Be sure to dry underneath waistbands and around leg openings of swimming suits. Rub your skin briskly to remove water drops before they begin to evaporate. Although even careful adherence to the recommendations may not be 100% successful in preventing an outbreak, you can minimize the extent of irritation and itching.
You can reduce the likelihood of suffering swimmer’s itch by following these simple guidelines.
There are no reported long-term effects from swimmer’s itch and the parasite that causes it will not survive in humans. About 30-40% of people who come in contact with the parasite are sensitive and experience irritation. The irritation may last from a few days to several weeks, depending on an individual’s sensitivity. It appears on your skin as red, itchy, bite-like welts within several hours of leaving the water. Swimmer’s Itch, technically known as schistosome dermatitis, is a common malady around Minnesota’s lakes during midsummer.
