterfowls or small mammals that forage along shallow shorelines. The schistosome eggs are excreted in their droppings and hatch into tiny worm-like larvae. Once hatched, the larvae search for another host. We can be exposed when we enter contaminated water. These parasites cannot live in a human host and soon die, but they can still cause annoying symptoms.

As per MyHealth Alberta, swimmer’ s itch is more of a nuisance than anything. The first symptom is a tingling or burning sensation, which can appear within minutes to days after exposure. This is usually followed by a bumpy, red rash that may blister. The itch can be difficult to resist, leading to infection if scratched excessively. Seek medical attention if you notice a fever, increased redness, or white / yellow discharge from the blisters. The good news: the rash isn’ t contagious, and the parasite is rarely found in chlorinated pools. However, longer exposure can increase the severity of your symptoms.

Thankfully, swimmer’ s itch is manageable.

Minimize Your Risk Before swimming

• Check for notices near the water.

• Avoid swimming in areas with large numbers of waterfowl.

• Avoid swimming early in the morning.

• Swim further from shore.

After swimming

• Briskly towel dry or shower to remove any larvae from your skin.

• Inspect your skin for signs of rash. If you believe you have swimmer’ s itch, report your case to swimmersitch. info.

Do not feed birds near swimming areas.

While you wait for the rash to clear up on its own( within one to two weeks), you can alleviate the itch. Health-care professionals can recommend anti-itch ointments or lotions. You can also apply cool compresses to blisters, and remember: avoid scratching. If you have concerns about your rash, contact your health-care professional.

For advice and information, call Health Link at 811, visit myhealth. alberta. ca, or contact your health-care provider.

ARTA member Laurie Carmichael is a retired nurse who continues to promote health and wellness in retirement, in between writing novels like A Complicated Goodbye and Hiding Amongst the Clouds. Laurie reminds readers that her advice is meant as general information only and should not be substituted for medical advice.

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