Cercarial dermatitis contracted via contact with an aquarium: case report and review

Br J Dermatol. 2001 Oct;145(4):638-40. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2133.2001.04414.x.

Abstract

Cercarial dermatitis ('swimmer's itch') is an itchy inflammatory response to the penetration of the skin by non-human Schistosoma parasites. It is commonly contracted while swimming or wading in lakes. We report a biology teacher who developed the dermatitis after cleaning the school aquarium in which he kept a water snail and some fish.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aquaculture*
  • Forearm
  • Humans
  • Lymnaea / parasitology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / diagnosis*
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / transmission
  • Skin Diseases, Parasitic / diagnosis*
  • Skin Diseases, Parasitic / transmission