Swimmers Itch

[Rainyday101]

I spent about 2 hours in a local lake this weekend, found 1 zinc penny and the usual junk, and ended up getting swimmers itch. What a bummer, this crap itches like crazy and leaves red welts all over you body from the parasite. I just found out my next target lake is really bad for getting it too. They just had a mini triatholon there and most of the people swimming in it got swimmers itch with red welts all over their body. I am now leary of going into any lakes unless I wear my waders! For now I will stick to the rivers. Has anybody else had this experience with swimmers itch and how do you deal with it?

 

[mudpuppy]

Yeah, any warm lake where theres ducks and snails will have the itch...its a small parasite that burrows into snails, when the ducks eat them, they poop out the larvae....the larvae think your soft body is a snails, so they burrow into you! Ah, the circle of Life! Anyway, try rubbing your legs and any skin exposed to the water with Vicks Vapo-Rub before you go in. It should provide a protective barrier that the larvae cant or wont dig through. Does it work? I don't know, I think it might be better than nothing, I just made all this up, but am going to give it a try this year myself. Should also repel leeches and any other creepy crawlies. As my avatar implies, I spend a lot of time in these locations that harbor the nasties.
Mud

 

[Rainyday101]

Thanks mudpuppy. I think I will be wearing waders in these situations and sticking to cold water times for the lakes. I for sure don't want to get this crap again!!!

 

[Diggin-it]

I had that once years ago on my lower legs...holy cow that was then when I had Chicken Pox! The itching drove me insanely nuts! Never really thought about it on any of my water detecting trips...but now its going to always be on my mind. Stay away from lakes with known duck populations! Sorry Mud...but there is no magic prevention of it, the Internet is full of myths. This is a quote from the Mayo Clinic website: There's no evidence that applying sunscreen, lotions or creams helps prevent swimmer's itch.

 

[mudpuppy]

Welllll...I was hoping somebody would try out the Vapo-rub thing before I did! Figured since Rainy already has the itch, he has nothing to lose! I did not get this idea from the internet, just my little old brain itself thought it up! I don't think a larvae can chew through Vapo Rub! Say, don't those ocean swimmers coat themselves with vasoline to keep the jellyfish from tearing them up? I'll give it a go.
Mud

 

[fwcrawford]

Never heard of this before.. thanks for bringing it up.. at least if I get it, I will be aware of what it is.. never heard of anyone having this before.

 

[Kossie]

There are more infection hazards in stagnant fresh water during or after periods of high temperatures and low wind conditions. Blue-green algae, botulism, leptospirosis and e-coli to name a few. Swimmers-itch will subside within a few days to a few weeks. But I wouldn't recommend taking any chances. Just avoid direct skin contact. A pair of waders and long-sleeve gloves will do but a wetsuit won't.