A mother and daughter have claimed a dip in a lake in France left them both suffering from “tennis ball” sized blisters all over their bodies.
On June 9, Albana Tanushi visited Lake Bourget in Aix-les-Bains with her six-year-old son, considered one of the most beautiful natural lakes in the country.
After deciding it was too cold to swim, they both dipped their arms and legs in the water to cool off, he said.
However, the next morning, mother and daughter woke up to discover red and yellow blisters covering their arms and legs.
Doctors believe they may have suffered from phytophotodermatitis, a painful reaction that occurs when plant chemicals rubbed on the skin are exposed to sunlight.
On June 9, Albana Tanushi visited Lake Bourget in Aix-les-Bains with her six-year-old son, considered one of the most beautiful natural lakes in the country. After deciding it was too cold for her to swim, they both dipped their arms and legs in the water to cool off, she said.
However, the next morning, mother and daughter woke up to discover red and yellow blisters covering their arms and legs. Details about the actual illness are scarce.
Lake Bourget is located in Savoy, eastern France, where thousands of tourists flock each year to swim, sail and play golf.
Lake Bourget is located in Savoy, eastern France, where thousands of tourists flock each year to swim, sail and play golf.
Tanushi told local media: “I thought, ‘Are these really my legs?’ Is it me?” I told myself that these couldn’t be my feet, I was having a nightmare.
“You could see from moment to moment that one of the blisters was swelling in front of my eyes.”
His daughter, whose name has not been identified, added: “It was painful, it stung, you could see it was all red.”
After rushing to the hospital, they were both prescribed a morphine-based cream to treat phytophotodermatitis, Tanushi said, to help ease the pain.
While the blisters have disappeared, photos show that her and her daughter’s legs were still dry and scarred days later.
Phyto means plant, photo means sunlight and dermatitis means skin inflammation.
The rash occurs wherever the skin has been exposed and is itchy, red-burning, or even bruise-like. The skin may also blister.
Gardeners can get their hands on it: giant hogweed is a common cause, as is rhubarb.
Citrus fruits can also trigger the reaction, which is why we often see it in the mouths of children who have been eating popsicles made with real lemons or limes.
Over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion is known to relieve itching.
However, people are advised to visit a GP if it does not go away within a few days, who may prescribe a stronger steroid.
And while gardening, wear pants and long sleeves.
The news comes as Brits en masse are turning to outdoor swimming.
Proponents swear by the natural “high” and health benefits they get from taking the plunge.
They claim that soaking in frigid temperatures improves mood, reduces stress and destroys body fat.
But wild swimming also poses other obvious dangers.
But doctors believe they may actually have suffered from phytophotodermatitis, a painful reaction that occurs when plant chemicals rubbed on the skin are exposed to sunlight.
After rushing to the hospital, they were both prescribed a morphine-based cream to treat phytophotodermatitis, Tanushi said, to help ease the pain. While her blisters have disappeared, photos of her show that her and her daughter’s legs were still dry and scarred days later.
Brits en masse are turning to outdoor swimming and opting to take cold showers at a moment’s notice to stay fit and improve health. Proponents swear by the natural “high” and health benefits they get from taking the plunge. In the photo, Lake Bourget in the French Alps
Freezing temperatures can trigger a potentially fatal condition of fluid in the lungs, especially when swimming long distances, researchers warned yesterday.
Pulmonary edema (when excess fluid builds up in the alveoli of the lungs) can cause difficulty breathing and requires urgent hospital treatment, with the added risk of drowning when swimming.
Experts say it’s unclear what causes the condition, but it likely includes increased pressure and exaggerated constriction in the blood vessels that supply the lungs.
And pollution in Britain’s seas, rivers and lakes has also raised fears about the health of wild swimmers.
Hannah Murray, 38, an NHS professional from Southsea, Hampshire, took up sea swimming in 2021 to gain personal health benefits and reduce her stress levels.
However, after continuing with his new hobby in 2022, he began to feel unwell.
After a series of tests, Ms. Murray was diagnosed with hepatitis A, a liver infection that can be transmitted through droppings.
And he claims it’s because he came into contact with sewage while swimming.
