Wild swimming linked to higher risk of stomach bugs and skin rashes
Findings from research into illnesses associated with bathing in lakes and rivers come amid boom in hobby Wild swimming has been linked to a higher risk of stomach bugs and skin rashes, according to the largest ever controlled study of illnesses associated with bathing in rivers and lakes. The research found that swimmers at locations in Hungary were more than twice as likely to develop skin…
Recent research has found that wild swimming, particularly in heavily polluted waters, may pose health risks such as stomach bugs and skin rashes. The largest controlled study to date, involving 2,368 people at four bathing sites in Hungary, suggests swimmers are more than twice as likely to develop skin problems compared to those who remain on shore.
The primary risk factors identified were higher concentrations of E coli and coliphages, which are bacteria and viruses that indicate faecal contamination in the water. Despite this, the study did not find a direct link between bathing and stomach illness, though the risk did increase among those exposed to higher levels of these contaminants.
The researchers noted that the results could be applicable to the UK, where similar findings were observed in a 2006 German study. While the skin irritations were not linked to faecal pollution markers, other factors such as cercarial dermatitis from avian parasites or algae in the water may be responsible. The study also found increased incidences of respiratory, ear, and eye infections among swimmers, though the sample size was too small to draw definitive conclusions.
The World Health Organization's 2003 guidelines, which recommended monitoring both E coli and enterococci, were changed to focus only on enterococci. However, this study suggests that E coli should remain a monitoring indicator for freshwater waters, particularly given its strong association with skin irritations. The researchers emphasized the importance of maintaining rigorous bathing water quality standards, but acknowledged the limitations of their single-day observation study.
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