Aquacide Blog — Swimmers Itch

What is Swimmers Itch? Swimmers Itch (also known as Cercarial dermatitis, Lake Itch and Duck Itch) is an itchy rash that is caused by a certain type of parasite (shistosomes) that live in freshwater snails and waterfowl that gather among lake weeds. As part of their life-cycle, these parasites are released on warm sunny days and migrate through the water.  They then reattach to swimmers by burrowing into the skin.  Humans are not good hosts so the parasites soon die while still under the skin, which may cause an allergic reaction. Who gets Swimmers Itch? All age groups and both sexes can...