by Kevin Zimmermann
ELKHART LAKE, WI (WHBL) – If you’ve been itching to swim in Elkhart Lake, you might be itching afterwards. The Elkhart Lake Police Department reported on their Facebook page that they’ve had reports of “swimmers itch,” and if you swim, towel-dry or shower off as soon as possible afterwards.
Swimmers itch is a skin reaction much like happens when a mosquito bites. In this case, the larval stage of a flatworm that can only infect birds tries getting under your skin, where the tail-like appendage dies immediately. That causes the inflammation.
Swimmers itch isn’t dangerous, but it can be maddening. Fortunately, the same things that sooth bug bites should help relieve the symptoms.
