Swimmers at Clear Lake are being urged to take precautions after multiple people reported symptoms consistent with swimmer’s itch, Thurston County Public Health
Swimmers at Clear Lake are being urged to take precautions after multiple people reported symptoms consistent with swimmer’s itch, Thurston County Public Health & Social Services said Wednesday.
The county said the parasite that causes swimmer’s itch, also known as Cercarial Dermatitis, appears to be present in Clear Lake after receiving reports from two people over a six-day period who swam there and “appear to have swimmer’s itch.” Health officials also warned that swimmers at any freshwater lake should be aware that the parasite may be present and that steps can be taken to reduce the risk of infection.
An image of Clear Lake on Aug. 20, 2026. (KOMO)"Swimmer’s itch is a common allergic reaction that can occur in lakes and may recur seasonally or from year to year. It is caused by microscopic parasites that are released from infected snails. These parasites are intended to infect birds and other wildlife, but they can come into contact with people swimming or wading in the water, causing an itchy rash," a county spokesperson explained. "The occurrence of swimmer’s itch can vary from year to year. Changes in wildlife populations, snail populations, and weather or environmental conditions can influence how frequently it may occur in a particular lake."
While some people were seen paddle boarding and even swimming on Thursday, Simone Relyea and her family traveled from Lake Tapps to enjoy Clear Lake out of the water.
She said they didn’t know about the health department’s recent notice about the parasite, but she's not surprised.
"Unfortunately, I think it’s something all of our lakes deal with seasonally, to some degree," Relyea stated. "We just came out to spend some time in the sunshine and fish."
Health officials said swimmer’s itch generally resolves on its own without lasting health effects, but it can be uncomfortable. Symptoms can include tingling, burning, or itching of the skin.
The county advised people not to scratch affected areas because it can lead to a secondary infection. For severe itching, a health care provider may recommend prescription-strength creams or lotions to help relieve symptoms.
To reduce the likelihood of getting swimmer’s itch, the county recommends:
- Avoid swimming in areas where swimmer’s itch is a known problem or where warning signs have been posted.
- Avoid swimming near or wading in marshy areas where snails are commonly found.
- Towel dry or shower immediately after leaving the water.
- Apply waterproof sunscreen before entering the water to protect from the sun and reduce the parasite’s ability to attach to the skin.
- Do not attract birds, such as by feeding them, in areas where people are swimming.
Clear Lake was one of the two Thurston County lakes back in 2023 that also reported the parasite that causes swimmer's itch.
The county said it's unclear how long people should avoid swimming at Clear Lake, as it is dependent on the life cycles of the parasite which are more prevalent in shallow water where the hosts, like snails, are likely to be.
More information on lake advisories and health risks, including toxic algae blooms, is available at www.thurstoncountywa.gov/lake-alerts.
