The parasite that causes swimmer's itch can live in a horse's trough.
Swimmer's itch, also known as schistosome dermatitis, is a skin condition or rash. A parasite that penetrates the skin is responsible for causing swimmer's itch.
Horse's Trough
When water in a horse trough is contaminated with the parasite, humans who touch the water can develop swimmer's itch. Only about a third of the people exposed to the parasite actually develop the rash.
Infected Water
People usually contract swimmer's itch when they swim or wade in water infected with the parasite. Although people of any age can contract swimmer's itch, it is most prevalent among children due to their tendency to wade in shallow water where the parasite is more likely to be found.
Parasite Development
The parasite that causes swimmer's itch usually infects birds and mammals that spend time in water. The parasites spend part of their life cycle in snails and then are released into water as larvae that end up residing in waterfowl and semi-aquatic mammals. However, the larvae can also penetrate the skin of humans. Once they have broken through human skin, the parasites die and do not create a long-lasting infection. Some people develop an allergic reaction to the parasite, though, resulting in a rash.
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