KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Hot summer weather brings crowds to King County's many beach parks for recreational swimming and wading. While the water quality is generally good, Public Health - Seattle & King County reminds beach goers to protect themselves against common recreational water illnesses including swimmer's itch and gastrointestinal illness.
Swimmers' itch is caused by a parasite in waterfowl droppings that can get on to swimmers' skin and then may burrow in, causing an irritating rash. "If the water dries on your skin, the parasites will try to stay moist by burrowing in," said Charles Wu, Acting Manager of the Food and Facilities program at Public Health. "It isn't contagious, but it is annoying."
After burrowing into the skin, the parasite dies and the body reacts by forming red itchy bumps. The itching and rash generally go away within about 5 - 6 days. Affected individuals should consult their health care provider if the symptoms become severe or if the rash becomes infected from scratching.
Tips for reducing the likelihood of swimmers' itch include:
- Liberally apply a waterproof sunscreen prior to swimming. There is anecdotal evidence that this may provide some protection.
- Briskly dry off with a towel as soon as you come out of the water, including the area under swim suits.
- Shower immediately if these facilities are available.
- Stay immersed in the water--wading creates the highest risk for swimmers' itch.
The parasite that causes swimmers' itch is deposited into lakes via goose and duck droppings. The organisms then move into snails where they mature, eventually coming out to re-infect more waterfowl. No testing is done for the parasite for swimmers' itch, and Public Health - Seattle & King County is not receiving a greater number of swimmers' itch reports in 2004 than in years past.
Recreational water illnesses
Recreational water illnesses are caused by germs like Cryptosporidium, Giardia, E. coli 0157:H7, and Shigella, and are spread by accidentally swallowing water that has been contaminated with fecal matter.
Public Health recommends:
- Keep lake water out of your mouth.
- Anyone wearing a diaper should wear tight fitting impermeable liners (such as plastic pants) around the diaper to prevent an accidental fecal discharge into the water.
- Do not swim in a lake if you have had a fever or experienced nausea or diarrhea within the last 48 hours.
Two King County beaches were closed earlier this summer due to high fecal coliform levels. Meydenbauer Beach in Bellevue continues to be closed at this point because of elevated bacterial counts. To check the bacteria status of local area beaches, consult the following King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks Web site: http://dnr.metrokc.gov/lakes
Do not feed waterfowl at any time of the year, particularly at parks with swimming beaches. A large duck and goose population increases the likelihood that swimmers will come into contact with the parasite that causes swimmers' itch. Waterfowl also increase the amount of fecal coliform in the water.
For more information visit http://www.metrokc.gov/health
