Swimmers’ itch

Introduction and history of the disease Schistosomal dermatitis, cercarial dermatitis or swimmers’ itch is caused by penetration of larvae, cercariae, of blood flukes (schistosomes) into human skin which are released from infected snails (Figure 22.1). Being a global problem, the disease is widespread, for example, in northern and central Europe, in Russia, and in North America.