Untitled Slide

WHAT IS SWIMMERS ITCH

• A skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to an infection with certain microscope parasites of birds and animals.

SYMPTOMS

• Includes burning, tingling and itching.
• Small reddish pimples appear
• The pimples may develop into small blisters.

TREATMENT

• Use corticosteroid cream
• Use anti itch cream
• Bathe in Epsom salts or baking soda

FACTS

• You can't get swimmers itch in pools if the pool is well maintained.
• Humans are not suitable hosts, so the parasites soon die while still in your skin.
• Swimmers itch is not contagious.
• Scratching the areas may result in secondary bacterial infections.

WHERE IT IS

• Don't swim near or wade in marshy areas where snails are commonly found.
• Larvae are more likely to be present in shallow water by shoreline.

AFTER SWIMMING

• Use a towel right away to dry off or shower.
• Within minutes to days after swimming in contaminated water, you may experience tingling, burning, or itching.

CITATIONS

• "Swimmer's Itch FAQs." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 Jan. 2012. Web. 02 Oct. 2015.
• "Swimmer's Itch." - Mayo Clinic. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Oct. 2015.
• http://www.medicinenet.com/image-collection/cercarial_dermatitis_swimmers_i...