The most unpleasant symptoms, in the form of itching and rashes, can cause subcutaneous parasites in people of all ages. Each invasion brings a lot of health problems due to complications. Particularly dangerous are worm species with a long incubation period of several months.
Types of parasites that live under the skin
The subcutaneous worm can enter the human body: by tactile contact with infected people; from blood-sucking insects and transmitting parasite larvae from animals.
The main characteristic of such an invasion is the difficulty in recognizing the pathology, because in the beginning, the infection can be disguised as other somatic diseases.
Caught below the thickness of the skin, the parasite can eventually move to any internal organs and cause their functional disorders. Helminths feed on blood and use it to hatch larvae.
The main signs of the presence of this type of parasite in the body are strong weakness, reduced performance, a constant desire to scratch the skin. When these signs appear, it is desirable to visit specialists: therapists, dermatologists, allergists, specialists in infectious diseases. The joint work of doctors and the diagnostic methods they use in their work help to recognize the presence of a subcutaneous invasion in the body in time.
Of the diagnostic methods, examinations of faeces, blood, scalp and epidermis are mandatory.
The most common subcutaneous helminth infections occur in countries with very warm climates - Central Asia, Africa, South America. Therefore, returning from tourist trips across continents, you need to pay special attention to your health.
Bitan! It is strictly forbidden to be treated with medical and folk remedies - it can worsen the situation and poison the body. It is necessary not to delay a visit to the doctor and strictly follow the prescribed course of medication.
There are many types of worms that live in the skin. The invasive species listed below are major.
Filariasis
Subcutaneous helminths of this species are filamentous nematodes, common in tropical countries. This type of parasite can live in the skin for several years in a row, and after its own adaptation it migrates through the body and seeks another habitat.
Signs of the disease that appear at the beginning are a rash on the skin in the form of hives and spots, followed by itching. Then the temperature is added.
Severe signs of filariasis include eczema, ulcers and warts, subcutaneous nodules, severe headache, drowsiness, subcutaneous nodules, and fever.
The parasite can often be found on examination by an ophthalmologist because he likes to live in the lining of the eye.
Bitan! By not visiting the doctor in time, filariasis contributes to the appearance of eye diseases and leads to complete loss of vision.
Schistosomiasis
The parasite of this species lives in warm freshwater rivers and lakes in countries with hot climates. Infection can occur while bathing or drinking raw water.
The parasite affects the skin and urinary system at the same time. Toxic substances that enter the blood greatly poison the body, and this leads to various disorders in the work of many organs and systems.
Signs of parasite infection are: rash in the form of dermatitis and redness of the skin, unbearable itching, night sweats, enlarged liver, functional disorders of the kidneys, a sudden rise in temperature.
Schistosomiasis, which occurs with damage to the genitourinary system, clogs the outgoing and incoming bladder canal.
Bitan! In order not to get infected with this helminth, you cannot swim in the standing water bodies of the tropics and drink raw water from unknown natural sources.
Dracunculiasis
The disease is caused by rhizomes - roundworms-parasites, which reach a length of 80 cm. Infection with worms, which are home to countries with tropical climates and Central Asia, can result from the use of raw water or contact with worm-carrying cats and dogs.
The incubation period from the moment of infection with parasite eggs and migration through the body is 1, 5 months. Parasites develop and grow throughout the year.
Dracunculiasis mainly affects the skin of the lower extremities. The parasite can twist and develop, creating a long bulge on the skin and then a blister of a few inches. As soon as the bladder comes in contact with water, it immediately bursts releasing larvae that cause symptoms of severe internal itching.
Bitan! If therapy and fight against this type of parasite is not carried out, then the person begins to develop sepsis, gangrenous inflammation or immobility of the joints.
Scabies
The type of mite up to 0. 4 mm is the culprit for the development of scabies. Parasites can be infected by contact with the body of a sick person or his belongings, if the person has severely reduced immunity. Infection occurs when hygiene rules are not followed.
Small parasites found on the skin are introduced first into the epidermis and then into the deep layer and are capable of infecting the whole body with toxins. Parasites bite the passages in which they lay their eggs.
Clinical symptoms of the pathology appear in the form of a red rash, small blisters and peeling of the skin on: arms, thighs, elbows, knees and hair. If you treat the rash areas with iodine solution, then you can see ticks.
Due to the active development and reproduction of parasites, a person suffers from unbearable itching, which intensifies at night, the desire to scratch the skin, as well as after contact with water.
Complications of scabies include the development of furunculosis, eczema, dermatitis and vesicular skin lesions.
Bitan! To avoid getting scabies, you must adhere to hygiene rules and avoid contact with people infected with scabies.
Demodectic mange
This disease, caused by microscopic mites, is seasonal in nature, and occurs more often in the fall. The formation of excess fatty tissue on the skin in summer and the negative effects of ultraviolet rays undermine local immunity, contributing to the spread of this type of mite.
Parasites can be infected by tactile contact with a sick person, as well as the use of his personal belongings and care items.
The pathology, according to clinical signs, is very similar to acne affecting more and more territories. Pink and red papules shed abundantly on the face and back, leaving rough scars after healing. A person may develop eyelid inflammation, vasodilation, and peeling eyebrows.
Bitan! Demodectic mange has developed over the years. Skin scraping is used for the correct diagnosis of the person. Healing therapy can take up to 3 months.
Heartworm disease
Invasion is considered a dangerous parasitic disease caused by heartworm worms, which reach 30 cm in adulthood. This type of parasite affects the subcutaneous areas as well as the eye tissue and can cause complete loss of vision.
The incubation period for the development of heartworm disease is several years. A person can be infected by mosquito bites that transmit the eggs of parasites to sick dogs and cats.
A seal grows on the skin, accompanied by pain, unbearable itching and hyperemia. The seal can grow to the size of an average egg inhabited by a coiled helminth.
Basically, the parasite lives in the skin, but sometimes it can get into the eye, which leads to vision damage and vision loss.
In order not to get infected with this type of worm, you must fight mosquitoes with all possible methods and use repellents in everyday life.
How to get rid of subcutaneous parasites?
The fight against worms that develop under the skin is based on the use of surface methods and methods of medicine, as well as on surgical operations.
Antiparasitic therapy for each type of helminth can be presented in the form of a table:
| Type of helminthiasis | Applied methods |
|---|---|
| Filariasis | Anthelmintic drug to treat filariasis. In severe cases, surgery. |
| Schistosomiasis | Antimony and surgical techniques are used. At the same time, it is necessary to restore the affected organs. |
| Dracunculiasis | Surgical neat removal of worms. |
| Scabies | Topical medications: salicylate ointments and sulfur soap; aqueous soap suspension; hydrochloric acid solution for 1 week. Immunological preparations. Thorough disinfection of the patient's clothing and household items. Antibiotics are sometimes used. |
| Demodectic mange | External means are used: camphor alcohol, as well as thorough cosmetic care (cleansing, masks, peels), the use of hyaluronic acid, alginates. Immunostimulants, vitamin complexes, anti-inflammatory drugs are used. Be sure to treat the accompanying pathologies of disorders of the digestive tract and metabolism. A healthy diet and physical therapy are essential. |
| Heartworm disease | Surgical treatment. You may need to remove your eyeball. |
In most cases, subcutaneous types of helminths can be solved thanks to surgery and intensive chemotherapy treatment.
Surface treatment
Surface methods are used to combat helminths living in the epidermis (for example, scabies and demodicosis).
External antiparasitic drugs are rubbed into the skin with scabies. These medications are rubbed all over the body at night. The course lasts 2 weeks. Persons who have been in contact with an infected person are advised to perform the same procedures.
In demodectic mange, suspensions, ointments, solutions, gels, peels, cryotherapy are used, which reduce sebum secretion, deny food and reduce the negative effects of parasites.
In other types of helminths, external manifestations are removed with the help of ointments with steroids and antibiotics.
All the fats that the doctors have specially chosen alleviate the inflammation, deprive the parasites of motor activity and kill them.
Local procedures must be applied in moderation, avoiding skin damage, in order not to disturb the acid-base balance and to exclude the binding of pathogenic microbes to the pathology.
Bitan! When you start a course of therapy at a hot temperature, it is necessary to wash the laundry and warm the pillows in the strong sun.
Medications
Each type of helminth has its own medicine prescribed by a doctor, according to the stage of the disease.
Some drugs completely kill parasites, others immobilize them and prevent reproduction.
When the helminth dies, the person may feel signs of intoxication - headache, nausea, vomiting, so the medications are carefully selected. Enterosorbent intake is allowed.
Major diseases are necessarily treated by pathologies of other organs. Symptomatic therapy is used.
Surgical methods
Surgeon's intervention is necessary to remove the parasite through an incision.
The operation is usually performed under local anesthesia. The surgeon must be a virtuoso and a master of his craft, so that when removing the helminth, he completely removes it, without dividing it into parts.
Postoperative rehabilitation methods include therapy with antibacterial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as antiparasitic drugs.
Prevention of helminthiasis infection
With caution, it is quite possible to prevent a subcutaneous worm from entering the body.
Necessary:
- undergo annual medical examinations;
- consult a doctor for various types of ailments;
- wash your hands well after going to public places and tactile contact with strangers and wanderers;
- boil raw water and do not drink it from natural sources;
- do not swim in standing water bodies, especially in hot countries;
- to fight blood-sucking insects with repellents and protective devices;
- perform routine and general cleaning of the house and maintain order.
When traveling to epidemiologically dangerous countries, you must follow safety precautions and be sure to find out all the information on how to protect yourself while traveling.
It is necessary to improve immunity by leading a healthy lifestyle, quality nutrition, hardening and taking vitamin complexes several times a year.
It takes patience and effort to fight subcutaneous parasites. If all medical regulations are followed, the person will fully recover.