The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned. This information is for educational purposes only. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. Although many people like to watch wildlife, don’t encourage waterfowl to use swimming areas frequented by people feeding them. Once leaving the water, swimmers should immediately rinse with freshwater and dry their skin with a towel. Strong swimmers may consider swimming swim deeper water where they are less likely to encounter the parasite. These areas can include lake bottoms with organic materials that promote snail growth, such as marshy areas. Michigan State University Extension and Michigan Sea Grant recommend that swimmers avoid areas that are known to cause swimmers itch. Measures can be taken to prevent getting swimmers itch. The more time a swimmer spends in this type of environment, the risk increases for getting swimming itch. Areas that contain the swimmers itch parasite are usually along the shoreline and shallow areas where waterfowl frequent. This usually occurs in the late summer months. Swimmers itch usually occurs when the air and water temperatures are warm enough for snails to reproduce and grow. It usually clears up on its own in several days. When the parasite is in the skin, it causes an inflammatory reaction that leads to itching. These parasites die immediately upon human contact as humans are not a host for this parasite. It is when these free-swimming parasites encounter a swimmer, which can lead to swimmers itch as it penetrates the skin. At the life stages when the flatworm parasite leaves the freshwater snail and swims freely in the water, they usually encounter waterfowl to complete their life cycle. Swimmers itch is caused by a flatworm parasite that uses freshwater snails and waterfowl as its hosts in its life cycle. ![]() This is usually caused by what is called swimmers itch. At times, soon after a swim, some swimmers can come down with a skin irritation that causes extreme itching. The summer season is in full swing in Michigan and many people take to ponds, inland lakes, and the Great Lakes to escape the heat.
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