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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Swimmers' itch is an itchy rash caused by certain parasites that normally live on waterfowl and freshwater snails.
On warm, sunny days — especially in calm freshwater lakes or ponds — these parasites can be released into the water. During your swim, these parasites might burrow into your skin, where they cause the swimmers' itch rash. But, humans aren't suitable hosts for these parasites, so the parasites soon die.
Although uncomfortable, swimmers' itch is usually short-lived. The rash of swimmers' itch, also called cercarial dermatitis, typically clears up on its own within a few days. In the meantime, you can control itching with over-the-counter or prescription medications.
- Swimmer's itch (cercarial dermatitis). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/cercarialdermatitis/factsht_cercarialdermatitis.htm. Accessed Nov. 18, 2008.
- Dermatitis Associated with Swimming: Swimmer's itch (fresh water). In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/115584098-5/788496731/1195/100.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-01319-8..50017-0--cesec175_1921. Accessed Jan. 5, 2009.
- Cercarial dermatitis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.dpd.cdc.gov/dpdx/HTML/CercarialDermatitis.htm. Accessed Nov. 18, 2008.
- Swimmer's itch. In: Rakel RE. Textbook of Family Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/110283016-4/772117944/1481/306.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2467-5..50029-4--cesec30_1377. Accessed Nov. 14, 2008.
