Swimmers itch

SCOTT RIDOUT · Post by **SCOTT RIDOUT** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 12:11 pm

I got a small case of swimmers itch from Waconia this last Saturday, couple on my left leg and one on my right forearm, just a heads up to remember to towle off as soon as you get out or if available fresh water wash off immediately after getting out of the water, or wear a wet suite.

johnbaker17 · Post by **johnbaker17** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 12:56 pm

Same case for White Bear Lake, though I thought they had treated the water already. Still getting the itchies.

steveb · Post by **steveb** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 7:41 pm

I got really hit by swimmers itch this weekend, never had it before in Cedar...got about 30 hits....agh!.
Nancy did a little research on the web and there are apparently 2 kinds of itch, one you can towel off and one you cannot. Since I could feel it and ran inside for quick shower and I still look like a join the dots cartoon, guess which version got me?.

johnbaker17 · Post by **johnbaker17** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 8:00 pm

I've never had it at White Bear either. Seems like there are a number of lakes that have it this year when they haven't previously. Can anyone confirm that? Or maybe I'm just off-base?

tyson · Post by **tyson** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 8:44 pm

are you guys talking about these mosquito-bite like things? i've got like 5 random ones on my leg, i didn't know they were from the lake?

johnbaker17 · Post by **johnbaker17** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 8:53 pm

It's called "swimmers itch" and I believe it comes from the snails somehow. Might want to google it.

SCOTT RIDOUT · Post by **SCOTT RIDOUT** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 6:17 am

It's a parasite that usually attach's to ducks and snails, it burrows into it's host and with Ducks and Snails the snails die and it gets reintroduced into the water and finds another host. In Ducks it goes into the duck the duck takes a crap and it gets reintroduced once again. When it hits a human it burrows into the skin and then dies because it can't get back out, hence the itch. It usually pusses up a little and itch's like crazy, the best thing I have done so far it try and not itch if you can and use clear fingernail polish over the top of it and it stops it right away, the hardest part is trying not to itch and break open the skin to bad. I had a big case of it last year on Milly, I must of had 20 or so on me, so what I did was wear my 3/4 steamer and covered my legs, never had any after covering up, I think what I'm going to probably end up doing is just wear my steamer all year so I just get any more, it sucks but it's the only way I know of to not get it any more?

Tom L · Post by **Tom L** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 7:21 am

I've still been wearing a really thin shorty and never had any problems with the "itch". Wonder if that's why. I'd think it could easily get under the edges of a wetsuit, maybe not.

Tighe · Post by **Tighe** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 7:59 am

I've been covering myself with all kinds of nasty chemicals, paints, solvents, caulks, plaster, mineral spirits, etc on a daily basis as I work on this project and have had no problems so far without a wetsuit. So you guys must "appear" tasty to these guys.

steveb · Post by **steveb** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 8:15 am

I know some of you are followers of fashion and will not dream of wearing my solution, but I wear a pair of kite pants. For the non kiters they are a pair of long ( to the ankles) board shorts. They are light, comfortable, keep the sun off and apparently swimmers itch.The day I got the itch, and I'm covered with it, I didn't wear them. The next day I did and got no more hits of the ugly little parasite.
I got mine from Jason, I'm sure he still has a few pairs.

Nancy · Post by **Nancy** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 9:03 am

White Bear has had the itch for many years...I'm sure like all the lakes around here. They close the beaches for a day about once a summer and treat with copper sulfate (kills the snails that host the larvae which are released to find a host bird but sometimes find us instead). Your best bet is to rinse off and/or towel off right away, and wear tight fitting clothes like a swimsuit or wetsuit...I think Steve just got lucky with the baggy pants. Avoid prolonged periods in shallow water, especially where the winds are onshore.

We've been dabbing on a little hydrocortisone 1% cream...seems to stop the itch enough. You could also try a diphenhydramine cream or calamine lotion on the bites. They usually are bothersome for about 3 days and are mostly gone in a week. I still prefer swimmers itch to jellyfish and sharks!
PS...Tighe...our email is down...haven't forgotten you!

Professor Robae' · Post by **Professor Robae'** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 9:46 am

Does that Bug & Sun Coppertone product someone mentioned earlier this year work?

Swimmer's itch is no fun!

Stroh · Post by **Stroh** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 10:44 am

I hate rideing in a wet suite (you don't get a tan) and I normaly only put sunscreen on my face, and I never towel off after rideing... I don't think I have ever had swimmers itch.

however I do have something that looks like a big misqueto bite... but there is no puss or litle black dot.... I was assuming it was a misqueto bite.... am I wrong??? I still wouldn't put a wet suite on... can't scarfice the nice tan....

Jon

johntr · Post by **johntr** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 11:34 am

I got hit with a bunch of swimmer's itch this spring at WBL, some at Ramsey and more at Bellaire. I've had it occasionally before, but it seems worse this year.

One trick that makes a big difference for me: don't spend much time in the shallow water. I was helping a beginner the other day at Bellaire, and all the time in the shallow water was deadly.

I also find toweling off vigorously helps ... but doesn't completely prevent the itches.

John

Professor Robae' · Post by **Professor Robae'** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 11:40 am

Stroh wrote:I hate rideing in a wet suite (you don't get a tan)

I still wouldn't put a wet suite on... can't scarfice the nice tan....

Jon

Captain Cool Stroh

That's right Cap'n Stroh: No tan = no genuine Best girls!!!

ps: thanks for the launch the other day!

kiteboymn · Post by **kiteboymn** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 12:19 pm

I've got like a hundred swimmers itch bites from the mid thigh down because of the fact that I was wearing a shorty wetsuit.
It was either North Long or Milly (on the north ends) wear I got mine.

These itchy little devils just love the crotch area, so don't wear your shorty for now and be a real hit with the girls!

KB

Tom L · Post by **Tom L** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 1:56 pm

I got some of thoses bites this weekend on Milly at the gathering. They are around where my shorty or my bordshorts end (right above the knee). They are just showing up now, 2 days after I was in the water!

Stroh · Post by **Stroh** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 2:20 pm

those itchy litle Bastards seem to be hanging out arround Malmo. so far that is the only place I have got them.

Tighe · Post by **Tighe** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 3:39 pm

my legs are covered with finger nail polish. Tip: Don't put on the polish on in the car or in a seated position. Standing up rips most of the surrounding hair off.

I was standing in the water for hours teaching and forgot to put suntan lotion on my legs...so I was ripe for the pickin'. Viv Clark did a report on them last year. She said they are only around for the two weeks following the 4th of July....we may want to choose another date for next year.

TomG · Post by **TomG** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 3:41 pm

Thats a good idea steve. I may have to go that route. I have more of these things than I can shake a stick at. I think there's a conspericay!