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Swimmer’s Itch

Joette Calabrese, HMC, PHom M

June 26th, 2022  |  10 Comments

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Joette Calabrese

 

It’s summer! It’s hot! It’s REALLY hot!

I raised three boys. I know that when the weather gets hot, kids gravitate to the water — any water. It doesn’t matter if it’s an overcrowded swimming pool, a seaweed-laden ocean or a murky river. Heck, even mud puddles look attractive to kids when the temperature is roasting.

But while bodies of water may look alluring, they can contain microscopic parasites (carried in by certain land animals, snails and birds) that can cause an itchy allergic reaction in sensitive swimmers. The medical name for this condition is cercarial dermatitis, but you’ll often hear it referred to as swimmer’s itch.

And it’s no fun.

Jenny, a 16-year-old I know, was swimming with her family in a man-made lake (a reservoir used for making snow at a local ski hill in the winter). It was a perfect day of water games and frolicking until Jenny started itching.

Even though Jenny’s whole family had been in the lake, only Jenny started itching. Poor girl.

When her mom realized what Jenny had, the idea of waterborne parasites left them so “creeped out” that they didn't go back to the lake that summer.

Avoidance is certainly one precaution. However, planning for the future didn’t help Jenny’s obsessive itching. It was crazy-making.

A complaint of swimmer’s itch can be somewhat of a broad category. As I mentioned, it’s medically defined as being caused by tiny parasites in the water. But some people use the term more generically, encompassing everything from sensitivity to salt or chlorine to dryness caused by continual evaporation from getting in and out of the water.

But we don’t necessarily need to know the exact etiology. We know what medicine is excellent for itching and rashes in general, don’t we?

And it’s not the cortisone cream suggested by conventional medical websites. Cortisone cream is merely temporary appeasement, not a solution. Plus, the use of steroidal creams can usher in dreadful side effects. It’s like killing a mosquito with a bazooka! Sure, it may momentarily get the job done, but at what price?

Instead, the Practical Homeopath would turn to Antimonium crudum 6, twice daily until very much better. If the itching was severe, overwhelming and maddening, they might consider employing it every 3-4 hours. Then, when improvement is observed, they should back off to utilizing it twice daily.

(If you order this or any medicine from Boiron, use my name (Joette) in the coupon box to receive a 20% discount! I do not have an affiliate program with them. I don't get kickbacks from them or anyone; I prefer the savings go directly to you!)

Several years ago, you may remember I taught about Ant crud in my blog post, Itchy Skin. Let me tell you, Antimonium crud is a capital medicine for itching and has helped many of my clients and students recover from itchy skin disorders. Earlier in my career, I had previously used other remedies that have a history of addressing itchy, eruptive skin. However, the addition of this medicine (thanks to the Drs. Banerji) has made a significant difference in the number of corrected cases I’ve witnessed.

It’s one of those medicines that should be in every medicine cabinet … because you never know when swimmer’s itch (or something else) will make you (or someone you love) climb the walls.

So, plunge into that pool or lake without fear. Cool off and have fun! Should there be a microscopic annoyance in the water that causes problems later, you’ll be armed with homeopathic medicine to give your body the natural assistance it needs — without risking the side effects of cortisone creams or steroids.

Pass on the good news of homeopathy!

Warmly,

Joette Calabrese

P.S. Should you discover that your skin issue is more than just a transitory bout of swimmer’s itch, I suggest my course Skin, the Ugly Truth: Safe, Effective Treatment of Skin Ailments, Chronic or Acute, with Homeopathy.

Need inspiration? Look at one blog reader’s experience as she became more immersed in homeopathy and found my course on skin issues.

And remember — all my Mighties (Joette’s Mighty Members) qualify for a 10% discount on course purchases. If you need assistance getting your discount, email contact@practicalhomeopathy.com for more information.

 

Swimmer’s itch

 

I am a homeopath with a worldwide practice working with families and individuals via Zoom. I'm also a teacher and most importantly, a mom who raised my now-adult children depending on homeopathy over the last 31 years. I lived decades of my life with food intolerances, allergies, and chemical sensitivities until I was cured with homeopathy, so I understand pain, anxiety, and suffering. You may feel that your issues are more severe or different than anyone else’s, but I have seen it all in my practice and in my work in India. My opinion is that nothing has come close to the reproducible, safe and effective results that my clients, students and I have achieved with homeopathy.

Call today and learn how homeopathy might just be the missing piece in your health strategy.


Joette is not a physician and the relationship between Joette and her clients is not of prescriber and patient, but as educator and client. It is fully the client's choice whether or not to take advantage of the information Joette presents. Homeopathy doesn't "treat" an illness; it addresses the entire person as a matter of wholeness that is an educational process, not a medical one. Joette believes that the advice and diagnosis of a physician is often in order.


We've provided links for your convenience but we do not receive any remuneration nor affiliation in payment from your purchase.


The Author disclaims all liability for any loss or risk, personal or otherwise incurred as a consequence of use of any material in this article. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.



 

10 thoughts on “Swimmer’s Itch”

  1. Lilly says:

    This is great to add to our first aid kit. Do you have suggestions for swimmer’s ear.

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH says:

      In your browser key in the words “Joette Calabrese Swimmers Ear”.
      I’ve been posting conditions and the exact remedies e. week for 13 years.

  2. Amy Louwers says:

    Thank you for posting these very needed remedies for summer! If you only have Ant Cruc 30c on hand, would the dosage be different?

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH says:

      Potency matters.

      1. Amy says:

        Ant Crud 6c is on back order from the site I order from and not available in the store. If I have Ant Crud 30c on hand, how should I dose? Plus in water and give twice daily until better? Thank you for your reply!

  3. Anna says:

    What strength should be used? Does it matter if drops or pellets are used?

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH says:

      Read the article carefully.

  4. Karen says:

    Good article…just in time for a friend! I had told her Apis just because hers presented as hives. But good to know other choices for different symptoms!

  5. Dotty says:

    What do you use for prostrate homopathically

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH says:

      Google the words JoetteCalabreseProstate.

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