[6] Swimmer's itch was known to exist as early as the 19th century, but it was not until 1928 that a biologist found that the dermatitis was caused by the larval stage of a group of flatworm parasites in the family Schistosomatidae.

Some laboratory evidence indicates snails shed cercariae most intensely in the morning and on sunny days, and exposure to water in these conditions may therefore increase risk.

[13] Various strategies targeting the mollusc and avian hosts of schistosomes have been used by lakeside residents in recreational areas of North America to deal with outbreaks of swimmer's itch.

[citation needed] The results with this agent have been inconclusive, possibly because: More importantly, perhaps, copper sulfate is toxic to more than just molluscs, and the effects of its use on aquatic ecosystems are not well understood.

Some work in Michigan suggests that administering praziquantel to hatchling waterfowl can reduce local swimmer's itch rates in humans.

[15] Work on schistosomiasis showed that water-resistant topical applications of the common insect repellent DEET prevented schistosomes from penetrating the skin of mice.