Horrifying Michigan Parasite Burrows Into Your Skin And Dies

Michigan summers. Sunshine, barbeque, beaches, and parasites. Sounds relaxing, doesn't it? Well, everything except the whole "parasite" thing, right? Well, now that the sun is shining and the lakes are calling, and according to the CDC, something microscopic will be trying to invade your skin like it's auditioning for a horror movie.

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Welcome to the world of cercarial dermatitis in Michigan, also known as "why I now fear shallow water." Of course, you may know the condition better than the parasite that causes it: Swimmer's Itch (aka Clam-Diggers Itch and Duck Itch).

Swimmer's Itch in Michigan: "Where Did All These Itchy Bumps Come From?"

Swimmer's itch is caused by parasites living nearly everywhere in Michigan that target and infect birds or furry animals like muskrats and raccoons. However, these parasites have bad aim, eyesight, or both, because sometimes, they mistake you for a duck.

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These little jerks of the parasite world start their lifecycle in duck poop, settling down to the bottom of a lake and into the body of a snail. The snail then releases the next evolution of the parasite, which will dive bomb human skin when it can't find another host. Because it's burrowed into a person and not a varmint, it dies there, causing a nasty rash and an itch that won't quit.

 Avoiding the Parasite's Playgrounds

Given that the Swimmer's Itch parasite begins its life in duck feces, it's safe to say that if you plan on swimming in shallow water where ducks gather, you had better make other plans. Swimmer's Itch Solutions, LLC advises against feeding ducks in an area you swim in unless you want to spend the few months of summer Michigan gives us scratching at dead parasites under your skin and taking oatmeal baths.

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If you do end up with a case in Michigan, do your best to report it to the lake or park authority. Many have associations that monitor Swimmer's Itch. At the very least, let the property owner nearest the swimming area know, and if it's your land, start knocking on some doors. Who knows, maybe they have some extra oatmeal.