(Spirit Lake)– The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says its getting reports of swimmer’s itch on area lakes.
The condition is caused by a parasitic flatworm that tried to burrow into the skin of swimmers. Since humans are not a suitable host, the parasite quickly dies but often causes an allergic reaction.
Symptoms can include an itchy rash or small red welts on the skin. Symptoms usually clear up on their own in a few days and can usually be treated with over-the-counter medications such as anti-itch cream or antihistamines. Anyone with a rash that doesn’t clear up after a few days should see a physician.
Swimmers can avoid swimmer’s itch by avoiding shorelines where the wind has been blowing in. The wind and waves can accumulate the parasite. Swimmers should towel off or wash immediately after getting out of the water. Allowing your skin to air dry concentrates the parasites and will worsen the condition.
DNR officials say swimmer’s itch usually peaks in the Iowa Great Lakes in June and subsides before the 4th of July, but because of lower than usual water temperatures, they say the incidents may peak a couple of weeks later this year.
DNR officials say that while they’ve had reports of swimmer’s itch from all of the Iowa Great Lakes, most of the reports have been coming from East Lake Okoboji.
