Swimmer’s itch usually resolves within 1–3 weeks without treatment. Short course of oral corticosteroid for a severe reaction.Immediate towelling after exiting the water to reduce skin penetration of the parasites.To reduce the risk of cercariae on the skin: Use of chemical molluscicides such as copper sulphate or copper carbonate in small lakes to kill potentially infested snails.Reduce vegetation in high-risk areas to make the environment less favourable for the water snails.
Feed birds with a drug to treat the parasite.To reduce parasite numbers in the environment: What is the treatment for swimmer’s itch? Preventative measures What is the differential diagnosis for swimmer’s itch? There is no widely available blood test to confirm an allergy to cercariae. Skin biopsies are not diagnostic but may be performed to exclude other causes of an itchy, blistering, or urticarial rash. Swimmer’s itch is suspected clinically based on the characteristics of the rash following bathing in infested waters. Secondary bacterial infection following scratching.Episodes become more severe with repeated exposures.What are the complications of swimmer’s itch? Outbreak of swimmer's itch in Denmark. Acta Derm Venereol. Cercariae may accidentally attach to human skin, penetrate the skin, die, and cause a local allergic reaction.Ĭredit: Images are from Tracz ES, Al-Jubury A, Buchmann K, Bygum A. Cercariae may penetrate the skin or are ingested by the aquatic bird/animal, develop into an adult worm, and the cycle starts again. The miracidium enters the snail, elongates into a sporocyst, then matures into a cercaria which burrows out of the snail into the water. An egg hatches in the water to become a free-swimming miracidium in search of a specific snail species. The adult worm lives in a bird/animal, and the eggs are excreted via the intestines in the faeces. Schistosomes are parasitic flatworms with a lifecycle that involves aquatic birds (eg, ducks, geese, gulls, swans) or mammals (eg, beavers, muskrats), specific species of aquatic snails, and warm fresh or salt water. Swimmer’s itch is a disease of aquatic birds and humans are accidentally affected. However, it is only after repeated exposure to cercariae that the allergy develops and a rash eventuates. Young children are particularly susceptible as they tend to remain in shallow warm water where the snails are found in the highest numbers. Don't feed birds on piers or near swimming areas.Swimmer’s itch can affect anyone swimming in waters with infested snails. Rinse exposed skin with clean water right after leaving the water. Also avoid being in marshy areas where snails are often found. Avoid being in water near the shore where swimmer's itch is a known problem or where signs have been posted warning of the risk. Preventionįollow these tips to avoid swimmer's itch: Swimmer's itch usually isn't serious, but your skin can become infected if you scratch the rash.
Swimmer's itch isn't contagious from person to person. The snails then release the parasites into the water, where they can infect humans. When the young parasites hatch, they live and grow in a type of snail that lives in shallow water.
The parasites' eggs get into the water through the animals' waste. These parasites are found in some animals that live near ponds and lakes, including geese, ducks and muskrats. Swimmer's itch is caused by an allergic reaction to parasites that burrow into your skin from warm water.