Swimmer's Itch = Duck Mites?

navymom01 · 07-06-2009, 09:17 AM

My son just returned from vacation and they had one day of sun. They took their 3 year old to Leavitt Beach in Meredith for a couple of hours and he is covered with Duck itch. I appreciate all the advice I have seen on line and will pass it on. Are there any beaches where this is NOT a problem. I would rather drive a little more than see little ones suffering with this. There was so much of it all last year, both at Center Habor and Meredith, that it is really a shame.......We all love the lake....but if you have a child that is super sensitive to this, it is an issue...

Rattlesnake Guy · 07-06-2009, 03:50 PM

Went to Wolfborough today. Could not believe the amount of duck crap on the docks. Don't feed the ducks and have the guts to tell others who are about the parasites they bring to the water.

MissPlaced · 07-06-2009, 03:54 PM

My brother's dog got duck itch last summer--ended up getting some type of shot from the vet because her skin was so red/itchy--making her crazy--

Rattlesnake Gal · 07-07-2009, 03:01 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.

travaler18 · 07-07-2009, 06:31 PM

just wondering about swimming off the boat at the sand bar on paugus bay.there are ducks there due to the idiots that feed them ,but we are usually a couple hundred feet from shore on the sand bar when we swim . are the mites out that far out from shore.

Rattlesnake Gal · 07-09-2009, 01:09 PM

Swim offshore if possible.

Swimming rather than playing or wading in shallow water will reduce exposure.

Brisk and vigorous toweling immediately after leaving the water can crush the cercariae before they can penetrate the skin.

Professional aquatic biologist reports applying a waterproof sunscreen before swimming has personally been successful to prevent swimmer's itch.

ApS · 07-26-2009, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travaler18

"...just wondering about swimming off the boat at the sand bar on paugus bay...we are usually a couple hundred feet from shore on the sand bar...are the mites out that far out from shore..."

In Winnipesaukee's shallower waters, I'd guess that a few could be out there—depending on the winds.

The "mites" (cercaria )are just large enough to see!

From my aquarium experience with other tiny critters of about the same size, the cercaria could be visible using a strong light.

Try using a silk cloth as a seine, then release the filtered contents into a clear glass. In the right light—watching the sun refracting through their bodies—you may be able to see them swimming around as tiny "Crystalline Entities".

After local winds have driven them near shore, perhaps ask a town lifeguard about this test at a beach?

LHemy · 07-15-2010, 08:11 PM

Does anyone think that duck mites are either present or not present in lower vs. higher water.
I've been involved in the discussions about water levels on Winona and Waukewan and one person brought this up.
I've never had a duck mite "bite" or reaction in my life and can't imagine that the lake level has a thing to do with weather or not one can be affected.

ApS · 08-13-2010, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LHemy

"...Does anyone think that duck mites are either present or not present in lower vs. higher water...I've never had a duck mite "bite" or reaction in my life and can't imagine that the lake level has a thing to do with whether or not one can be affected..."

IMHO:

You got me thinking this week: I haven't had a bite this season, either—not one. It may be how I "exit" the water.

Every day—sometimes twice a day—I "hike" myself out of the lake at a dock that stands in about 30-inches of Lake Winnipesaukee. In securing the boat for the night, I'm usually already dry by the time I "need-to-dry-off-vigorously-with-a-towel".

Duck-itch critters get congregated in the shallows by winds. In shallows, it may be impossible for swimmers to avoid lakewater that has those critters concentrated right-there. Each swimmer needs to find a way to exit the water that keeps them out of those "shallow-concentrations".

From the deepest water around where you're swimming, I'd "exit' using a boat ladder, breakwater, or a dock—with permission.

With the water collecting at one's lower legs (and ankles), that would explain the majority-presence of bites in that area—as each little critter's "world" evaporates.

That said, I don't understand why Bear Islander thinks the answer is his thread on power-washing!

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...ad.php?t=10553

If pressure-washed too closely, it's a procedure that is potentially cruel to the animal, makes a fowl mess anyway, and won't solve the Duck-Itch issue for man or beast.

mg2107 · 08-13-2010, 09:45 PM

I remember when I was a kid not so long ago. The only ducks you saw in the lake were wild ones also few and far between. You know why?
Nobody fed them and they were migratory. Now they are bums that hang around all winter in the open water created by dock bubblers and wait for hand outs. They also breed profusely in the summer raising 2 or 3 broods with little predation. So folks don't complain its our fault.

07-07-2009, 03:01 PM	#4
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,253 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,455 Thanked 1,357 Times in 476 Posts	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.

07-07-2009, 06:31 PM	#5
travaler18 Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 31 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	sand bars just wondering about swimming off the boat at the sand bar on paugus bay.there are ducks there due to the idiots that feed them ,but we are usually a couple hundred feet from shore on the sand bar when we swim . are the mites out that far out from shore.

07-09-2009, 01:09 PM	#6
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,253 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,455 Thanked 1,357 Times in 476 Posts	Wear Waterproof Sunscreen & Towel Vigorously! Swim offshore if possible. Swimming rather than playing or wading in shallow water will reduce exposure. Brisk and vigorous toweling immediately after leaving the water can crush the cercariae before they can penetrate the skin. Professional aquatic biologist reports applying a waterproof sunscreen before swimming has personally been successful to prevent swimmer's itch.

07-15-2010, 08:11 PM	#8
LHemy Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Duck mites/shallow water? Does anyone think that duck mites are either present or not present in lower vs. higher water. I've been involved in the discussions about water levels on Winona and Waukewan and one person brought this up. I've never had a duck mite "bite" or reaction in my life and can't imagine that the lake level has a thing to do with weather or not one can be affected.

07-06-2009, 09:17 AM	#1
navymom01 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Have a home in Meredith Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My son just returned from vacation and they had one day of sun. They took their 3 year old to Leavitt Beach in Meredith for a couple of hours and he is covered with Duck itch. I appreciate all the advice I have seen on line and will pass it on. Are there any beaches where this is NOT a problem. I would rather drive a little more than see little ones suffering with this. There was so much of it all last year, both at Center Habor and Meredith, that it is really a shame.......We all love the lake....but if you have a child that is super sensitive to this, it is an issue...

07-06-2009, 03:50 PM	#2
Rattlesnake Guy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,254 Thanks: 423 Thanked 366 Times in 175 Posts	Went to Wolfborough today. Could not believe the amount of duck crap on the docks. Don't feed the ducks and have the guts to tell others who are about the parasites they bring to the water.

07-06-2009, 03:54 PM	#3
MissPlaced Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My brother's dog got duck itch last summer--ended up getting some type of shot from the vet because her skin was so red/itchy--making her crazy--

08-13-2010, 09:45 PM	#10
mg2107 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 169 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	I remember when I was a kid not so long ago. The only ducks you saw in the lake were wild ones also few and far between. You know why? Nobody fed them and they were migratory. Now they are bums that hang around all winter in the open water created by dock bubblers and wait for hand outs. They also breed profusely in the summer raising 2 or 3 broods with little predation. So folks don't complain its our fault.