Swimmer's Itch Making Painful Appearance During Summer Fun

GERRISH TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - Swimmer's itch is a painful problem that many northern Michigan visitors can't duck.

Flatworms that spend part of their lives in the bodies of migratory ducks can cause painful rashes lasting several weeks.

It's been around for years but is getting particular attention at northern Michigan's 10,000-acre Higgins Lake in Roscommon County, west of Roscommon.

The lake is popular with ducks and with people, and snails that host the flatworms are common in shallower sections.

Jamie Magnan of Harrison Township says her 3-year-old daughter Bella and 6-year-old daughter Addison developed itchy, red welts that kept the family up for two nights.

Gerrish Township supervisor Frank Homola tells The Detroit News his community makes swimmer's itch a top priority in the summer.
© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.