There will be cases of cercaria again this year in German bathing lakes. The flukes penetrate the human skin within a few minutes and cause severe itching and red wheals. Exactly where they will appear next is difficult to determine.
Berlin – They cannot be seen with the naked eye and penetrate human skin within four minutes: Cercaria, a larval stage of flukes, are becoming more and more common in bathing lakes in Germany Germany to find. An infestation leads to dermatitis and, accordingly, to red, extremely itchy wheals. According to media reports, the lakes in Berlin could be at risk first this summer. But where they can arise cannot be clarified in advance. Because the flukes are only noticeable when they have already infested the bathers.
Suction worms in German bathing lakes: Cercaria could first appear in Berlin this year
According to data from star Cercaria can now appear in the Berlin bathing lakes. The Berlin State Office for Health and Social Affairs warned of the microscopic worms that penetrate people’s skin and settle there. In any case, an infestation should be reported to the health department. But bodies of water throughout Germany can quickly be affected. Because the worms spread via waterfowl. In Hamburg recently had a cercaria infestation in a natural outdoor pool – Children complained about an itchy skin rash and wheals after going to the pool.
Cercaria in Germany: flukes are spread by waterfowl
In addition to blue-green algae, cercaria are a major, well-known problem in German bathing lakes. Actually, the parasites only attack waterfowl. The cercariae burrow into their skin, develop, and their eggs are shed in the birds’ feces. The parasite babies that then hatch first look for freshwater snails as intermediate hosts. In these they continue to develop for two to three months until they swarm out again as cercariae to bore into the skin of waterfowl again. In the search for them, however, people are also attacked.
Cercaria in the bathing lake: flukes can lead to bathing dermatitis
The fluke species can cause swimmer’s dermatitis or cercaria dermatitis in humans. This intensely itchy skin condition is common after swimming in shallow water areas. Red and itchy bumps form on the skin. This is caused by the larvae of the fluke worms. These usually affect waterfowl, but also penetrate the skin of humans.
Red, itchy wheals: larvae of the fluke penetrate the skin
There they are fought by the body’s immune system. This can lead to red, itchy bumps on the skin. Depending on the immune system of the affected person, the infestation can be stronger or weaker.
In severe cases, fever can occur in addition to the itchy wheals. Overall, swimmer’s rash is uncomfortable, but experts say it’s harmless. Nevertheless, the wheals should not be scratched. More infections could occur. After about 10 to 20 days everything is over. In the case of severe infestation and itching, where no home remedies can help, a doctor should still be consulted.
Not visible to the naked eye: How can one protect oneself from infection with cercariae?
The cercaria only become apparent when bathers are infested, as they cannot be seen with the naked eye due to their very small size. It is also very difficult to make predictions about the occurrence. This is due to the complicated development cycle of the larvae.
During their swarming season, the flukes appear primarily in shallow bank areas. Unfortunately, this begins with the bathing season. Epidemic cases of swimmer’s dermatitis can occur, especially in prolonged heat and water temperatures between 26 and 28 degrees Celsius. Especially when animals such as water snails and ducks live in the water. The reason: the eggs of the flukes get into the water with the excrement of the birds.
Dry well, but don’t shower: tips against flukes
As the state health department in Lower Saxony on their website, there are also very practical tips for dealing with the larvae. According to this, cercaria need an average of four minutes to penetrate the skin. Therefore, after jumping into the water, the body should first be dried off well or even rubbed down properly. Showering after bathing favors the survival of the cercaria and penetration into the skin. Therefore, it should only be done later, after going to the bath.
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