The Greenwich Division of Well being is issuing a warning about circumstances of “swimmer’s itch” at Greenwich Level seashore.
The allergic response, cercarial dermatitis, is to tiny parasites which can be launched from snails into contemporary and saltwater, in line with the well being division.
Swimmer’s itch presents as an itchy rash with pimples or blisters, in line with the Mayo Clinic.
It isn’t contagious and can’t be unfold from one particular person to a different, in line with the Greenwich Division of Well being.
Signs of swimmer’s itch
Tingling, burning or itching of the pores and skin inside minutes or days
Look of small reddish pimples on the pores and skin inside about 12 hours
Small blisters might happen on the website of the small pimples
The well being division warns that scratching can result in an infection.
Therapy
If a rash develops, these are choices for aid:
Corticosteroid cream
Cool compresses to the affected space
Bathing in Epsom salts or baking soda
Soak in colloidal oatmeal baths
Making use of baking soda paste to the rash
Anti-itch lotion
When you develop an an infection after scratching, contact your well being care supplier instantly.
The way to cut back the chance of swimmer’s itch
Towel dry and bathe instantly after leaving the showering water and completely rinse areas beneath the showering go well with.
Examine for postings warning of swimmer’s itch when deciding whether or not to go swimming within the water noting that indicators have been posted about swimmer’s itch being reported from the recreation swimming space and being posted at identical seashore places as a precautionary measure.
As a precaution, the Greenwich Division of Well being has requested that each one native seashores publish notifications for residents of the potential threat of swimmer’s itch.
If the issue intensifies, the division will contemplate closing a seashore location to swimming.
The Mayo Clinic mentioned swimmer’s itch often clears inside a couple of days.
