


Bullfrog gel sunblock works pretty well and is readily available in most stores. We’ve discovered two brands of sunblock that do the job. And kids are squirmy enough putting on one protective layer, much less two. But you’re going to want sunblock to go under that.
#Bullfrog gel skin
Protect Your Skin – Creating a waterproof barrier seems to help prevent the parasites from burrowing into the skin. Try to towel off aggressively after each swim.ģ. Towel Off – Kids are most susceptible to swimmers itch as they tend to spend long amounts of time in shallow water and air dry. Deeper water and moving water, such as rivers, are also less likely to carry the larvae in search of hosts.Ģ. Avoiding these swimming areas will decrease your chances of coming in contact with the parasite in the first place. Avoid Busy Beaches – Swimmer’s Itch is most common in highly populated beaches where ducks, especially the merganser duck, and snails are commonly found. So what can you do to keep from ruining your vacation in northern Michigan with a case of the itch? 6 Tips to Prevent and Treat Swimmer’s Itchġ. These parasites are not harmful to humans beyond the discomfort of the bumps. The raised itchy bump is an immune reaction to each site where a parasite has entered the epidermis. When they come in contact with human skin they burrow in and immediately die as we are not hospitable. The larvae of the cercaria parasite travel between their water snail host and their intended waterfowl host. Swimmer’s Itch is caused by a flatworm parasite. If you’re squeamish you may want to gloss over this section as it’s not too pleasant to visualize the source of these scratchy bumps.
#Bullfrog gel how to
Before you give up on swimming in our salt-free waters I thought I’d share some handy tips on how to prevent and treat Swimmer’s Itch. But for those who are new the area, Swimmer’s Itch can send you running for dry ground. We had our first dose of the pesky malady a few years ago, so now I’m prepared when it shows up. The geese are swimming, the beaches are full, and unfortunately, Swimmer’s itch is popping up on some of our favorite lakes. Summer has returned to Northern Michigan.
