Media Release

FOR: Immediate Release
DATE: August 3, 1999
CONTACT: Ernest Julian, RI Department of Health
Office of Food Protection (401) 222-3430, ext. 2429

Health Advisory Concerning Swimmer's Itch at Barrington Town Beach Area

The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) today announced that HEALTH and Barrington officials received complaints from several individuals experiencing symptoms of swimmer's itch after swimming in the Barrington Town Beach area.

Swimmer's itch is a skin rash caused by a parasite. The parasite is released into the water by infected snails. As water droplets evaporate from the skin, the larvae enter a swimmer's skin and dies leaving an itchy elevated red spot that may last from four to fourteen days. The initial symptom may be a mild tingling felt as the parasite enters the skin. A mild itching may occur within one to two hours of exposure and last for around one hour. Ten to 15 hours later, the rash appears along with itching which may be extremely intense. The reaction to swimmer's itch can be extremely annoying but it is not dangerous and will not spread. Person to person transmission does not occur.

Scratching the itch could cause infection. If a rash develops, anti-itch medications, such as lotions and some antihistamines, will help relieve them. Your family physician or pharmacist can recommend the best treatment.

A person's first exposure to infested water may not result in the rash. Repeated exposures increase a person's sensitivity to the parasite and the likelihood of developing a rash.

HEALTH advises to avoid swimming in areas known to have swimmer's itch. If you do enter water in this area, towel down briskly right after leaving the water to help remove the parasite. Take a shower immediately after leaving the water in the suspected area. Avoid areas with large numbers of aquatic plants, they are ideal habitats for snails and swimmer's itch parasites.

Information concerning the status of the beach can be obtained by calling the HEALTH Department Beach Hotline at 222-3430, X 2497.

For speech or hearing impaired, 1-800-745-5555 (TTY)
Department of Health Website: www.health.state.ri.us