

Not everyone who comes in contact with the parasites will be affected, according to research, because the blemishes they cause are the result of an allergic reaction. The parasite is present in lakes and reservoirs around the country, but no single state agency in Utah tracks the occurrence of swimmer's itch. Cases have also been reported at Sand Hollow Reservoir in Hurricane and at Wide Hollow Reservoir near Escalante, according to Utah State Parks spokeswoman Deena Loyola. Steinaker isn't the only state park in Utah with reports of swimmer's itch this summer. "In those cases, it's always good to see a doctor and get a proper diagnosis," Blake said. More severe cases, however, can last longer and may mask a more serious problem. It can be treated with topical ointments and over-the-counter antihistamines, Blake said. "Even without treatment, it's going to be a limited time that you'll have the problem," he added.Ī typical case of swimmer's itch causes discomfort for two or three days. "It's really more of a nuisance problem," Blake said. John Blake, a dermatologist at Uintah Basin Medical Center in Roosevelt. "It just comes into your skin, and once it's in there, you're an accidental host and the (larva) dies and it causes a little bug bite," said Dr. Swimmer's itch is caused when the free-swimming larvae of a waterborne parasite cast off by aquatic snails mistake humans for their intended host species - ducks. "That's when these larvae try to attach to you," he said. "Usually it's kids that get it," Murray said, noting that children tend to spend more time playing in the warmer water near the shore. It's the first time since 1999 that a case has been reported, he said.
#Willard bay swimmers itch skin#
The park has recorded "seven to 10" cases of cercarial dermatitis - the scientific term for the skin condition commonly known as swimmer's itch - so far this summer, Murray said. "I've worked here for 16 years and this is the second time I know that we've had it," said park manager Mike Murray. Below are links to all of our research publications.VERNAL - Low water levels, high temperatures and an abundance of aquatic snails have combined this year to cause an outbreak of "swimmer's itch" in the reservoir at Steinaker State Park. All of our research is undertaken with a vision for eventual publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, and when possible, we make that research open access to ensure that those affected by swimmer’s itch can access our work. We undertake long-term, planned research projects that aim to answer specific questions related to the parasites that cause swimmer’s itch and how their impact on water recreation can be minimized. Our primary goal is to advance our knowledge of swimmer’s itch. This international collaboration has been partnered since 2016 and has made a number of important contributions to our understanding of swimmer’s itch in North America. Patrick Hanington in the School of Public Health at University of Alberta (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada), and Ron Reimink and his team of researchers at Freshwater Solutions LLC (Michigan, USA). The core of our swimmer’s itch research team is formed by the laboratory of Dr. We also aim to apply our knowledge of swimmer’s itch causing parasites and their hosts to advancing novel control strategies that can exist in harmony with the environment and those who use water for recreation. We’re interested in learning more about the biology and ecology of the parasites that cause swimmer’s itch and about the environmental factors that influence where and when these parasites emerge from their snail hosts. Since 2012 we’ve been working to advance our understanding of swimmer’s itch.
