Anecdotal Reports of Swimmer’s Itch at Kal Lake

Interior Health currently shows no active beach advisories for the Okanagan region

Reports of swimmer’s itch at Kalamalka Lake have been circulating on social media

from people dealing with the annoying, itchy bumps after swimming at Kal Lake. Multiple families and individuals have shared experiences of red, bumpy rashes after visiting popular spots on the lake.

Anecdotal accounts of increased sales of anti-itch creams seem to line up with those stories.

Almost every year, when the right conditions line up, warm water temperatures, active snail populations, and plenty of water birds, reports of the irritating rash tend to rise.

Swimmer’s itch (cercarial dermatitis) is caused by microscopic larvae of a parasitic flatworm. These larvae are released into the water by snails. They’re looking for birds to complete their lifecycle, but they sometimes burrow into human skin, triggering an allergic reaction.

Shallow, weedy areas near shore, where snails and waterfowl are more common, are the highest risk zones.

How to Avoid or Reduce Swimmer’s Itch

• Shower or rinse off vigorously with soap as soon as you get out of the water.

• Towel dry thoroughly right away.

• Change out of wet swimsuits immediately.

• Swim in deeper water when possible, away from shallow weedy shorelines.

• Avoid areas with lots of ducks or geese.

Don’t scratch if you get a rash, it can quickly lead to infection.

For the latest information, call the Interior Health Swimming Advisory Hotline: 250-469-8455.

While Interior Health currently shows no active beach advisories for the Okanagan region, swimmer’s itch itself often flies under the radar of formal warnings. It’s usually just a temporary (but very itchy) annoyance that peaks in mid-to-late summer.

Anecdotal Reports of Swimmer’s Itch at Kal Lake