Unfortunately, parasites can live and eat not only in a person’s internal organs, but also penetrate under the skin. This causes some diseases that have their own specifics. It is important to diagnose the cause of unpleasant symptoms in time and begin treatment before the parasitic worms cause significant damage to the body. Most parasites that live under the skin can only be infected in tropical latitudes: swimming in stagnant pools, drinking uncooked water, or falling prey to blood -sucking insects. But some individuals "settle" in their bodies without leaving home.
Various diseases and parasites
Medicine distinguishes several diseases, the diagnosis of which indicates subcutaneous worms in humans.
- Cysticercosis. The causative agent is the larvae of pig tapeworms. Often they enter the body with water or uncooked food. These worms are localized in internal organs, eyes, brain, muscles and under the skin (they are observed on the shoulders, palms, chest). Such parasites can live in a person for many years, thickening and swelling forming under the epidermis, which thickens over time. Diagnosis is slightly facilitated by urticaria, which is always indicated by a rash on the skin.
- Schistosomiasis. The disease is provoked by helminths that live in African and Asian waters. Worms affect the genitourinary system and skin. The main symptoms are itching, rash, dermatitis, heavy sweating at night, kidney damage, enlargement of the liver.
- Filariasis. These are thread -like nematodes that live in South America, Asia and Africa. They are spread by blood -sucking insects. The disease develops for a very long time (up to seven years), but gives rise to several skin pathologies: ulcers, eczema, nodes, papules, rashes. If a person does not pay attention to persistent headaches, drowsiness, sleep disturbances and general weakness, complications can develop in the form of arthrosis, glaucoma, cataracts.
- Scabies. Scabies mites half a century ago were common. It settles in the inner layer of the epithelium, eats it and lays eggs there. The female parasite lives for about two months, but manages to lay several dozen eggs under the skin. The lice penetrate passages in the epithelium, and this is what causes severe itching. Place of localization - folds on the body, sides of the thighs, mammary glands, armpits, genitals and hair. Human skin is covered with blistering rashes, acne, boils and other complications occur.
- Dirofillaria. These are parasites that can exist not only subcutaneously, but also affect the eyeballs. Females of these worms reach a length of up to 30 cm, and males - up to 10. Carriers of worms of this species are dogs and cats, and biting them, mosquitoes carry microfilaria larvae to humans. In this case, adult development in the body may take years. According to statistics, most eyeball removal falls right on the diagnosis of dirofillaria, after a total deterioration in vision, up to blindness. Seals form under the skin, which itch, turn red, and can reach the size of an egg. Inside there are adult worms.
- Dracunculosis (guinea worm). This is a round worm, reaching a length of up to 120 centimeters. More common in tropical climates. In addition to humans, cats and dogs are also affected. You can be infected by drinking uncooked water, swimming in contaminated reservoirs. Once in the body in the form of larvae, the worm reaches adulthood only after a year of living in a person. Often, the feet suffer from this disease: they are people who are prone to complications such as the development of contractures, inflammation of the joints. In addition, the presence of guinea worms in a person is fraught with gangrene and blood poisoning.
- Ankylostomiasis. The causative agents of worms live in tropical and subtropical climates. Hook worms are introduced under a person’s skin through slight damage to the skin (usually the feet), and there they remain as parasites. The disease manifests itself with symptoms such as severe itching, sometimes there is a cough, anemia, there are signs of damage to internal organs.
- Demodicosis. This is one of the most common dermatological diseases. It occurs due to the penetration of subcutaneous lice -causing agents. This is a non -worm disease, but the pest also lives in the epidermal layer (in the meibom ducts and sebaceous glands). Parasitic symptoms: numerous pimples, noticeable on the face, cheeks, forehead and around the eyes, sometimes there is loss of eyelashes.
Diagnosis, symptoms and signs
If subcutaneous worms and parasites are suspected, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible, as some individuals live in people for several years before "pleasant" with symptoms. Therefore, at the time of detection, the parasite already has time to cause damage to health.
Because the clinical picture of worms and other subcutaneous populations is rather vague and many symptoms appear individually, there is usually no clear list of signs. There are several indicators that can indicate subcutaneous parasites: persistent itching, skin irritation, seals of various sizes, rashes, small blisters on the surface of the epithelium, indirectly - sleep disturbances, fatigue. To find out the etiology of such manifestations and exclude helminthic invasion, you need to visit several specialists, among them:
- dermatologist;
- neuropathologist;
- allergies;
- infectious disease specialist;
- psychologists (if previous experts did not find pathology in their profile).
Diagnosis occurs in several ways, depending on the symptoms:
- blood tests for antigens;
- examination of epidermal samples;
- smear;
- taking secrets;
- scrape.
It is this indicator that can detect the presence or absence of parasites on a person's skin.
Traditional pest control methods
Treatment directly depends on the type of parasitic worm. In each individual case, the appropriate therapy is selected, taking into account the age and degree of neglect of the problem. Most drugs are quite toxic not only for worms, but also for the human body.
- getting rid of dracunculiasis is possible only through surgical operation;
- scabies parasites are effectively removed by hydrochloric acid and sulfuric soap;
- with schistosomiasis, antimony medications will help;
- the body is freed from demodicosis by cosmetic lines for facial skin care (special soaps for washing, creams).
Along with traditional medicine treatment, patients need to tighten hygiene procedures, carefully monitor the hygiene of the body, premises, clothing, and avoid unnecessary contact with people. In some cases, you need diet foods, skin care cosmetics.
Prevention of subcutaneous worms
With helminthic invasion, you need to be careful, as it is relatively easy to resolve parasites in the body, and may take years for proper diagnosis and cure.
To minimize the risk of subcutaneous worm infections, doctors advise to keep in mind the following rules:
- before traveling to a country with a tropical climate, you should be vaccinated;
- always follow the rules of hygiene: wash hands after contact with a large number of people, money, after going to the toilet, before eating;
- women should not use other people’s cosmetics, as there is a high risk of bringing parasitic larvae (or fleas) to their skin;
- fruits and vegetables should be washed thoroughly before use, but it is better to pour boiling water, the meat is subject to the effects of prolonged heat, boiling water to drink;
- carefully treat any skin damage with antiseptics, especially in the tropics;
- do not swim in dirty and dubious waters.
If parasites have settled under the skin, this is a reason to contact a dermatologist as soon as possible. He or she will be able to determine the type of worm and prescribe adequate treatment. In most cases, patients are waiting for conservative therapy, including taking antihelminthic medications and other medications that relieve the symptoms of the disease in humans.