A severe case of swimmer’s itch in Victoria, Australia with bullous eruption

Abstract

Cutaneous schistosomiasis (swimmer’s itch) is an itchy maculopapular rash that follows skin penetration by cercariae of nonhuman schistosomes, during fresh or brackish water exposure. It is typically a mild skin reaction that settles in one to three weeks. Here we describe a case of severe swimmer’s itch acquired in Victoria, Australia, with widespread bullous lesions on water-exposed areas of skin. This case presented a diagnostic challenge and is unique given the severity of the reaction and the geographic occurrence; the condition rarely causes bullae, and to date has been reported only in more northern latitudes of Australia. With climate change trends, swimmer’s itch is likely to become increasingly prevalent in more temperate regions, illustrating the importance of clinician awareness of this condition.