![]() ![]() If your child has swimmer’s itch, it’s OK for them to go into a swimming pool that is well maintained and chlorinated. The parasites penetrate the first layer of skin, but get no further than that. Although swimmer’s itch sounds nasty, it won't do your child any harm. No public health department requires that swimmer's itch be reported, so there is no way to identify all of the places where it occurs. (See Bab圜enter’s visual guide to children's rashes and skin conditions ). Note: Swimmer’s itch is not the only rash that can occur after swimming in fresh water. Scratching may lead to open wounds and bacterial infection. (Note that the pimples can be harder to see on dark skin). Little red pimples/bumps or blisters appear within minutes to hours (but often within minutes) on areas not covered by swimsuits. ![]() This may last up to a week, sometimes more, but will gradually go away. The more often you or your child wade or swim in contaminated water, the more severe the reaction to the parasite is likely to be. The rash and the itching will generally go away within a few days. Fortunately, the parasite dies after entering the skin. The rash occurs on skin that is not covered by clothing. Swimmer’s itch happens when the parasites burrow into the skin and cause a reaction that leads to small, itchy, red bumps. The parasites are at their peak in the summer months of June, July, and August. Working with various provincial and municipal partners, the lab is examining what areas are affected and developing strategies for reducing transmission and improving usage of Alberta's recreational water sites.Swimmer’s itch (schistosome cercarial dermatitis) is an allergic reaction to tiny parasites present in some lakes and ponds. He and his students are working on monitoring parasites in Alberta lakes. ![]() Locally, Hanington has a number of projects underway in his lab. Hanington has studied parasitic immunology and swimmer's itch both in Alberta and around the world since 2008. This information is based on research by Patrick Hanington, associate professor with the School of Public Health. You can see if swimmer's itch has been reported in a lake by checking out this interactive map. The symptoms of swimmer's itch can be alleviated by using any anti-itch treatment. To help prevent swimmer's itch, towel off immediately after leaving the water and avoid swimming in shallow or highly-vegetated areas. Swimmer's itch is not dangerous and will usually go away within a week or two, although scratching can cause secondary bacterial infections. Swimmer's itch is not contagious and cannot be spread from one person to another. Children are most often affected by swimmer's itch because they tend to swim, wade, and play in the shallow water where the parasites live. Summer is the most common time to develop swimmer's itch. The rash can look like small mosquito bites, pimples or blisters on the skin. Every lake in Alberta is likely to have the right conditions to be a home to the parasites that cause swimmer's itch. Swimmer's itch is also called lake itch, duck rash and cercarial dermatitis (in some circles). Ten Things You Need to Know About Swimmer's Itchġ. Swimmer's itch occurs in both fresh and salt waters around the world and Alberta is no exception. This rash, called swimmer's itch, is a common condition caused by an allergic reaction to parasites that live in the water. Have you ever had itchy red spots on your legs after wading in a lake during the summer? Maybe you've noticed red rash covering the legs of children and other beach goers. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |