Homeopathic Remedies for Swimmer’s Itch 

Swimmer’s itch refers to an itchy rash which is caused by an allergic reaction to parasites (flatworm parasites belonging to the schistosomatidae family). One tends to contract this parasite by swimming mostly in freshwater lakes and ponds which carry this parasite. Swimmer’s itch is also known by other names such as cercarial dermatitis and schistosome dermatitis. Swimmer’s itch is not contagious which means it can not spread from one person to another person through direct skin contact. Homeopathic Remedies for Swimmer’s Itch help to heal the skin rash and the attending pimple-like eruptions or blisters present on the skin.     

Homeopathic Remedies for Swimmer’s Itch 

Homeopathic medicines are very effective to treat numerous skin complaints including the swimmer’s itch. They treat swimmer’s itch in a very natural and gentle manner. These also help to provide relief in the itching, burning or tingling sensation present on the affected skin area. The medicines used to treat cases of swimmer’s itch are selected based on the signs and symptoms present in each individual case. The prominent medicines for its treatment along with its characteristic features are given below. 

1. Graphites – For Red Pimples or Blisters

Graphites is a leading homeopathic medicine to manage cases of swimmer’s itch. In most cases needing it, small red pimples or blisters appear on the skin. The blisters tend to ooze transparent, watery and sticky fluid. Itching is present in these eruptions. After scratching burning is also felt in the eruptions. In some cases violent skin itching is there without any eruptions. This itching is almost continuous. The skin is rough and dry most times with above indications.

2. Sulphur – To Manage Skin Itching

Sulphur is a very effective medicine to manage skin itching in these cases. For using it the itching can be present on any of the body parts. Mostly it gets worse at night and or from warmth of the bed. The itching tends to wander from one place to another frequently. After scratching, burning and biting sensation can appear on the affected skin. The burning sensation often disturbs the night’s sleep. The itching is violent and sometimes people scratch the spots till it bleeds.  Pain and soreness in the itchy skin areas can follow too after scratching. Other than this formication (a sensation as if insects are crawling over the skin) and stitching  or prickling sensation can be felt on the skin. Red pimple-like eruptions and little vesicles can appear on the skin where it is required.

3. Apis Mellifica – For Skin Rash with Stinging Pain

Apis Mellifica is well indicated for treating skin rash with prominent stinging pains. These pain resemble bee stings. Other than this prickling sensation like needle pricks or smarting sensation on skin attends this. Intolerable itching and burning on skin is also present. In most cases needing it the itching worsens from warmth of bed, it is very intense that prevents sleep at night. Scratching helps to relieve the itching. Itching also gets better in the open air.  Along with above small red raised eruptions or blisters are present on the skin. Skin is very red and sensitive to slight touch in addition to above symptoms.

4. Natrum Mur – For Blisters on Skin

Natrum Mur works well in cases presenting with blisters on the skin. These blisters have clear, watery content. Initially, burning spots appear on skin. Following this blisters form on these spots. The skin is dry with this. In these cases itching, pricking and stinging sensation on the skin can also be felt. Skin is usually dry where it is needed. It is also indicated when skin rash is present. Stinging is felt in the rash.  Excessive soreness of skin may also arise along with smarting sensation.

5. Arsenic Album – For Burning Sensation on Skin

Arsenic Album is a prominent medicine for cases with burning sensation on skin. Persons needing it also complain of itching on skin. They also feel that itching worsens from scratching. Pain on the affected skin area also follows scratching. Skin is very rough and dry in such cases. Other than this they may have over sensitivity of skin. Pimple-like eruptions or blisters filled with watery fluid are present on the skin. These eruptions also have violent burning in it.   

6. Psorinum – For Managing Skin Itching                                                                                 

Psorinum is another excellent medicine for cases having marked skin itching. People who need this medicine mainly have itching when their body becomes warm. The itching is extreme and intolerable causing them to scratch skin until it bleeds. They may also have fine red eruptions or blisters on the skin. The blisters can be filled with yellow fluid. These blisters are painful to touch and there can be a stinging sensation on the skin. The skin usually looks dirty and greasy. 

7. Rhus Tox – For Small Blisters with Redness 

Rhus Tox is significant medicine when small blisters along with marked redness appear on the skin. These blisters have watery fluid in it. Burning sensation and itching arise in these blisters. Rubbing the affected skin area increases the eruptions most times. It is also indicated for intolerable itching, stinging and tingling sensation on the skin. 

8. Hepar Sulph – For Dry, Pimple-like Eruptions 

Hepar Sulph is a very useful medicine for dry, pimple-like eruptions on the skin. These are very sensitive and sore to touch. It is also indicated when there is burning and itching on the body. On scratching white blisters form on the affected skin part. It is also indicated for cases of skin infection when pus discharges are present. 

9. Sepia – For Skin Rash with Itching, Tingling Sensation

This medicine is an important medicine for skin rash accompanied with itching and tingling sensation. After scratching the itching changes to a burning sensation on skin. Blisters can be present on skin along with above symptoms. Another attending symptom is stitching sensation on the skin.

10. Merc Sol – For Pimple-like Eruptions or Blisters on Skin

Merc Sol is wonderful medicine to treat cases with pimple-like eruptions or blisters on the skin. These eruptions are itchy. Itching is worse at night in most of the cases requiring it. The blisters ooze thin clear fluid. The base of these blisters is very red.

Causes 

Swimmer’s itch is caused by a larval stage of flatworm parasites that belongs to the family schistosomatidae. These parasites normally live in the blood of waterfowl,  ducks, geese, gulls that live near ponds and lakes. They then release the eggs of the parasites in the water via their faeces. 

These eggs hatch in the water and the larva released infects the snail and undergoes its development in it. Following its development this snail releases tiny larvae called cercariae in the water. These cercariae begin to swim in the water and start searching to enter waterfowl and other water animals (which acts as its natural host) to initiate their life cycle once again. 

From there these parasites can accidentally attach to the skin of human beings who are swimming or wading there while the parasites are looking to enter their natural hosts. It then burrows into the human skin and can trigger an allergic reaction. Swimming in freshwater lakes or ponds carrying this parasite puts a person at risk to develop swimmer’s itch. These snails that carry this parasite and release larvae live near the shoreline, so swimming in shallow water near the shoreline puts a person at higher risk.  

Signs and Symptoms 

The parasites that cause swimmer’s itch burrow into the skin during swimming. It can cause mild skin irritation to a severely itchy red rash. It also causes a burning or tingling sensation on the skin. Itching, burning and tingling sensation in the exposed skin area are the initial symptoms of this condition. Following this there appear small reddish pimple-like eruptions or papular eruptions (solid elevations / bumps on the skin without any fluid) appear on the skin. These eruptions can further develop into blisters (fluid-filled bumps on the skin) in the next 24-48 hrs. The rash can get infected if a person scratches it. The rash in swimmer’s itch appears only on the skin area exposed (where it is not covered with swimsuit) to the water which is contaminated with the parasite. The rash can appear from minutes to around two days time after swimming in water infested with this parasite. The intensity of signs and symptoms varies from one person to another. it depends upon the degree of infestation (means number of the worm larvae that had burrowed in the skin) and a person’s sensitivity. The symptoms tend to get worse with repeated exposure to the parasite.