California Drought Could Lead To Increase In Swimmer's Itch Cases
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — After a day on the American River last summer, Angela Damron doesn't want to go back.
"I felt something itch on my back so I scratched it, and I kind of thought nothing of it, and then it kind of kept itching and then I felt like it not just a bite, but bumps," she said.
A doctor confirmed Angela had something called swimmer's itch.
"It was all over my upper back, all over my lower stomach, and I texted the other people I was with and the two girls said 'Oh my god it's on my face!'" she said.
Dr. Dean Blumberg with UC Davis Medical Center says swimmer's itch is harmless and usually goes away on its own, but could last up to a week.
"This parasite may be in the water, and it burrows under the skin, then anywhere from a few hours to even a few days later they start getting this very itchy rash," he said.
There's no indication there's an increase in swimmer's itch in the area, but the drought is raising concerns that could happen.
The rash-causing parasite is normally found in birds that then pass it to snails and then pass it to humans in the water.
While the condition isn't tracked by health officials, Blumberg says the drought could be helping make it worse.
"Slower moving rivers, slower moving streams, areas of stagnant water, and then you got warmer water, this could facilitate transmission," he said.
He recommends staying out of warm, non-moving water where the parasite thrives; toweling or showering off when you get out, and avoiding areas where birds congregate.
Damron says while it was annoying, it could have been worse. Still, she's second-guessing hitting the water again .
"I want to go really bad, but I just don't want to get the rash again," she said.