![]() ![]() "We’re in a drought, so the water is low, the lower water is warmer and the snails might be more abundant because of these conditions," Ekstrom added.Īnd it appears the warmth will only continue, with a streak of 90 degree days in the forecast over the next week. The DNR says keeping ducks and geese away from your shoreline and swimming father away from shore are key, as the parasites like shallow, warm water. "We do sunscreen and showers as soon as we get home, when we get home, everyone is jumping in the showers," Solis shared. There are creams and lotions to put on your body before you go into the water that say they will prevent swimmer’s itch, some say sunscreen also works, toweling off and taking a shower after you get out of the water is also recommended. "I wouldn’t be surprised if more people are experiencing swimmer’s itch right now because the days have been warm and people have been swimming more," Ekstrom said. The parasites can burrow into skin while people are in the water, causing an allergic reaction that appears as itchy red bumps. The DNR says swimmer’s itch is a temporary skin rash that is caused by parasites carried by waterfowl and snails. If it sounds like a small price to pay for itch-free swimming for you and your family, it is! Now if we could only figure out those mosquitos."It’s common in a lot of lakes, and when people swim, they tend to stay near shore and it tends to be more abundant near shorelines," said Bob Ekstrom, a regional aquatic habitat specialist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in Bemidji. Treatment should be effective in a few days and follow-up applications are typically required. It sinks to the bottom where the snails live and then dissolves. Copper Sulfate is EPA approved and people can swim during and after application. Copper Sulfate is toxic to the snails carrying the parasite but safe for swimmers. ![]() One way to do that is to treat your shoreline with a chemical molluscicide such as Copper Sulfate. To get rid of the parasite, you need to get rid of the snails. The best option is get rid of the parasite. But that’s not always possible, especially if the problem is in your own lake or pond. The irritation may last from a few days to several weeks, depending on an. It appears on your skin as red, itchy, bite-like welts within several hours of leaving the water. The one sure way to prevent Swimmer’s Itch is to avoid swimming in areas where it is a known problem. What Is Swimmer’s Itch Swimmer’s Itch, technically known as schistosome dermatitis, is a common malady around Minnesota’s lakes during midsummer. Showering after swimming is also often suggested, but by that time the parasite has already moved in and rinsing won’t help. The snails release the parasites into the water and if one comes into contact with a swimmer, it burrows into the skin causing an allergic reaction and rash.Ĭommon tips for avoiding Swimmer’s Itch include applying a barrier to your skin, such as sunscreen or a lotion before swimming, but there is no evidence that such products help prevent swimmer’s itch. These snails are typically is found in shallow ponds or lakes, and tend to concentrate near the shoreline where the water is warmer. Swimmer’s Itch, also called mercurial dermatitis, is caused by flatworm larvae hosted by a particular variety snails. Once you’ve had a case, you certainly won’t want to get it again! So what is the best way to prevent Swimmer’s Itch? That could easily ruin a weekend, or even an entire vacation. Reddened spots, called papules, can itch intensely for up to a week, even with treatment. ![]() When it comes to summer nuisances, Swimmer’s Itch easily trumps mosquito bites. ![]()
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