'Itchy' Situation in Detroit Lake - Valley News Live - KVLY/KXJB - Fargo/Grand Forks

'Itchy' Situation in Detroit Lake

The recent warmer weather may have some people itching to get in the water. But a hot spot in lakes country may have you itching once you get out.

The body of water that decorates Detroit Lakes, Minnesota attracts people from all over the region. It's what brought this group all the way from Fargo. "We came here to go swimming," says Colter Pratt, Fargo.

But as you can see, not everyone is taking their chances in the waves. "I'm good with out swimmers itch," says one lake-goer. There's been several reports of swimmers itch here in Detroit lake. "Never had it and I don't want to deal with it."

Swimmers itch comes from a parasite that burrows into the skin and that's when people start to experience an itch. And although it may be bad news for some, swimmers itch keeping lake goers out of the water, the good news is that the Public Works department here has come up with a solution to the problem. "It's a copper sulfate that is very effective on the parasite," says Brad Green, Public Works director of Detroit Lakes. Green says they've hired a contractor to treat the lake, something they are only allowed to do twice a year.

"People will be warned. There will be signs up because you can't get in the lake when the treatment is happening," says Green. For now Green says, if you do happen to swim in the lake towel off once you get out, a good tip for these guys who will continue to make a splash, with or without the itch. "I guess we'll find out who had the right idea when we get out," says Pratt. The lake will be treated on Wednesday.

Green says swimmers itch is something the lake sees every year, but this year he says it seems to have appeared earlier due to the warmer weather.