Bath After Swimming in Natural Waters

By HBTV
Monday, July 27, 2015 | 7:07 AM
https://hbtv.us/news/?story_id=2727

You still have time for some summer fun, but reports from WIAT 42 in Birmingham and the Cullman Times indicate there may be a problem if you want to go swimming in Smith Lake or any other body of natural water. Experts are advising to bath after swimming in Smith Lake otherwise you could develop skin infections. Over this past weekend, a 4 year-old boy broke out in sores after swimming in Smith Lake, which was diagnosed as a staph infection. Other people have reported skin infections, ranging from rashes to impetigo and staph. 

The Alabama Department of Public Health stated they were not aware of any alerts or swimming restrictions for any lakes in Alabama. 

It may be the heat, but with any body of natural water, there is always going to be some form of bacteria. Children are going to have scrapes and bug bites. Parents are cautioned to rinse their children well after they get out of the water to reduce the bacteria on the skin to prevent infections like impetigo. Anyone with a skin infection should avoid swimming in natural bodies of water to prevent further exposure to bacteria, according to Dr. Karen Landers, a pediatrician who works for the Department of Health.