Resources Swimmer’s Treatment For more water related informa on, call (253) 7986470 or email [email protected]. Itch Facts

Most swimmer’s itch cases don’t require medical a en on. If you have a rash, try the following for relief:

• Use cor costeroid cream.

• Apply cool compresses to aff ected areas. For swimmer’s itch informa on, scan the QR code or visit www.tpchd.org/swimmersitch. • Bathe in Epsom salts or baking soda. Current Surface Water Advisories and • Soak in colloidal oatmeal baths. Lake Swimming Beaches www.tpchd.org/surfacewater • Apply baking soda paste to the rash (made by s rring water into baking soda Toxic Algae (Cyanobacteria) un l it reaches a pastelike consistency.) www.tpchd.org/toxicalgae

• Use an an itch lo on. Water Safety Tips Washington State Department of Health • See a doctor if symptoms persist. www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/ WaterRecrea on/LakeRiverandBeachSafety. Try not to scratch. Scratching may cause the aspx rash to become infected. If itching is severe, your health care provider may suggest Drowning preven on ps and life jacket prescrip onstrength lo on or cream to coupon–Sea le Children’s Hospital lessen your symptoms. www.sea lechildrens.org/classescommunity/ What you need communityprograms/drowningpreven on/

Healthy Swimming and Recrea onal to know! Water–CDC www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/

Rev. 7/14 What is Swimmer’s Itch? Signs and Symptoms

Each summer, swimmers report a skin rash, Within minutes to days a er swimming in commonly called swimmer’s itch (also called contaminated water, you may experience these cercarial derma s). symptoms:

• Caused by an allergic reac on to a • Tingling, burning, or itching of the skin parasite (cercariae) that burrow into swimmer’s skin. • Small reddish pimples*

• Most commonly occurs in early summer • Small blisters** at local lakes and beaches. Not everyone is sensi ve to swimmer’s itch. Where do the parasites come from? Reac ons vary from hardly no ceable to considerable pain, severe itching, swelling, and The adult parasite exists in the blood of infected possibly fever. waterfowl and aqua c animals. Reduce your Risk of Swelling usually subsides within a week, but redness can last longer. A person’s sensi vity Swimmer’s Itch. to swimmer’s itch may increase with each exposure. Do not: • Do not swim in areas where swimmer’s itch is a known problem or where signs are posted warning of unsafe water.

• Do not a ract ducks or other waterfowl (e.g., by feeding them) to areas where Who is at risk for swimmer’s itch? people are swimming.

Anyone who swims or wades in infested waters • Do not swim in areas where there are may be at risk. *Small reddish pimples may appear. o en ducks or other waterfowl.

Parasites that cause swimmer’s itch are more Do: likely to be present in shallow water by the • Apply a good, waterproof sunscreen shoreline. before you enter the water. There is evidence that this may provide some Children are most o en aff ected because they protec on. tend to swim, play, and wade in shallow water more than adults. • Towel off aggressively a er each swim.

Although it can be irrita ng, swimmer’s itch • Take a hot, soapy shower as soon as isn’t contagious. **Pimples may develop into small blisters. possible a er leaving the water.