The doctor told about the "bather's itch" after swimming in lakes and ponds

After swimming in lakes and ponds, people get "bather's itch," and in some cases, the temperature rises. Olga Ulankina, Candidate of Medical Sciences, expert doctor at the Hemotest Laboratory, told Izvestia on July 9 why the disease occurs and how to reduce the risk of infection.

According to her, "bather's itch" is cercarial dermatitis, a skin reaction caused by parasite larvae. The causative agents are cercariae, larvae of blood flukes (schistosomes), which usually parasitize waterfowl. Parasites enter the reservoir along with the feces of ducks and geese. Larvae appear from the eggs, which first infect freshwater mollusks, and then turn into cercariae. They can accidentally get under human skin.

"Cercariae feel best in reservoirs with stagnant water or a weak current, where the water warms up to 20 degrees and above in summer. Therefore, infection most often occurs in ponds, lakes, and reservoirs inhabited by waterfowl. In fast—flowing rivers and seawater, such larvae practically do not survive," Ulankina explained.

For humans, humans are an accidental host: parasites cannot develop in their body. However, when they get on the skin, they trigger an inflammatory reaction. The first signs usually appear 15-30 minutes after bathing, sometimes after several hours. Tingling, burning, and redness occur, followed by small red spots and blisters, which are accompanied by severe itching.

Ulankina drew attention to the fact that the main feature of the disease is that the rash appears only on those parts of the body that have been in contact with water. The shins, thighs, hands and forearms are most often affected. At the same time, the areas covered by a swimsuit or swimming trunks usually remain unchanged. This localization helps to distinguish cercarial dermatitis from allergies or insect bites.

Despite the unpleasant symptoms, the parasites themselves do not pose a serious danger to humans. They do not penetrate into the internal organs and die in the skin within a few hours. However, their breakdown products cause an immune reaction that causes itching and inflammation.

Duck stories: what is the danger of swimming in polluted water

Doctors told us what health problems can be earned if you do not follow personal hygiene.

In most cases, the symptoms resolve on their own within a few weeks. Sometimes areas of pigmentation may persist after rashes. The main danger is associated with scratching the skin. With severe itching, a person can damage the skin until it bleeds. Bacteria easily enter through such wounds, which leads to the development of a secondary infection and may require additional treatment.

Children should be especially attentive to prevention.: they stay in the water longer and swim more often in shallow water, where the concentration of cercariae may be higher, the doctor added. People with allergies, sensitive skin, and reduced immunity are also at risk. Re—infection is possible - with subsequent contacts, the body's reaction may be more pronounced.

To protect yourself from the "itch of the bather", experts advise choosing official beaches for recreation, where the water quality is monitored by sanitary services. It is better to avoid reservoirs with a lot of ducks and geese, as well as places with blooming water, unpleasant odors or signs of pollution.

"After bathing, it is important to take a shower with soap, dry yourself thoroughly with a towel and change into dry clothes. These simple measures help to reduce the risk of developing unpleasant reactions," Ulankina recommended.

If you experience a characteristic rash and severe itching, you should consult a doctor. The specialist will be able to confirm the diagnosis and choose the treatment. Antihistamines and skin treatments may be prescribed to reduce symptoms. It is not recommended to use alcohol or green tea to treat such a rash.: they do not affect the cause of the disease and can additionally irritate the skin. Antibiotics are also not used without indications — they are needed only when a bacterial infection is present.

On June 24, Victoria Fisyuk, a gynecologist of the highest category at SM Clinic, stated that prolonged exposure to a wet swimsuit can provoke skin irritation and microflora disorders, especially in women prone to cystitis, vaginitis and candidiasis. An important factor is the size and style of the product. Cramped models disrupt air circulation and create excessive pressure, which leads to micro-damage to the skin. The specialist advises to be careful with ultra-light models due to increased friction in sensitive areas.