If you’re planning on taking a dip in a B.C. lake or pond this summer, you may want to watch out for swimmer’s itch.

According to the Government of British Columbia, swimmer's itch is a temporary rash, which can last up to two weeks, caused by small worm-like parasites called schistosomes, which travel on snails or in the blood stream of ducks and other birds.

At a point in their life cycle, they travel to the surface of the water. There, the larvae might mistakenly get on your skin.

They will burrow under your skin but die soon after, as they can’t survive in humans. The allergic reaction to the tiny larvae under the skin causes what’s known as swimmer’s itch.

These parasites can be found in many lakes, ponds and along the coast during summer in British Columbia.

Young children who play in shallow areas of lakes and ponds may be at higher risk because that’s where the parasites are found. They have more sensitive skin than adults and they often don’t properly dry off.

You can’t completely avoid swimmer’s itch if you plan on swimming outside this summer, but you can reduce your risk.

Before swimming in a lake or pond, talk to other people about the condition of the water and check for warning signs at public beaches and picnic area. If you are unsure about the water, avoid areas with lots of weed growth where larvae may be.

Using a pier or dock can help reduce your exposure to the larvae on the surface of shallow water.

While sunscreen is great to protect you from the sun’s harmful rays, it can also help you prevent swimmer’s itch by giving your skin a protective barrier.  

Drying yourself off with a towel as soon as you come out of the water will also help, and so can showering immediately after swimming.

If you do get swimmer’s itch, it can become a severe, itchy red rash. Scratching can cause harsh pain and swelling and even infection. Symptoms usually get worse after repeated exposure, as people develop stronger allergic reactions each time.

Photo Credit: Cornellier/Wiki Commons.

As the larvae start to burrow into your skin, you may feel a tingling sensation. Small, pin sized red spots will appear which will grow into a red rash in a few hours and start to itch.

A rash may appear within 12 hours after infection. The infection may last from two to five days, but symptoms can remain for up to 14.

If you do get swimmer’s itch, try not to scratch it to avoid infection. Apply plain calamine lotion and take antihistamines, if needed. You can also try taking shallow, lukewarm baths with three tablespoons of baking soda in the water or colloidal oatmeal baths. Cool compresses may ease the symptoms.

Although swimmer’s itch is irritating, it usually isn’t dangerous and it can’t be spread from person to person.

For More Information, see the Ministry of Environment's brochure on the topic.