swimmer's itch

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Related to Cercarial dermatitis: Seabather's eruption, Duck Itch, Swimmers itch

schis·to·so·mal der·ma·ti·tis

a sensitization response to repeated cutaneous invasion by cercariae of bird, mammal, or human schistosomes.

Synonym(s): swimmer's itch, water itch (2)

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

swimmer's itch

(swĭm′ərz)

An itching inflammation of the skin caused by parasitic larval forms of certain schistosomes that penetrate into the skin, occurring after bathing in infested fresh or salt water.

cu·ta·ne·ous an·cy·lo·sto·mi·a·sis

(kyū-tā'nē-ŭs an'si-lō-stō-mī'ă-sis)

Cutaneous larva migrans caused by larvae of hookworms.
Synonym(s): swimmer's itch (1) , water itch (1) .

schis·to·so·mal der·ma·ti·tis

(skis'tō-sōm'ăl dĕr'mă-tī'tis)

A sensitization response to repeated cutaneous invasion by cercariae of bird, mammal, or human schistosomes.
Synonym(s): swimmer's itch (2) , water itch (2) .

sea·bather's e·rup·tion

(sē'bādh-ĕrz ĕr-ŭp'shŭn)

Pruritic rash believed to result from hypersensitivity to the venom of the larval thimble jellyfish (Linuche unguiculata).

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

swimmer's itch

Skin inflammation (dermatitis) caused by the penetration of CERCARIAE of certain schistosome worms while the subject is immersed in waters. See also SCHISTOSOMIASIS.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

Swimmer's itch

An allergic skin inflammation caused by a sensitivity to flatworms that die under the skin, causing an itchy rash.

Mentioned in: Itching

References in periodicals archive ?

Schistosome cercarial dermatitis can be treated symptomatically with corticosteroid cream or calamine lotion, applying cool compresses to the affected areas, and bathing in epson salts, baking soda, or oatmeal.

Cercarial dermatitis (swimmer's itch) is caused by several genera of avian schistosomes including Trichobilharzia, Gigantobilharzia, Austrobilharzia, Ornithobilharzia, Microbilharzia, and Heterobilharzia.

avian schistosomes that may cause cercarial dermatitis 41.

Chapter 6 Parasitic zoonoses

In June 2005, cercarial dermatitis appeared again in San Francisco Bay.

Cercarial dermatitis is commonly acquired in fresh water (38).

Much remains to be learned about factors favoring outbreaks of cercarial dermatitis in new areas.

Cercarial dermatitis transmitted by exotic marine snail

Editorial Note: Cercarial dermatitis (i.e., swimmer's itch) is a cutaneous inflammatory response associated with penetration of the skin by cercariae, the free-swimming larval stage of bird schistosomes.

This sensitization phenomenon explains the wide range of incubation periods reported in cercarial dermatitis outbreaks (1 ).