What is Swimmer's Itch?

Swimmer's itch is often a mis-diagnosis...it is often confused with mosquito and chigger bites and other skin inflamations. The appearance ranges from small itchy red dots to large red welts. It gets worse with repeated exposures.

Swimmer's itch parasites have to have two hosts to complete their life cycle--fowl and snails. Merganzer ducks are the main carrier, they release the parasite through their droppings. I have never seen a Merganzer on Higgins Lake, but it is my understanding that they are there. Mallards are only a small contributor to the problem. However, the main thing to remember is do not feed the ducks!

I was told by a parent of a child with swimmer's itch that the townships were no longer taking reports on where swimmer's itch was being contracted, however, feel free to post any information on the message boards.

How do I prevent Swimmer's Itch?

Unfortunately, Swimmer's itch is now found in all areas of Higgins Lake, but there are some things you can do to decrease your chances of contracting it.

I copied this info from Maine's swimmer's itch site...but most sites suggest a waterproof oil or other substance combined with immedietely toweling off after getting out of the water.

1. Apply a water repellant substance such as petroleum jelly, waterproof sunscreen or other skin oils to reduce the ability of the Cercariae from penetrating the skin.
2. Rub down briskly with a towel when emerging from the water. If cercariae are on the skin they will try to penetrate the moment you emerge from the water.
3. Swim in deeper waters, not the shallow areas near shore. Near shore is where the cercariae tend to concentrate.
4. Swim in areas with an off-shore breeze. The cercariae are weak swimmers and are blown about by the wind.

July, 2001- I have been hosting the students doing the swimmer's itch studies here in Pinewoods.

If possible refrain from swimming or playing at the water's edge which is where the highest concentrations of the circaraea are found. Their numbers definitely diminish as the water is deeper and cooler.

They also found that products such as Bug 'N Sun will help. The Deet used as an insect repellent will also repel the nasty little critters we are so allergic to. We have a lot of grandchildren who love to swim, and the routine of the children's Bug 'N Sun followed by a freshwater rinsing and toweling has made a huge difference. This followed a day when we forgot and the four-year old had over 60 welts!

Also, several years ago the HLPOA and the HLAC published some information from other studies. It was then that they recommended using Ken-Tox (something found at a drug store, looking like calamine lotion) helps. Again, we tested on the grandkids (and this grandmother), and it does help relieve the itching.

It's hard for those of us who have been able to use Higgins without worrying to think that we have to go through these routines just to have a little swim, but the problem isn't going to go away unfortunately as we cannot get rid of the merganzers nor the snails.... so.

Towel off well.

Links to More Information about Swimmer's Itch

If you would like more information about it please try one of the links below. They further explain the life cycle, treatment, and preventative measures.

http://www.hope.edu/academic/biology/faculty/blankespoor/swimitch/

http://www.hope.edu/academic/biology/faculty/blankespoor/swimitch/faq\ .html

http://www.granthealth.org/swimitchgchd.htm

http://www.srhip.on.ca/bgoshu/Water/WaterItchFS.html