Essentia Health reminds swimmers to be aware of swimmer’s itch

With the “unofficial” start of summer coming to Minnesota this Memorial Day weekend, Essentia Health reminds swimmers to be aware of swimmer’s itch. Thousands of people will head to the lakes for the holiday weekend. The arrival of summer also signifies the potential risks with swimmer’s itch. Joseph Halvorson with Essentia Health advises that if you swim in water that has been recently inhabited by water fowl, the potential for that parasite to be present means that it can get into the skin and cause irritation. Some of the signs of swimmer’s itch include tingling, burning or itching of the skin along with small, reddish pimples and small blisters. There are ways to prevent swimmer’s itch, including towel drying or showering immediately after leaving the water. Symptoms of swimmer’s itch can last for a few days.