With summer well underway locals and tourists are itching to get to the lake, but health officials are warning against parasites that will leave you itching for relief.
Known as “swimmer’s itch,” a rash can appear after swimming or wading in lakes and ponds infested with parasites. The microscopic bugs burrow under your skin causing intense burning and itching. Oneida County Community Health Specialist Maria Otterholt says the parasites live in the blood of waterfowl animals such as geese, ducks, beavers and muskrats. She says the rash can show up as soon as you get out of the water or take as long as a couple of days to appear….
“…but the good news for humans is we are not susceptible hosts for them, so the parasites will die off rather shortly within a couple days after they appear there and then you’ll be better. More times than not, you won’t need medical treatment for this, it will just be an unpleasant rash that’ll appear for a couple days after you get out of the water.”
Otterholt says the rash will appear as raised bumps similar to pimples or blisters and will clear up on its own.
She says if you contract swimmer’s itch you can control the itching with over-the-counter anti-itch creams, a cold-compress or a cold bath.
Otterholt says to avoid swimmer’s itch shower or dry off immediately after swimming and to avoid swimming in marshy waters where snails are commonly found.
