It turns out there's some unexpected danger when swimming in natural bodies of water. I'd like to figure out what exactly threatens swimmers and how to protect yourself during summer and fall vacations.
You're probably talking about cercariae - larvae of parasitic worms that live in freshwater and cause swimmer's itch! These microscopic creatures penetrate your skin, causing intense itching and irritation, and sometimes even more serious health problems. Protection is simple: dry off right away with a towel after swimming (the larvae die quickly on dry skin), avoid muddy and shallow areas where there are the most of them, and whenever possible choose tested swimming spots with good water circulation.
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