![]() ![]() The snail then releases a different type of microscopic larvae known as cercariae - hence why swimmer’s itch is also called cercarial dermatitis. If the larvae locate the specific snail species, it will infect it and multiply. These larvae then search for specific host species of aquatic snails. If the eggs land in the water, they hatch and release microscopic larvae. The adult parasite lives in the blood of certain infected waterfowl and mammals, and produces eggs that are passed in feces. The parasite that causes swimmer’s itch has a fascinating and complex life cycle. In fact, they cannot survive in humans at all and die almost immediately upon burrowing into your skin. ![]() While the word parasite might make your skin crawl, fear not: the itchiness and bumps that are the telltale signs of swimmer’s itch are not caused by a parasite actually living under your skin. In reality, swimmer’s itch is a temporary skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to microscopic parasites that infect some birds and mammals. While stories from unlucky itchy swimmers might sound scary, the symptoms aren’t quite as dramatic as the tales you may have heard. Swimmer’s itch is steeped in local folklore and the myths about what causes it are unfortunately mostly not true. ![]() While dodging mosquitos and slathering on the sunscreen seem like second nature, what about avoiding the dreaded diagnosis of swimmer’s itch? From mosquito bites and peeling sunburns to mysterious skin rashes, we’ve all experienced a bit of epidermal irritation during the dog days of summer. "We're trying to learn a little bit about the species of parasite that cause swimmer's itch here and what animals they're using as their hosts, which ultimately we hope will help us predict when and where swimmer's itch is most at risk to people who are using the lakes in Alberta," Hanington said.Itchy skin seems like an unavoidable outcome of summertime adventures. Hanington suggests staying away from reeds and plants in a lake because that's where snails are often found. Most of the other parasites penetrate your skin while you're still in the water, so there's no way to avoid contracting swimmer's itch, he said.īut you can minimize the chances of getting the rash.Įarly July to mid-August are peak season for swimmer's itch. Avoid swimming in the early morning, since that's when the parasites tend to emerge from their snail hosts and are most active. Some people have misconceptions about swimmer's itch. If a rash develops, Hanington said, stay out of the water, since it's likely you'll develop a worse case of swimmer's itch. Don't avoid lake swimmingĪt first, don't spend a long time in the water, get out after 10 minutes and check your skin for red spots. "It's really about testing the water a little bit before you get in," he said. Information from past surveys found that 10 to 15 per cent of those who get the rash go to see a physician, he said.īut just because a lake has swimmer's itch doesn't mean it should be avoided, he said. Using past survey data from the website, they have concluded it could be a problem in any lake in the country.īetween 20 it was found in 101 lakes across Alberta. They have a website swimmersitch.ca that provides information on their research, a survey for people to report contracting the rash, and a new map each summer showing lakes across Canada and into the United States where swimmer's itch has been reported. Hanington and his team have been studying swimmer's itch in Alberta since 2011. The microscopic parasite leaves the snail by "coming right out of the body - a lot like that movie Aliens," Hanington said. The parasite that is the most common cause of swimmer's itch in Alberta uses freshwater snails as a host. ![]()
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