Bumps From Being In Lake

KonaChick · 06-27-2005, 09:36 PM

It seems as though my kiddies have it too. I thought it was mosquito bites at first but each red "blotch" is about the size of a dime with several little pimple looking things inside each blotch. They are itching real bad. Good advice is to make sure you spray off with the hose after getting out of the lake and also drying off immediately when you get out. I'm across from Bear Island , Kona Shore area. I wonder if for some reason it's bad there. We usually don't get it much because of the wind wich usually sweeps that nasty stuff out! Oh well glad I at least have some benadryl. Good Luck.

ApS · 06-28-2005, 06:25 AM

It's also known as "swimmer's itch".
Ducks, geese, mergansers, and sea gulls can transport the little critters.

While all waterfowl can be affected, the condition requires snails which are also affected -- which will pass it back to the waterfowl. Lakes without the "correct" snails will not have a duck itch problem.

Snails require growing algae to feed on, and algae require nutrients (fertilizer). Bathing in, washing the boat, or maintaining a lakefront lawn increases the nutrients in Winnipesaukee. Algae is a growing problem. I cannot recall a single case of duck itch when I went to a Lake Winnipesaukee summer camp. ("Camp Jurassic"

)

As already stated, toweling off immediately after getting out is the best prevention. The water, as it evaporates, concentrates the little skin-burrowing critters responsible for the itch.
http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/955152713.html

A day or two of a favorable wind direction will also concentrate the itch problem into shallow waters.

.

Lakewinniboater · 06-28-2005, 07:30 AM

I also have my kids rinse off with the shower on the back of the boat and bath as soon as we get home. We haven't seen any of that horrible itch yet.

However, I have heard it is a nasty bugger.

Rattlesnake Gal · 06-28-2005, 12:03 PM

Duck Itch or Swimmers Itch

Preventive measures can be taken to either reduce exposure or attempt to prevent the penetration. Swimming rather than playing or wading in shallow water will reduce exposure. If swimmer’s itch is known to be present, avoid swimming when winds are likely to be carrying cercariae into the beach. Swim offshore if possible. Brisk and vigorous toweling immediately after leaving the water can crush the cercariae before they can penetrate the skin. Some recreationists have noted that some sunscreens and lotions reduce the infections, and a professional aquatic biologist reports applying a waterproof sunscreen before swimming has personally been successful to prevent swimmer's itch. Once the irritation has developed, various soothing lotions or ointments may be applied to relieve the itching. For severe cases, prescription antihistamines and topical steroid creams may be prescribed by a physician.

Frdxplorer · 06-28-2005, 12:59 PM

Swimmer's itch is no fun at all. I know from experience. Luckily, the last several years I have avoided it in our area of Winter Harbor. It is one of the reasons many towns have made it illegal to feed ducks off public property.

Last year, we were at the cabin after a family with young children had rented. They had made friends with the ducks who would not leave us alone. My cousin took things into his own hands. (literally)

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...cat=500&page=1

(No duck was harmed, just shaken up, in the taking of this photo)

06-28-2005, 06:25 AM	#2
ApS Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florida (Sebring & Keys), Wolfeboro Posts: 5,942 Thanks: 2,215 Thanked 778 Times in 554 Posts	Bumps? Stay 150-feet — No, wait...never mind. It's also known as "swimmer's itch". Ducks, geese, mergansers, and sea gulls can transport the little critters. While all waterfowl can be affected, the condition requires snails which are also affected -- which will pass it back to the waterfowl. Lakes without the "correct" snails will not have a duck itch problem. Snails require growing algae to feed on, and algae require nutrients (fertilizer). Bathing in, washing the boat, or maintaining a lakefront lawn increases the nutrients in Winnipesaukee. Algae is a growing problem. I cannot recall a single case of duck itch when I went to a Lake Winnipesaukee summer camp. ("Camp Jurassic" ) As already stated, toweling off immediately after getting out is the best prevention. The water, as it evaporates, concentrates the little skin-burrowing critters responsible for the itch. http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/955152713.html A day or two of a favorable wind direction will also concentrate the itch problem into shallow waters. . __________________ Is it "Common Sense" isn't.

06-28-2005, 07:30 AM	#3
Lakewinniboater Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Westford, MA and Alton Bay, NH Posts: 225 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Yuck. I also have my kids rinse off with the shower on the back of the boat and bath as soon as we get home. We haven't seen any of that horrible itch yet. However, I have heard it is a nasty bugger. __________________ Wendy "Wasn't Me!"

06-28-2005, 12:03 PM	#4
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,252 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,451 Thanked 1,349 Times in 475 Posts	Swimmers Itch or Duck Itch - Yuck! Duck Itch or Swimmers Itch Preventive measures can be taken to either reduce exposure or attempt to prevent the penetration. Swimming rather than playing or wading in shallow water will reduce exposure. If swimmer’s itch is known to be present, avoid swimming when winds are likely to be carrying cercariae into the beach. Swim offshore if possible. Brisk and vigorous toweling immediately after leaving the water can crush the cercariae before they can penetrate the skin. Some recreationists have noted that some sunscreens and lotions reduce the infections, and a professional aquatic biologist reports applying a waterproof sunscreen before swimming has personally been successful to prevent swimmer's itch. Once the irritation has developed, various soothing lotions or ointments may be applied to relieve the itching. For severe cases, prescription antihistamines and topical steroid creams may be prescribed by a physician.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

06-27-2005, 09:36 PM	#1
KonaChick Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 518 Thanks: 19 Thanked 62 Times in 15 Posts	It seems as though my kiddies have it too. I thought it was mosquito bites at first but each red "blotch" is about the size of a dime with several little pimple looking things inside each blotch. They are itching real bad. Good advice is to make sure you spray off with the hose after getting out of the lake and also drying off immediately when you get out. I'm across from Bear Island , Kona Shore area. I wonder if for some reason it's bad there. We usually don't get it much because of the wind wich usually sweeps that nasty stuff out! Oh well glad I at least have some benadryl. Good Luck.

06-28-2005, 12:59 PM	#5
Frdxplorer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: York, PA Posts: 234 Thanks: 2 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Swimmer's itch is no fun at all. I know from experience. Luckily, the last several years I have avoided it in our area of Winter Harbor. It is one of the reasons many towns have made it illegal to feed ducks off public property. Last year, we were at the cabin after a family with young children had rented. They had made friends with the ducks who would not leave us alone. My cousin took things into his own hands. (literally) http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...cat=500&page=1 (No duck was harmed, just shaken up, in the taking of this photo)