Swimmer’s itch surfaces at Lake St. Clair 

The Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Department issued an advisory to community members that a parasite that causes swimmer’s itch was found at Lake St. Clair.  

Multiple people who have swam in the lake reported having swimmer’s itch. This is the second Thurston County lake to be affected in the past two weeks, as the same advisory was issued for Long Lake on May 30.  

Swimmer’s itch, also known as cercarial dermatitis, appears as a skin rash, and is caused by an allergic reaction to a parasite carried by some birds and mammals. The parasite is released by snails into salt and freshwater, the health and social services department said. 

While the itch generally goes away on its own without lasting health impacts, it can cause tingling, burning and itching of the skin.  

To reduce chances of contracting the swimmer’s itch, people should not swim in waters where the parasite is present, towel dry or shower after leaving the water, apply waterproof sunscreen, and avoid feeding and attracting birds to swimming areas.  

TCPHSS does not close down lakes due to cases of swimmer’s itch and advises swimmers to take preventative measures to protect themselves.