Beware of swimmer's itch

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Updated: 7:02 PM Jul 1, 2009 Beware of swimmer's itch Nuisance appears every summer; no known cause Posted: 8:34 AM Jul 1, 2009

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With the big Fourth of July holiday this weekend, state water experts advise that the annual warm weather nuisance known as swimmer's itch is making its seasonal appearance in Wisconsin lakes.

The Department of Natural Resources says it appears as red itching, bite-like welts within minutes and sometimes hours after leaving the water.

The agency says the irritation can last from two days to several weeks, depending on a person's susceptibility, but there are no permanent health problems.

DNR water specialist Frank Koshere says swimmers itch is found in some of the state's finest recreational lakes and there seems to be no special circumstances or characteristics for lakes having the problem.