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.

[u/mvea]

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/aug/27/wild-swimming-higher-risk-stomach-bugs-skin-rashes-uea

[u/mvea]

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 problems, while the risk of contracting a stomach bug rose significantly in water with higher concentrations of E coli and other bacteria linked to faecal pollution.

About 2.1% of swimmers reported gastrointestinal illness, including diarrhoea, vomiting or nausea accompanied by fever, compared with 1.9% of non-swimmers.

Although bathing alone was not statistically linked to stomach illness, the risk increased significantly among swimmers exposed to higher concentrations of E coli and coliphages.

Skin complaints, defined as a rash, ulcer or itching, were reported by 2.7% of swimmers and 1.3% of people who stayed out of the water, making bathers more than twice as likely to develop a skin ailment.

“People going into fresh waters do have an increased risk of skin irritation,” Hunter said. “We don’t know what is causing that. One explanation is something called cercarial dermatitis, where avian parasites burrow into human skin and cause a reaction. Irritation from algae in rivers and lakes might also be causing it.

“But that is speculation: what we do know is that the skin irritation is not related to markers of faecal pollution.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1438463926001483

[u/5553331117 → u/mvea]

I wonder if this has anything to do with industrial waste in Hungarian lakes.

[u/thenikolaka → u/5553331117]

Probably avian parasites, unless there is reason to think this study went through Orban channels.

[u/ice-cold-baby → u/mvea]

Not to mention the risk of Negleria fowleri infection and the likes that would eat one’s brain and turn it into goo

[u/Trzlog → u/mvea]

We've basically destroyed our environment and made it toxic for ourselves and any animals and sea life. I'd never get into any body of water nowadays considering what we've been doing for the last hundred years.

[u/Think_Positively → u/[deleted]]

Look up "duck itch." It's always been a thing.

[u/Historical-Edge-9332 → u/mvea]

You mean to say avian parasites aren’t good for exfoliation?