As part of its commitment to community well-being during hot summer months, the Health Department of Northwest Michigan (HDNW) is alerting residents to the increased reports of swimmer’s itch across the four-county area and is offering guidance to help prevent it.

Swimmer’s itch, also called cercarial dermatitis, appears as a rash on the skin. It is caused by an allergic reaction to tiny parasites that are released from animals such as snails, ducks, geese, swans, and certain mammals, into fresh and salt waters. Swimmer’s itch is more common during the summer months and is not localized to Northern Michigan.

“The best way to prevent swimmer’s itch is to avoid shallow, warm water, especially near the shoreline,” says Jeremy Fruk, Director of Environmental Health at HDNW. “Showering right when you get out of the water and drying with a towel helps to remove the parasites before they can cause a rash.”

When people swim in water with these parasites, they can get under the skin after swimming. Humans aren’t their usual hosts, but the parasites can still survive for a short time. This can cause an itchy rash, which is known as swimmer’s itch. It is not contagious.

Symptoms

• Tingling, burning or itching of the skin,
• Small reddish pimples,
• Small blisters.

These symptoms can show up within minutes or even a few days after swimming in water where the parasites are present. The itching may last for a week or more but usually gets better over time. Try not to scratch the rash, it can lead to a skin infection.

Treatment

In most cases, swimmer’s itch does not require medical attention. If a rash is present, these are the best ways to treat it at home:

• Use corticosteroid cream,
• Apply a cool compress to the area,
• Bath in Epsom salts or baking soda, or
• Use an anti-itch lotion.

For more information on swimmer’s itch, click here. To stay updated on all health-related news, subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. If you're looking for more information about HDNW, call us locally at 800-432-4121 or visit our website at nwhealth.org.