Description

Itching of swimmer is a rash that can occur after you go to swim or wade in the outdoor. It is more common after being in freshwater lakes and ponds, but can get it in salt water too.

Itching of swimmer is usually caused by a reaction to the small parasites in the water that penetrate into your skin while you're swimming or walking in warm, calm water. These parasites cannot survive in the people, so soon will die.

Itching of swimmer usually goes away on its own within a couple of days. In the meantime, you can control the itching with the medicine.

Symptoms

Swimmer's itch symptoms include an itchy rash that looks like pimples or blisters. Symptoms can begin in a matter of minutes or as long as two days after swimming or wading in contaminated water.

Usually the rash affects the skin that is not covered by the bathing suits, wet suits, or wading birds. Their sensitivity to the itching of swimmer may increase every time you are exposed to the parasites that cause.

When to see a doctor

Talk with your health care provider if you have a rash after swimming that lasts more than a week. If there is pus in the eruption of a site, consult with your health care provider. You may be referred to a doctor who specializes in skin diseases (dermatologist).

Causes

Swimmer's itch is caused by an allergic reaction to parasites that penetrate your skin to hot water. These parasites are found in some of the animals that live near ponds and lakes, such as geese, ducks and muskrats.

Parasites of eggs enter the water through animal waste. When the young parasites of the hatch, they live and grow in a type of snail that lives in shallow waters. The snails, then release the parasites in the water, where they can infect humans.

The itching of the swimmer is not contagious from person to person.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase the risk of swimmer's itch, which include:

  • Spending time in the water that is infested with certain parasites.
  • Forget to dry with a towel after you get out of the water.
  • Be sensitive to the parasites that cause itching of swimmer.

Complications

Itching of swimmer's usually not serious, but your skin can become infected if you scratch the rash.

Prevention

Follow these tips to avoid itching of swimmer:

  • Choose places to swim with care. Avoid being in the water near the shore, where itching of swimmer is a known issue, or where signs have been posted warning of the risk. Also avoid being in marshy areas where snails are often found.
  • Rinse after swimming. Rinse exposed skin with clean water right after you get out of the water. Then dry the skin with a towel.
  • Omit the bread crumbs. Do not feed the birds in the docks and near swimming areas.

Diagnosis

Your health care provider will likely diagnose swimmer's itch by looking at your skin and talk with you about your activities and symptoms. The condition can be seen as a poison ivy rash, and other skin conditions. There are No specific tests to diagnose the itching of swimmer.

Treatment

Itching of swimmer usually goes away by itself within a week. If the itching is severe, your doctor may recommend prescription-strength creams or lotions.

Lifestyle and home remedies

These tips can help reduce the itching:

  • Apply a corticosteroid cream or an anti-itch lotion, such as those that contain calamine.
  • Take an oral antihistamine over-the-counter (Benadryl) or loratadine (Alavert, Claritin, and others). The last type, it produces less drowsiness than Benadryl.
  • Avoid scratching the skin.
  • Cover affected areas with a clean, damp washcloth.
  • Immerse yourself in a bath, sprinkled with Epsom salt, baking soda or oatmeal-based bath product (Aveeno, other).
  • Make a paste of baking soda and water, and then apply it to the affected skin.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely to start by seeing your primary health care provider. Or you may be referred immediately to a specialist in skin diseases (dermatologist).

What you can do

Before your appointment, you might want to write a list of answers to the following questions:

  • When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
  • Has been swimming or wading on the outside recently?
  • Does anyone else that went to swim with you develop a rash?
  • What medications and supplements that you take regularly?

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care provider is likely to ask a series of questions, such as:

  • The symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
Symptoms and treatment of itching of Swimmer