Cercarial dermatitis (swimmer's itch) is caused by the penetration of human skin by cercariae of schistosome parasites that develop in and are released from snail hosts. Cercarial dermatitis is frequently acquired in freshwater habitats, and less commonly in marine or estuarine waters. To investigate reports of a dermatitis outbreak in San Francisco Bay, California, we surveyed local snails for...

A 33-year-old man presented with very itchy red papules on the back of his hands and forearms. These papules appeared about 90 min after he had cleaned his aquarium in which he kept native fish and watersnails. He had obtained the watersnails some weeks before from a nearby pond. Examination of water from the aquarium revealed cercariae. The clinical diagnosis of cercarial dermatitis was corrob...

Sir – Human schistosomiasis has not been well documented in India, with a few exceptions (1, 2). Similarly, the public health importance of cercarial dermatitis is under-recognized. Our findings indicate that the condition is widespread and more serious than previously considered. During our work on schistosomiasis in and around Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, over the past 30 years, snails have been...

BACKGROUND 'Cercarial dermatitis' also known as swimmers itch (Skin allergies) is caused by a trematode parasite, Schistosoma which has two hosts - an invertebrate (snail) and a vertebrate (livestock, human being). Although the availability of both vector snails and pathogens at the selected site the Doon Valley in northern India has already been confirmed but there was a hazy picture of the di...

Outbreaks of cercarial dermatitis which occurred in recreational lakes in the Netherlands were studied and a method for direct rapid detection of the parasite Trichobilharzia in water samples was developed. A standardized questionnaire with questions on health complaints and exposure was distributed to individuals who developed symptoms of cercarial dermatitis after visiting fresh water lakes. ...

INTRODUCTION ROATH LAKE is a large artificial lake situated in one of the municipal parks of Cardiff, and well known as a pleasure-spot, for angling, boating, and for its waterfowl." Roath Park, in which. the lake is situated, is also noted for its recreational facilities and splendid botanical gardens, which include one of the finest rose gardens in Great Britain. An attraction of the lake up ...

What are the symptoms of swimmer’s itch? Symptoms of swimmer’s itch can be felt soon after swimming. You will first feel a tingling, itching or burning sensation. Within twelve hours of swimming, red bumps appear on the skin which may turn into blisters or a larger rash. The greater number of exposures to contaminated water, the more intense and immediate symptoms of swimmer’s itch will be. The...

Cercarial dermatitis (swimmer's itch) is a worldwide, often neglected parasitic skin disease characterized by strong maculopapular skin eruption accompanied by intensive itching. A fisherman suffered from forearm dermatitis. Clinical history associated with the recovery of the avian schistosome; Gigantobilharzia from little green bee-eater (Merops orientalis najdanus) and collected Lymnaea snai...