swimmer's itch

noun

: a severe urticarial reaction to the presence in the skin of larval schistosomes

Examples of swimmer's itch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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However, swimming in Alaska lakes and ponds can also cause this uncomfortable thing called duck itch, or swimmer's itch. Alli Harvey, Anchorage Daily News, 9 July 2018 While the beach is otherwise ready to go, swimmer's itch has been reported at Menomonee Park. Henry J. Morgan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 15 June 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of swimmer's itch was in 1928

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Cite this Entry

“Swimmer's itch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swimmer%27s%20itch. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Medical Definition

swimmer's itch

noun
: an itching inflammation that is a reaction to the invasion of the skin by schistosomes that are not normally parasites of humans

called also schistosome dermatitis

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