Pelican Itch Prevention

[Koalaboi]

Hi Everyone,

Some years ago fishing Tuggerah Lakes, I got hammered by pelican itch: around 30 to 40 "bites" on each foot from just above my ankles to my big toes. It was excruciating. One of the local pharmacies prepares an ointment that gave me some relief but after that I wore waders.

But, waders are too hot in summer and just not the go for me.

I have wetsuits but again, a bit too hot in summer unless immersed in water.

A fishing mate suggested liberal applications of sunscreen but my recent experience has put that one to bed.

I thought why not give the long lycra pants a go...$15 from KMart in the mens' active wear section. Got some and will give them a try.

Anyone else got any ideas?

KB

[jeffb5.8]

Stockings 

[fredflathead]

I lived at The Entrance from 1948 to 1956 as young boy and got Pelican Itch can't remember how we got relief, when I go prawning up there now I wear waders don't care how hot they are it better than Pelican Itch.

[Mullatt]

I'm heading up that way next week for a few days and was wondering is it just in the lake/estuary waters? And is it random or evident all year round?

Thanks

[masterfisho7]

17 hours ago, jeffb5.8 said:

Stockings 

Mate this is a good way out 

[Koalaboi]

From my experience, fishing year round in Tuggerah Lakes for 30 years, pelican itch is a summer hazard in the warm tepid water on the runout tide. Flathead time.

Yarraone posted this interesting info in 2008:

I just found this article for those of you that are interested..........

Dr Walker stated that the blood fluke Austrobilharzia terrigalensis was the most common cause of the 'itch' in coastal waters in NSW, where the water temperature exceeded 24 degrees. The itch, variously referred to as Swimmers Itch, Pelican Itch, Terrigal Itch and Narrabeen Itch is caused by the parasite penetrating the skin and then dying. Narrabeen Itch can be contracted when wading or bathing in fresh or salt water in areas infested by parasitic schistosome flat worms.

The life-cycle of the flatworm is complex and involves two hosts - one a vertebrate, usually a bird such as a seagull and the other an invertebrate. At Narrabeen Lagoon, the invertebrate host is the water snail Batillaria australis. Austrobilharzia terrigalensis was first discovered living in the blood vessels of a seagull from Terrigal. However, the organism is found more widely around the coast of Australia, wherever the seagulls and the intermediate host snails occur together on the shore. Some studies show about 75% of birds tested in the Narrabeen Lagoon are infected. Batillaria occurs in Narrabeen Lagoon in millions.

When the water temperature reaches at least 24 degrees, the parasite leaves the snail and moves to the surface of the water seeking contact with a bird - it is here that it sometimes accidentally encounters a human, buries into the skin but cannot reach blood and then dies. The life-cycle of the parasite is broken at this point. The immune response to the dead larva is the cause of the rash that develops some time later. It usually only becomes itchy if scratched or rubbed by clothing. If not scratched and infected, the lesions normally recede and disappear after two to three weeks.

From my research, bilharzia parasites are found around the world and in Africa can be a serious health problem for humans. My info also suggested that in Australia, birds release the parasite in their droppings which then float around in water waiting to attach to the legs of a host bird. On coming into contact with humans, the larvae (I think that's the right term) burrow into the skin but as we are not a compatible host they quickly die and set up an allergic reaction which causes the itchy welts. 

I'll let you know how the lycra leggings work once I have had a chance to test drive them.

KB

 

Edited January 3, 2019 by Koalaboi

[Mullatt]

1 hour ago, Koalaboi said:

From my experience, fishing year round in Tuggerah Lakes for 30 years, pelican itch is a summer hazard in the warm tepid water on the runout tide. Flathead time.

Yarraone posted this interesting info in 2008:

I just found this article for those of you that are interested..........

Dr Walker stated that the blood fluke Austrobilharzia terrigalensis was the most common cause of the 'itch' in coastal waters in NSW, where the water temperature exceeded 24 degrees. The itch, variously referred to as Swimmers Itch, Pelican Itch, Terrigal Itch and Narrabeen Itch is caused by the parasite penetrating the skin and then dying. Narrabeen Itch can be contracted when wading or bathing in fresh or salt water in areas infested by parasitic schistosome flat worms.

The life-cycle of the flatworm is complex and involves two hosts - one a vertebrate, usually a bird such as a seagull and the other an invertebrate. At Narrabeen Lagoon, the invertebrate host is the water snail Batillaria australis. Austrobilharzia terrigalensis was first discovered living in the blood vessels of a seagull from Terrigal. However, the organism is found more widely around the coast of Australia, wherever the seagulls and the intermediate host snails occur together on the shore. Some studies show about 75% of birds tested in the Narrabeen Lagoon are infected. Batillaria occurs in Narrabeen Lagoon in millions.

When the water temperature reaches at least 24 degrees, the parasite leaves the snail and moves to the surface of the water seeking contact with a bird - it is here that it sometimes accidentally encounters a human, buries into the skin but cannot reach blood and then dies. The life-cycle of the parasite is broken at this point. The immune response to the dead larva is the cause of the rash that develops some time later. It usually only becomes itchy if scratched or rubbed by clothing. If not scratched and infected, the lesions normally recede and disappear after two to three weeks.

From my research, bilharzia parasites are found around the world and in Africa can be a serious health problem for humans. My info also suggested that in Australia, birds release the parasite in their droppings which then float around in water waiting to attach to the legs of a host bird. On coming into contact with humans, the larvae (I think that's the right term) burrow into the skin but as we are not a compatible host they quickly die and set up an allergic reaction which causes the itchy welts. 

I'll let you know how the lycra leggings work once I have had a chance to test drive them.

KB

 

Thanks for the reply mate, much appreciated. And good luck with the leggings.

[Yowie]

You are correct Koalaboi about the itch caused by parasites. They are found in a lot of coastal lakes, and even though there may be a fair bit of water passing through the mouth, there are areas upstream with little water flow, which can be the breeding places of the parasites in the snails.

I bought a pair of waders, but cut them off so that I have the leg sections only. I have not yet tried them out, and may trim them down a bit further to above the knees after a trial run. (not anticipating prawning in the near future to try it out)

I read somewhere that people using full sized waders should be wearing a lifejacket as well, in case you fall over. The reason being that the waders will fill with water should you be lying horizontal after falling, and you may not be able to stand up again.

[campr]

Pelican itch also occurs in the lakes around Nowra and Jarvis Bay.  In the 70s i got an unbelievably bad dose thar completely covered the full lenth of my legs.  I'm over 6ft tall but my poor mate at about 5ft went in past his privates and was in so much pain he had to go to hospital and be sedated.  Funny now but not so much back then.  Just like seasickness it makes for fun stories later for those not afflickted.  Ron

[bessell1955]

Umm, I also have been the victim of this itch, back in the 70's.  It was so bad that I will enter any waterway that may contain these parasites.  

[Koalaboi]

Well,

The lycra legging things didn't work!

Bummer.

KB

[anthman]

I've got absolutely no experience with this, but reading the article you originally posted, Koalaboi, it would seem the water surface is the strike area? 

maybe you could take a pair of old wetsuit pants and chop them off just below the knee (depending on how deep you wade) and hopefully thats thick enough to not let the parasites through? wear them with booties and you have full coverage (Which you would any way to protect against oyster shells / other sharp objects).

If you dont have an old pair to chop up, just look for the cheapest you can find on ebay - 2mm wetsuit pants shipped from china seems to go for $32 -> +10% gst = ~$35 shipped. Would like some marine-based high school boy, i would imagine 😂 otherwise, just go with wetsuit bottoms and you can wade even deeper!