Duck Itch this year?

KonaChick · 07-10-2006, 12:44 PM

I hate to even start this thread but has anyone noticed the dreaded duck itch so far this year? My daughter looked like she had a few spots yesterday after this weekend in the water. We're across from Bear Island, Kona area.

RamJet · 07-10-2006, 12:51 PM

what is Duck Itch?

LIforrelaxin · 07-10-2006, 01:05 PM

Have been swiming several times this year and no sign of Duck itch. (on the north side of Long Island)

Duck itch is a Rash brought on by the presence of Ducks and imparticularly there waste or poop......some people are more susceptible than others.......

Hermit Cover · 07-10-2006, 05:41 PM

but if you do a Forum Search for "duck itch" you'll find a clinical description and even photos of what this dread parasite....shistosome cercaria....and it's resulting cercarial dermatitis and that it comes from ducks (commonly Mergansers) and snails. Very common on many lakes across the U.S.

Deb2005 · 07-11-2006, 09:41 AM

I got Duck Itch last year really bad and was in the lake the week of July 4th and didn't get any signs of it. Ways to prevent it are use a lot of sunscreen, don't swim near shore and towel dry off or shower as soon as you get out of the water.

Island Life · 07-11-2006, 04:29 PM

We have it at our place, which faces East and is in a bit of a cove (i.e. plenty of still water). The same kids and adults seem to get it year after year, regardless of who's hanging out in the shallow water.

ApS · 07-22-2006, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deb2005

"...Ways to prevent it are use a lot of sunscreen, don't swim near shore and towel dry off or shower as soon as you get out of the water."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bear Islander

I have my water intake quite far out in the lake in about 20' of water.

Hmmm.

My existing water intake is 100 feet from shore.

If, at the dock, I plumb an outdoor showerhead that draws water from that distant intake, the water coming from the showerhead should be free of those nasty, itchy, critters.

I'll let you all know how this works out.

welch100 · 07-27-2006, 10:56 AM

YES - definitely worse this year. I have one child who is totally miserable with it. I've been told that only a wet suit will provide real protection.

Mink Islander · 07-27-2006, 12:23 PM

It's been worse than usual this year. Wear lots of sunscreen which is said to offer some level of protection. The only other prevention is to towel off briskly and immediately after leaving the water. Those little buggers burrow into your skin as the water dries and then die, causing the skin reaction. Towelling off kills them before they dig in. And don't let the kids hang around in wet bathing suits either. Wading/swimming in shallow, still, warm water -- especially if there is water vegetation in the area that supports snails -- is sure to put you at risk. That's why little kids seem to get it more than adults. A good reason why having a raft in deeper/cooler water for the kids to swim to and play on is a worthwhile investment!

wildwoodfam · 07-28-2006, 09:49 AM

I have yet to have any member of our family/friend group/etc find that they have been attacked by the dreaded itch!! Maybe its our location - water is never standing. We do have ducks resident to our beach area, and there are certainly snails that my daughter finds in the shallow waters....but no itch!! Quick -- find me some driftwood to knock on!

07-10-2006, 12:44 PM	#1
KonaChick Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 518 Thanks: 19 Thanked 62 Times in 15 Posts	Duck Itch this year? I hate to even start this thread but has anyone noticed the dreaded duck itch so far this year? My daughter looked like she had a few spots yesterday after this weekend in the water. We're across from Bear Island, Kona area.

07-10-2006, 12:51 PM	#2
RamJet Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NH Seacoast and Smith's Cove Posts: 58 Thanks: 20 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	what is Duck Itch? what is Duck Itch? __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~Henry David Thoreau

07-10-2006, 01:05 PM	#3
LIforrelaxin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas, Lake Ray Hubbard and NH, Long Island Winnipesaukee Posts: 2,876 Thanks: 1,037 Thanked 892 Times in 524 Posts	No signs yet this year Have been swiming several times this year and no sign of Duck itch. (on the north side of Long Island) Duck itch is a Rash brought on by the presence of Ducks and imparticularly there waste or poop......some people are more susceptible than others....... __________________ Life is about how much time you can spend relaxing... I do it on an island that isn't really an island.....

07-10-2006, 05:41 PM	#4
Hermit Cover Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Hermit Cove Posts: 354 Thanks: 20 Thanked 68 Times in 40 Posts	Ducks don't itch.... but if you do a Forum Search for "duck itch" you'll find a clinical description and even photos of what this dread parasite....shistosome cercaria....and it's resulting cercarial dermatitis and that it comes from ducks (commonly Mergansers) and snails. Very common on many lakes across the U.S.

07-11-2006, 09:41 AM	#5
Deb2005 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Did get it this year! I got Duck Itch last year really bad and was in the lake the week of July 4th and didn't get any signs of it. Ways to prevent it are use a lot of sunscreen, don't swim near shore and towel dry off or shower as soon as you get out of the water.

07-11-2006, 04:29 PM	#6
Island Life Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 273 Thanks: 12 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	It's back!!!! We have it at our place, which faces East and is in a bit of a cove (i.e. plenty of still water). The same kids and adults seem to get it year after year, regardless of who's hanging out in the shallow water. __________________ Island Life the way my grandparents' grandparents enjoyed it - but with a faster boat!!!

07-27-2006, 10:56 AM	#8
welch100 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Welch Island, Gilford Posts: 51 Thanks: 50 Thanked 15 Times in 6 Posts	swimmers' itch YES - definitely worse this year. I have one child who is totally miserable with it. I've been told that only a wet suit will provide real protection.

07-27-2006, 12:23 PM	#9
Mink Islander Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 753 Thanks: 59 Thanked 271 Times in 129 Posts	Duck Itch It's been worse than usual this year. Wear lots of sunscreen which is said to offer some level of protection. The only other prevention is to towel off briskly and immediately after leaving the water. Those little buggers burrow into your skin as the water dries and then die, causing the skin reaction. Towelling off kills them before they dig in. And don't let the kids hang around in wet bathing suits either. Wading/swimming in shallow, still, warm water -- especially if there is water vegetation in the area that supports snails -- is sure to put you at risk. That's why little kids seem to get it more than adults. A good reason why having a raft in deeper/cooler water for the kids to swim to and play on is a worthwhile investment!

07-28-2006, 09:49 AM	#10
wildwoodfam Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: North Andover, MA & summers up at the BIG lake Posts: 285 Thanks: 5 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Thankfully - 30+ years aand NO ITCH!! I have yet to have any member of our family/friend group/etc find that they have been attacked by the dreaded itch!! Maybe its our location - water is never standing. We do have ducks resident to our beach area, and there are certainly snails that my daughter finds in the shallow waters....but no itch!! Quick -- find me some driftwood to knock on! Last edited by wildwoodfam; 07-29-2006 at 11:12 PM.