![]() ![]() Have a shower with clean water as soon as you leave the lake or river.If water is left to dry on the skin, there is a greater likelihood of developing Swimmer’s Itch. Rub your skin with a rough towel as soon as you get out of the water.Make sure these structures are approved for swimming and do not dive into unknown waters Use a pier or dock to enter the water to help reduce your exposure to parasites near the shore.If you are unsure about the water, avoid areas with lots of weed growth (there may be more snails and larvae around aquatic plants) Swim away from the shoreline where the parasite that causes Swimmer’s Itch is most likely to be found.Before swimming, create a water-proof barrier by applying baby oil, creams containing DEET, Swimmer’s Itch Guard, or similar products on exposed skin to prevent parasite larvae from burrowing into your skin.Check for warning signs at public beaches, lakes and picnic areas for notices stating swimmer’s itch may be present.The presence of parasites that cause the condition is based on a number of biological and environmental factors. It’s hard to predict when and where Swimmer’s Itch will occur.These invisible parasites burrow under the skin and quickly die, causing an allergic reaction (Swimmer’s Itch) Parasite will penetrate the skin of people who swim in water infested with Schistosomes (typically in shallow water close to shore).Usually caused by a parasite called Shistosomes, which commonly affects birds, semi-aquatic mammals, and snails.Swimmer’s Itch affects people of all ages, but children are most often affected since they play or swim in shallow water where the parasite that causes Swimmer’s Itch is most likely to be found.Applying skin lotions to the affected areas of the body can provide some relief People are encouraged to avoid scratching if at all possible.While the rash is uncomfortable, itching symptoms may continue for several days, before disappearing within several days There is no treatment required for Swimmer’s Itch.A skin rash that causes itching and redness.Watch this YouTube video to learn more about the Health Unit’s Beach Water Testing program.The Health Unit does regular testing of area beaches to ensure the water is safe for swimming. The rash can last up to two weeks and can be treated with calamine lotion, antihistamines and mild steroid creams.īeachgoers can check for jellyfish and sea lice sightings online on Safeswim, which also provides live information on water quality and swimming conditions.Going for a swim in a local lake or waterway? Reduce your risk of Swimmer’s Itch that can surface without warning. They're cold-blooded, so when the water is warmer, they are more active, so there's lots of reports of people being bitten by different things." You can get bitten by those, and they produce a nasty bite as well. "Jellyfish, in particular, are real opportunists and there are things called sea lice, which are like little arthropods or insects of the sea. He said there were a few different sea creatures to look out for when swimming. "New Zealand is having a pretty unusual summer with much warmer temperatures than normal, probably due to climate change effects, so we've seen some quite remarkable changes and different organisms that are turning up on the coastline." University of Auckland marine scientist Andrew Jeffs said the hotter temperatures may be causing increased marine activity. They eventually found an antihistamine cream but nearly a week later, her six-year-old daughter still has the red bumps. "The kids are just aggravated, they were so itchy, my daughter, the poor thing, it was all over her bum, the worst, and my son, he even had some bites that were blistered." The pharmacist told her it was either caused by jellyfish or sea lice. ![]() She rushed to the pharmacy to try and get anything that would soothe the itchy bumps that had formed on her children's skin, but they were sold out. ![]() "That night when we got home the kids were just absolutely riddled with bites." Last week when Papamoa based mum of three Ashley Cosford packed up the car and took the kids to the Motiti reserve beach, she was met some painful company. Stings and bites can be caused by a few sea creatures, but the biggest culprits are sea lice and jellyfish. Ocean swimmers across the North Island have been sharing their itchy experiences on social media.
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