Swimmers Itch Prevent? Cure?
John Snyder
I've heard that it comes from waterfowl feces in a small freshwater lake.
I shower right after getting out. Is there something I can put on to
prevent the investation? I was told that worms {larvae?} burrow under your
skin and lay eggs. They look like zits then weep and
crust over. External applictions don't seem to help
[benadryl, calamine, aloe vera, solarcaine]
Help, this lake is 5 doors from my house and I don't want
to find another!
Itchy and Scratchy in Seattle.
John
Pablo Rodriguez
my skin examined by your Doctor.Medical advice through the net can
be hazardous to your health!! You may need remedies that require
a prescription.
GARY WOOD
My family's ex-cottage was on a small lake in Ontario, and it 'got' the
itch over the space of a few years. The story we got was taht it was
caused by some near-microscopic offal (awful) from snails...
regardless, we found very little to help. Lots of 'rural-cures' like
a wipedown with diluted bleach after swimming, etc, and hot, soapy
showers. All might help somewhat, but I beleive the greebies get into
your pores while in the water, then just die there. The discomfort
comes whenyour body starts to break them down as a foreign body...
If you do find a cure, post it, cause the cycle of itch seems to hit
lakes in certain areas every few years.
p.s. don't scratch, and wear double neoprene over your most important
parts :)
John Mansfield
> I have a severe case of swimmers itch, 40 or more bumps.
> I've heard that it comes from waterfowl feces in a small freshwater lake.
> I shower right after getting out. Is there something I can put on to
> prevent the investation? I was told that worms {larvae?} burrow under your
> skin and lay eggs. They look like zits then weep and
> crust over. External applictions don't seem to help
> [benadryl, calamine, aloe vera, solarcaine]
> Help, this lake is 5 doors from my house and I don't want
> to find another!
> Itchy and Scratchy in Seattle.
> John
Swimmer's Itch is caused by a small parasite (schistosome) that normally
infects waterfowl. The stage of the parasite that affects man is one
released from snails (an intermediate host in the life cycle of this
organism) that is seeking a new bird host. If these contact the skin of
humans, they penetrate part way into the skin and then die (they do not
lay eggs, and you are not infected, in the classical sense) since we
aren't their normal host; unfortunately, we develop quite an allergic
reaction to many of the proteins of this organism. Therefore, the
cutaneous reactions you are experiencing are hypersensitivity reactions
that will take a while to resolve. The topical treatments you would use
for poison ivy will work, but you might require some more aggressive
treatment (see your physician). "Prevention" sometimes works: vigorously
towel any exposed skin dry upon leaving the water, and follow with a
shower as soon as possible. Normally, outbreaks of this parasite are
somewhat limited, based on water temperatures and time of the year. Good
luck...
____________________________________________________
Mistral Edge, Screamer and Explosion/Waddell and Ezzy sails
http://apollo.ahabs.wisc.edu/Individuals/Faculty/Mansfield,John/home.html
____________________________________________________
bill eickhoff
>
>I have a severe case of swimmers itch, 40 or more bumps.
Some advice from the other side of the planet.
I have been told this itch is caused by tiny mites that
normaly live on waterfowl.
Anyway I sometimes get it around my ankles, wrists and neck.
The wetsuit margins. I have not found anything to rub on that
helps, but half an hour in the hot tub or a really hot shower
seems to fix the little beasties. This can be several hours
after I get off the water.
Bill from Oz