What is Swimmer's Itch and How Do You Prevent It?
Swimmer's itch is a common skin irritation caused by microscopic parasites that live in freshwater lakes and ponds. These parasites, known as cercariae, burrow into the skin and cause an allergic reaction. Symptoms of swimmer's itch include itching, redness, and small blisters.
How to Prevent Swimmer's Itch:
- Avoid swimming in infested waters: Cercariae are most common in shallow, warm waters with a lot of vegetation.
- Shower after swimming: Use soap and water to wash away any cercariae that may have attached to your skin.
- Towel off vigorously: Rubbing your skin with a towel can help remove any cercariae.
- Apply a protective barrier: Apply petroleum jelly or sunscreen to your skin before swimming to create a physical barrier against cercariae.
- Use a chemical repellent: There are a few chemical repellents available that can help prevent swimmer's itch.
Additional Tips:
- Avoid feeding ducks and geese in infested waters. Their droppings can attract cercariae.
- Swim in clear water with a sandy bottom.
- Do not scratch or pick at itchy areas.
- If you do get swimmer's itch, treat it with over-the-counter anti-itch medication or see a doctor if it is severe.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can swimmer's itch be prevented? Yes, following the preventive measures outlined above can significantly reduce the risk of swimmer's itch.
- Is swimmer's itch contagious? No, swimmer's itch is not contagious.
- What causes swimmer's itch? Swimmer's itch is caused by microscopic parasites called cercariae that live in freshwater lakes and ponds.
- How long does swimmer's itch last? Symptoms of swimmer's itch typically last for a few days to a week.
- What does swimmer's itch look like? Swimmer's itch appears as small, red, itchy blisters on the skin.
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