(Spirit Lake)– If you’ve been swimming in any area lakes recently and you’re scratching a lot, chances are you’ve contracted a skin disorder commonly known as “swimmer’s itch”.
Mary Dunleavy of Dickinson County Public Health says they typically see an increase in “swimmer’s itch” cases this time of year.
Dunleavy says it’s caused by parasites from birds and snails that form flatworms that live in the water. The flatworms can make their way into your skin, where they die, resulting in itching and red spots.
Dunleavy says there are several things you can do to try to limit your exposure to “swimmer’s itch”. For example, if the wind is coming toward the shore, Dunleavy recommends you limit your time in shallow water. She says you should thoroughly dry yourself with a towel–don’t air-dry. She also recommends taking a shower as soon as possible after you get out of the lake.
Dunleavy says “swimmer’s itch” cannot be transferred from person-to-person. She says antihistimine creams can help ease the itch, which usually lasts a couple of days.
Dunleavy says her office has received a couple of reports of people that have contracted “swimmer’s itch” already this season.
