Swimmer's itch: incidence and risk factors.
Swimmer's itch (cercarial dermatitis) affects people engaged in open-water activities. We report incidence and risk factors for a US lake. Water exposures and swimmer's itch experience were reported daily for riparian household residents and guests at Douglas Lake, Michigan, in July 2000. Incidence of swimmer's itch was 6.8 episodes per 100 water exposure days. Positive risks were (1) exposures in shallow water and in areas with onshore winds and (2) more days of lake use in July. Further epidemiological studies will help public health agencies address this bothersome problem at recreational lakes.
Verbrugge
Lois M
LM
Institute of Gerontology, University of Michigan, 300 N Ingalls, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2007, USA. verbrugg@umich.edu
Rainey
Jeanette J
JJ
Reimink
Ronald L
RL
Blankespoor
Harvey D
HD
D000818:Animals; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007814:Larva; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012551:Schistosomatidae; D012876:Skin Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors