Swimming is one of the most enjoyable pasttimes in the summer at Detroit Lakes. However, this pasttime can create a big nuisance if someone attempts to go swimming in a lake that has a parasite that causes swimmers itch. Swimmer’s itch will not kill you, although it is very troublesome.
For those people who are not quite sure what swimmer’s itch is, it is an infection caused by a parasite or flat worm that beds into the skin as a person is swimming. Swimmer’s itch is brought into the water by warm-blooded hosts such as ducks or other mammals.
 These parasites are expelled from the host and then search for another host to attach to which is usually a snail. They are then released from the infected snail to seek a warm blooded creature to imbed in, such as a human. Once they imbed in the skin, the person is not able to tell he/she has swimmer’s itch until the swimmer is out of the water.
Swimmer’s itch is all over the lake. Children are more likely to catch swimmer’s itch rather than adults. The reason for this is that a |
child plays closer to the shore line and comes in contact with the sand and dirt. The parasite lives on snails and snails are closer to the shore rather than out in the water. When swimming in deeper water, it is more likely that some ones' feet won’t touch the sand. So, swimming in deeper water can lower the chances of getting swimmer’s itch.
Not all people are subjected to the symptoms of swimmer’s itch. Most people feel a burning sensation as the larvae burries itself into the skin. This sensation may occur within the hour of swimming or while swimming. A red rash will show up where the larvae has entered into the skin. The red spot will also start to itch. The itching is a lot like the chicken pox. The itching may subside for 10-15 hours and then become extremely intense. The stage of itching usually disappears within a week or so. If swimming in infested waters for the first time, a person may not feel the symptoms, however, with repeated exposures, it increases a persons sensitivity to the parasite and increases the chances of feeling the symptoms.
Swimmer’s itch is easily treated if caught as soon as possible. Itching can be controlled with antihistamines, cool compresses and lotions. Some over-the-counter medicines that are available are Benadril, Calamine Lotion, Cortizone 10 or other burn creams might work for the |
rash and burning feeling. For a more serious case of swimmer’s itch a prescription for group II through group V topical steroids can be given by a doctor, which are different strenghths.
There is no 100% guaranteed way to prevent swimmer’s itch except for the obvious of not going swimming. That won’t stop people from going swimming though. One way to prevent swimmer’s itch is to immediately towel dry the skin and get to a shower as soon as possible. To prevent catching swimmer’s itch in the lakes in and around the Detroit Lakes area, people are considering that if a case of swimmer’s itch is reported to the clinic a sign will be posted at the lake to notify people that that lake constains swimmer’s itch. |
