![]() There is also some evidence that snails may be capable of developing resistance to copper sulfate. Copper sulfate treatments often don’t kill enough of the target snails to eliminate swimmer’s itch. Long-term, heavy applications of copper sulfate can pose a significant threat to the health of aquatic environments. Copper, a toxic heavy metal, accumulates in lake sediments and can bioaccumulate in the living tissues of aquatic animals. A permit from Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) in Lansing is required prior to any aquatic use of the compound.Ĭopper sulfate is a nonspecific poison which means that it is toxic not only to snails, but also to many non-target aquatic plants and animals. The traditional method of controlling swimmer’s itch has been to attempt to kill the host snails with copper sulfate. Since the life cycle of the flatworm depends on the presence of both of its two intermediate hosts, the elimination of either will block reproduction. Before taking any of these drugs, however, consult your physician or dermatologist for advice. Antihistamines can be used to help relieve the itching while topical steroid creams may help to reduce the swelling. Over-the-counter drugs are available to reduce the symptoms of swimmer’s itch. Swimmer’s itch, although extremely annoying and uncomfortable, is not a communicable or fatal condition. For swimmer’s itch, itching is limited to points of cercarial entry and will not spread or develop into water blisters. Chigger bites are usually located at points where clothing contacts the skin such as wrists, waist, ankles, etc. The itchy, reddened, and raised areas are sometimes confused with bites from chiggers or mosquitoes and the symptoms may be misdiagnosed as those resulting from poison ivy or stinging nettles. Usually the reddened areas reach their largest size after approximately 24 hours. Many suffering from swimmer’s itch experience the most severe itching early in the morning. Symptoms include intermittent periods of itching that will continue for several days. At each point of entry a small red spot may appear and begin to itch. ![]() This may occur either while swimming or immediately after leaving the water. Those who are sensitive may feel a dull, prickly sensation as the larvae burrow into the skin. Some who are exposed to the larvae never develop the itch. Not all people are sensitive to swimmer’s itch. Each flatworm often uses just one species of snail and one kind of waterfowl as intermediate and definitive hosts to complete its life cycle. Both must be present in the same lake for the life cycle to be completed. The life cycle of the flatworm involves two very specific hosts. In the United States, the problem appears to be concentrated in the most northern tier of states. In North America, at least 30 states and parts of Canada have documented the skin condition. The life cycle and host requirements of those species responsible for swimmer’s itch differ widely, and the natural history of most is poorly understood. However, not all larval species cause swimmer’s itch. Many species of parasitic flatworms are naturally occurring in most lakes. The itching sensation is caused by an immune response to the dead larvae under the skin and responses vary by person. Since humans are not the proper host, the larvae soon die upon burrowing into the skin. The larvae, known as cercariae, are only 1/32 of an inch long and generally invisible to the naked eye. The skin condition occurs when larvae mistakenly burrow into human skin. Upon hatching, free swimming Schistosomatidae larvae seek out an intermediary host, usually snails, to continue the life cycle. Schistosome flatworms are parasites with a complex life cycle usually involving certain species of snails and waterfowl. Swimmer’s itch (cercarial dermatitis) is a skin irritation caused by a larval form of certain flatworms from the family Schistosomatidae. What you should know about Swimmer’s Itch What is it?
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |