Cercarial dermatitis (“swimmer’s itch”, “clam-digger’s itch”, “duck itch”) is caused by the cercariae of certain species of schistosomes whose normal hosts are birds and mammals other than humans.
What type of pathogen is cercarial dermatitis?
Cercarial dermatitis (swimmer’s itch) is a common non-communicable water-borne disease. It is caused by penetration of the skin by larvae (cercariae) of schistosomatid flukes and develops as a maculopapular skin eruption after repeated contacts with the parasites.
What causes cercarial dermatitis?
Swimmer’s itch, also called cercarial dermatitis, appears as a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to certain microscopic parasites that infect some birds and mammals. These parasites are released from infected snails into fresh and salt water (such as lakes, ponds, and oceans).
How does Schistosoma cercarial dermatitis develop?
Cercarial dermatitis is caused by penetration of the skin by avian or rodent schistosomal larval forms called cercariae. Snails infected with schistosome (blood fluke) species shed the infective cercariae into the water. The cercariae penetrate the wet skin of warm-blooded animals.
What parasite causes dermatitis?
A certain parasite larvae, called cercariae, that can be found in fresh (pond or lake water) or salt water (ocean water) causes swimmer’s itch (cercarial dermatitis). The parasite larvae burrow (dig) into your skin and cause an allergic reaction.
How is cercarial dermatitis transmitted?
Cercarial dermatitis, also known as swimmer’s itch, is an itchy rash caused by a tiny parasitic worm. It’s contracted by swimming or wading in infested fresh water lakes or ponds. The parasite’s usual hosts are waterfowl and rodents. After the parasite is excreted from the waterfowl or rodent, it then enters a snail.
How do you prevent cercarial dermatitis?
Prevention
- Choose swimming spots carefully. Avoid swimming in areas where swimmer’s itch is a known problem or signs warn of possible contamination. …
- Avoid the shoreline, if possible. If you’re a strong swimmer, head to deeper water for your swim. …
- Rinse after swimming. …
- Skip the bread crumbs. …
- Apply waterproof sunscreen.
Which parasite causes swimmer’s itch?
What is swimmer’s itch? Swimmer’s itch is a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to small worm-like parasites called schistosomes (shiss-toe-soams). Schistosomes spend their life cycle as parasites in the bodies of water snails and in the blood stream of aquatic mammals, ducks or other waterfowl.
Which disease causes swimmer’s itch?
Swimmer’s itch, cercarial dermatitis or schistosome dermatitis is a short-term allergic immune reaction occurring in the skin of humans that have been infected by water-borne schistosomes, a type of flatworms. It is common in freshwater, brackish and marine habitats worldwide.
How is cercarial dermatitis treated?
Treatment of cercarial dermatitis has not been evaluated in clinical trials. Systemic antihistamines or topical antihistamines or corticosteroids can be used to reduce symptoms. Topical antiseptics or antibiotics as well as systemic antibiotics may be needed in the case of secondary infection.
What is the name of the parasite that causes schistosomiasis?
The infectious form of the parasite, known as cercariae, emerge from the snail into the water. You can become infected when your skin comes in contact with contaminated freshwater. Most human infections are caused by Schistosoma mansoni, S. haematobium, or S.
What is schistosome Cercarial dermatitis?
Cercarial dermatitis (swimmer’s itch) is a cutaneous inflammatory response usually associated with penetration of the skin by cercariae of bird schistosomes. Symptoms include reddening and itching of exposed skin in the water or immediately after emerging. This is an indication of initial penetration of the cercariae.
Which parasites are zoonotic?
Direct zoonotic parasites infect humans directly from animals, such as, Entamoeba hitolytica, Cryptosporidium parvum, Toxoplasma gondii, Hymenolepis nana, Trichinella spiralis, and Sarcoptes scabiei.
Is Cercarial dermatitis?
Swimmer’s itch, also called cercarial dermatitis, appears as a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to certain parasites that infect some birds and mammals. These microscopic parasites are released from infected snails into fresh and salt water (such as lakes, ponds, and oceans).
Can parasitic worms cause eczema?
Conclusions: A worm infestation is associated with a reduced frequency of subsequent eczema, especially the atopic type. Furthermore allergic sensitization, especially to house dust mite, and worm infestation are negatively associated.
What does a parasite rash look like?
Scabies infection appears as a red, bumpy, itchy rash on the skin. It is caused by infection by the human itch mite, Sarcoptes scabiei. The mites burrow deep into the skin leaving tell-tale red lines (burrows) that are visible with a magnifying glass.