![]() The parasites can’t live in a human host, so they die off while in the skin and are flushed out. Expect cercarial dermatitis to last a few days, and sometimes up to seven days. The rash isn’t usually far behind, often appearing within a few to 12 hours, and reliably within 48 hours. The itching of swimmer’s itch can begin within minutes of infection. The rash typically only appears on skin that was directly exposed to the water, and not covered by your swimsuit or any accessories. And it’s tingly or itchy, but usually not severely so. It may be a patchy pinpoint rash, or look more like pimples or blisters. You can’t spread the rash or the infection to another person or animal. The parasites causing swimmer’s itch are acquired in warm water, so it’s most common during summer months. They will enter a human if the opportunity presents itself, but they can’t live for long or continue their life cycle in a human host. Once they do, the parasites exit the snail and swim around looking for a host. Their eggs are released via an infected bird’s feces, and if they end up in the water, larvae hatch. Gross, huh? These parasites normally live in waterfowl, wading birds, and migrating birds, as well as some mammals, like raccoons, beavers, and muskrats. Cause of Swimmer’s ItchĬercarial dermatitis is an allergic reaction to infection by a parasite that burrows into the skin. So, here’s what you need to know about swimmer’s itch. It’s not a particularly serious condition, but it’s definitely a nuisance. ![]() It’s much more common in freshwater bodies like lakes and ponds, but it can occur in salt water, too. The condition known as swimmer’s itch-or cercarial dermatitis for a more technical-sounding name-can affect people who swim or wade in warm open water in most places around the world.
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