Swimmer’s Itch Coming From Michigan Lakes
It's a bad year for mosquitoes in Michigan, but mosquitoes aren't the only thing that have Michigan residents itching this summer.
Swimmer's itch is being reported at lakes across Michigan, including Higgins Lake.
The appearance of swimmer's itch at Michigan lakes is not unusual, but at least one lake is getting some extra attention because of swimmer's itch this summer.
Higgins Lake is among those receiving reports of swimmer's itch this year.
The Detroit News reports:
...complaints about Higgins Lake, in particular, are receiving more attention from township leaders, the state Department of Natural Resources and Michigan State University, as they work to find a solution.
Pat Springstead, president of the Higgins Lake Property Owners Association, attributes the increasing attention to more visitors.
“It’s not a new phenomenon, but it appears to be more prevalent in the last couple of years, probably because more people are visiting here and they’re telling more people about it.” he said.
He added there are signs around the lake warning visitors about swimmer’s itch.
What exactly is swimmer's itch?
The CDC explains that swimmer's itch is a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to microscopic parasites. The parasites come from infected snails. When the parasite comes into contact with a swimmer it burrows into the skin and causes an allergic reaction and rash.
Yuck.
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