Swimmer's itch treatment

MinuteClinic providers are trained to assess swimmer's itch, help you with treating the symptoms and give advice for prevention. Your MinuteClinic provider will review your medical history, conduct an examination and set up a personalized treatment plan.

1. You may have to answer a few questions about symptoms to help us prepare for your visit prior to scheduling your appointment.

2. Check-in varies depending on how you scheduled your appointment:

   If you made your appointment online:
   Check in using the email or text message we sent to confirm your appointment. If you prefer to check in using the electronic kiosk, make sure you have your confirmation code.

   If you made your appointment in the clinic:
   Sign in at the electronic kiosk.

   If you made a MinuteClinic Virtual Care® appointment:
   To join your virtual visit, use the link in the email or text message we sent you to confirm your appointment. Please join 15 minutes before your scheduled visit time. You will need your date of birth and ZIP code to join the visit.

3. When it's time for your appointment, a provider will call your name.
4. Your provider will conduct a thorough examination based on your reason for visit, presenting symptoms and health history. Charges will be based on examination and services provided during the visit.
5. At the end of your visit, you are provided with a visit summary, receipt and educational material about your diagnosis. At your request, we can send your primary care provider information about your visit.

The parasites responsible for swimmer's itch live in the blood of waterfowl and mammals that are near lakes and ponds including ducks, geese, gulls, beavers and muskrats. The parasite's eggs enter the water when the host animals defecate. Before infecting birds, animals or people, the hatched parasites live for a time inside certain species of snail to evolve into the next stage of their lifecycle, cercariae, then release into the water.

The host snails live near the shoreline, which is why infections most often occur there. Although humans are not suitable hosts, the larvae may burrow into a swimmer's skin and cause an allergic reaction. They cannot develop inside a human, so they soon die.

Typically, the condition clears up on its own. In the meantime, you can relieve the itching with over-the-counter products. If the itching is severe, prescription medication may be necessary.

• Apply waterproof sunscreen before going in the water: It’s been reported to protect the skin from the parasite that causes swimmer's itch
• Avoid shallows near the shoreline: Swim in deeper water if you're a strong swimmer. Avoid marsh areas where the snails live.
• Choose swimming spots with care: Avoid places where swimmer's itch is a known problem, and check warning signs for possible contamination.
• Do not feed birds: The birds that are near swimming areas or on docks.
• Rinse after the swim: Wash exposed skin with clean water right away. Dry the skin thoroughly and vigorously with a towel. Launder swimsuits after each time. Reapply sunscreen if staying in the sun.