Swimmer's Itch

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

What is swimmer’s itch?

Swimmer’s itch is caused by an allergic reaction to certain parasites found in infested water. These parasites burrow into the skin of nearby swimmers, triggering an allergic reaction and rash. However, because humans are not suitable hosts, the parasites cannot survive or develop and die shortly after.

What are the signs and symptoms of swimmer’s itch?

Symptoms may include:

• tingling, burning, or itching of the skin
• small reddish pimples
• small blisters

Symptoms may develop within minutes to days after swimming in contaminated water. Scratching these areas may result in secondary bacterial infections. The itching may last up to a week or more but will gradually go away.

The more often you are in contaminated water, the more likely you are to develop more serious symptoms, and the more intense and immediate symptoms may be.

Swimmer’s itch is not the only rash that may occur after swimming in fresh and salt water.

What do I do if I have swimmers' itch?

Most cases of swimmer’s itch do not require medical attention. If you have a rash, you may try the following:

• apply cool compress
• use corticosteroid cream (consult a pharmacist)
• colloidal oatmeal bath
• apply cool compress to the affected areas
• bathe in Epson salts or baking soda
• apply baking soda paste to the rash (made by stirring water into baking soda until it reaches a paste-like consistency)
• use an anti-itch lotion (consult a pharmacist)
  
  

Can swimmer’s itch spread from person to person?

No, swimmer’s itch is not contagious and cannot be spread from one person to another.

Who is at risk for swimmer’s itch?

Anyone who swims or wades in infested water may be at risk. Larvae are more likely to be in shallow waters by the shoreline. Children are most often affected as they tend to be in shallow water more than adults. Children are also less likely to towel dry when leaving the water.

What can I do to reduce the risk of swimmer’s itch?

To reduce the risk of developing swimmer's itch:

1. Do not swim in areas where swimmer’s itch is a known problem or where signs have been posted saying the water is unsafe.
2. Do not swim near or wade in marshy or shallow areas where snails are commonly found.
3. Towel dry or shower immediately after leaving the water.
4. Do not attract birds to areas where people are swimming.
   
   

Once an outbreak of swimmer’s itch has occurred in water, will the water always be unsafe?

No, many factors must occur for swimmer’s itch to become a problem in water.  However, there is no way to know how long the water may be unsafe.

 

What does Algoma Public Health do?

Algoma Public Health does not test beach water for the parasite that causes swimmer’s itch. Following complaints of swimmer’s itch at a public beach, Algoma Public Health sends out notices via social media, reminding the public of how to reduce the risk.

 

Check our Beach Warnings page to make sure the beach you are planning to attend does not have high levels of bacteria. 

 

For more information, please contact a Public Health Inspector at Algoma Public Health at 705-759-5286.