swimmer's itch

Last reviewed 01/2018

Circarial dermatitis / "swimmer's itch" - itching with erythema and a papular rash, due to entry of schistosomal cercaria through the skin; lasts for 2-3 days and thought to be a hypersensitivity reaction to circarial proteins. Not diagnostic; may occur with non-human schistosomes which subsequently die in the skin.