Lakes where the problem is severe are incurring significant costs for comprehensive, multi-year control programs funded by public and private sources. If the problem is getting much worse, we may have to significantly increase resources dedicated to the problem. We are actively supporting this legislation, and - if funded - Glen Lake will probably be one of four control sites.Īt the end of the summer season, we will evaluate these efforts and use this information to determine our strategy for 2017. Supporting statewide efforts for funding swimmer’s itch researchĪs of this writing, funding for swimmer’s itch control is being proposed by the state legislature within the DNR budget. Last year we funded and cooperated with Oakland University to collect water samples, as part of snail research for swimmer’s itch control. GLA is not endorsing these products, but you are welcome to try them and provide us feedback on your experience. There are several products people use to try to avoid swimmer’s itch including Swimmers’ Itch Guard, Bullfrog (sunscreen), and Sea Safe sunblock (new to this list based upon people’s experience on Crystal Lake). Exploring the effectiveness of “itch” prevention creams Please report cases of swimmer’s itch here (it’s long, but necessary) and please remember to let us know if you were using any preventatives. Better documentation will help target harassment efforts and quantify the extent of the itch problem, essential to seeking future public/private funds to address it. We need to better document cases of swimmer’s itch on our lakes. Improving reporting of swimmer’s itch cases Harassment is not a permanent solution, but it is the best control option currently available. Thanks to a generous donation from a GLA member, we have doubled our spring harassment program effort. Significantly strengthening our duck harassment programĬurrently, our control of swimmer’s itch centers on the harassment of the Common Merganser duck. Given the state is not issuing permits to live trap Mergansers from lakes until required studies are completed (expected in 2017), we will be implementing the following measures in 2016: Last year the number of Common Mergansers residing our lake increased significantly. The “itch” has increased to alarming rates on many neighboring lakes, and we are concerned that our interventions could be losing some of their effectiveness. The tests also found that several of the sunscreens are less effective than others at protecting against UVA rays.The recent survey to our membership confirmed that swimmer’s itch is a high priority. Banana Boat Kids’ SPF was also below 15, though it is claimed to be SPF 50. Beyond Coastal Natural is claimed to have an SPF of 30, but testers found that its SPF was below 15. But two sunscreens were off by much more. In some cases Consumer Reports found that the SPF was off by just a little. It’s protection from UVB rays that SPF quantifies.Įighteen of the 20 sunscreens that Consumer Reports tested came in below the SPF they promise on their packages, although except for two they did provide adequate protection.Ĭonsumer Reports can’t say why its test results differ from the manufacturers’. Best tinted formula: Babo Botanicals Daily Sheer Fluid. Best water-resistant formula: Blue Lizard Sensitive Skin SPF 30. Then the panelists were exposed to UVA or UVB rays, and their backs were examined a day later for color. Best for eczema-prone skin: Neutrogena SheerZinc Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion. To test, Consumer Reports applied sunscreen to panelists’ backs and had them soak in a tub for 80 minutes. Broad spectrum means they should protect against two types of ultraviolet rays: UVB rays, which cause sunburn, and UVA rays, which are linked to skin aging. But Consumer Reports’ lab tests reveal that you can’t always rely on that claim.Ĭonsumer Reports tested 20 sprays and lotions that claim to be water resistant and provide “broad spectrum” protection. When you shop for sunscreen, what do you look for? A Consumer Reports survey finds half of sunscreen wearers say what’s most important is the SPF, or sun protection factor.
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