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1: Am J Public Health. 2004 May;94(5):738-41.Click here to read Click here to read Links

Swimmer's itch: incidence and risk factors.

Verbrugge LM, Rainey JJ, Reimink RL, Blankespoor HD.

Institute of Gerontology, University of Michigan, 300 N Ingalls, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2007, USA. verbrugg@umich.edu

Swimmer's itch (cercarial dermatitis) affects people engaged in open-water activities. We report incidence and risk factors for a US lake. Water exposures and swimmer's itch experience were reported daily for riparian household residents and guests at Douglas Lake, Michigan, in July 2000. Incidence of swimmer's itch was 6.8 episodes per 100 water exposure days. Positive risks were (1) exposures in shallow water and in areas with onshore winds and (2) more days of lake use in July. Further epidemiological studies will help public health agencies address this bothersome problem at recreational lakes.

PMID: 15117691 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PMCID: PMC1448328