Unfortunately, parasites can live and feed not only on a person's internal organs, but also penetrate the skin. This causes a number of diseases that have their own specifics. It is important to diagnose the cause of the unpleasant symptoms in time and start treatment before the parasitic worms cause great damage to the body. Most of the parasites that live under the skin can only be infected in the tropics: swimming in a stagnant pond, drinking unboiled water or falling victim to a blood-sucking insect. But some individuals "settle" in their bodies without leaving home.
Varieties of diseases and parasites
Medicine distinguishes a number of diseases, the diagnosis of which shows subcutaneous worms in humans.
- Cysticercosis. Its causes are the larvae of pig tapeworms. Most often they enter the body with undigested water or food. These worms are localized in the internal organs, eyes, brain, muscles and under the skin (observed on the shoulders, palms, chest). Such parasites can live in a person for years, under the epidermis thickenings and swellings are formed, which over time thicken. The diagnosis is slightly facilitated by urticaria, which is constantly manifested by skin rashes.
- schistosomiasis. This disease is provoked by helminths that live in the waters of Africa and Asia. Worms affect the genitourinary system and skin. The main symptoms are itching, rash, dermatitis, profuse night sweats, kidney damage, enlarged liver.
- Filariasis. These are filamentous nematodes living 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 provokes a number of skin pathologies: ulcers, eczema, nodules, papules, rashes. If a person does not pay attention to constant headaches, drowsiness, sleep disorders and general weakness, complications can develop in the form of osteoarthritis, glaucoma, cataracts.
- Scabies. Half a century ago, scabies mites were quite common. It settles in the deep layers of the epithelium, feeds on it and lays eggs there. The female parasite lives for about two months, but manages to lay several dozen eggs under the skin. The tick pierces passages in the epithelium and this provokes severe itching. Places of localization - folds on the body, sides of the thighs, mammary glands, armpits, genitals and hair. Human skin is covered with blisters, pimples, boils and other complications.
- Heartworm disease. These are parasites that can exist not only subcutaneously, but also affect the eyeball. The females of these worms reach a length of 30 cm, and the males - up to 10. Carriers of worms of this species are dogs and cats, and by biting them, mosquitoes transmit larvae of microfilariae to humans. In this case, the development of an adult in the body can take years. According to statistics, most of the removal of the eyeballs falls on the diagnosis of heartworm, after total deterioration of vision, to blindness. Seals form under the skin that itch, turn red and can reach the size of an egg. It is in them that the adult worm is located.
- Draculosis (guinea worm). These are roundworms up to 120 centimeters long. More common in tropical climates. In addition to humans, cats and dogs are also affected. You can get infected with them by drinking unboiled water, swimming in polluted water. Once in the body in the form of a larva, the worm reaches adulthood after only one year of life in humans. Most often the feet suffer from this disease: they are those who are prone to such complications as the development of contractures, inflammation of the joints. In addition, the presence of sea worms inside a person is fraught with gangrene and blood poisoning.
- hookworm disease. The causative worms live in places with tropical and subtropical climates. Hookworms are introduced under the skin of a person through the slightest damage to the skin (usually the legs) and there they remain parasitic. The disease manifests itself with symptoms such as severe itching, sometimes there is a cough, anemia, there are signs of damage to internal organs.
- Demodectic mange. This is one of the most common dermatological diseases. Occurs due to the penetration of the subcutaneous tick. It is not a helminthic disease, but the pest also lives in the layers of the epidermis (meibomian ducts and sebaceous glands). Symptoms of parasites: profuse, pronounced acne 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 humans for several years before "rejoicing" in symptoms. Therefore, at the time of detection, parasites already have time tocause damage to health.
Because the clinical picture of worms and other subcutaneous inhabitants is quite ambiguous and many symptoms occur separately, there is usually no clear list of signs. There are a number of indicators that may indicate subcutaneous parasites: constant itching, skin irritation, seals of various sizes, rash, small blisters on the surface of the epithelium, indirectly - sleep disorders, fatigue. To understand the etiology of such manifestations and to rule out helminth infestation, you should visit a number of specialists, including:
- dermatologist;
- neurologist;
- allergist;
- infectious disease specialist;
- psychologist (if previous specialists have not found pathologies in their profile).
The diagnosis is made in several ways, depending on the symptoms:
- blood test for antigens;
- examination of a sample of the epidermis;
- smear;
- making a secret;
- scraping.
It is these indicators that can detect the presence or absence of parasites on a person's skin.
Traditional methods of pest control
Treatment directly depends on the type of parasitic worm. In each case, appropriate therapy is selected, taking into account the age and stage of neglect of the problem. Most drugs are quite toxic not only to the worm but also to the human body.
- to get rid of dracunculiasis is possible only through surgery;
- the scabies parasite is effectively expelled from hydrochloric acid and sulfur soap;
- in schistosomiasis will help antimony drug;
- the body is freed from demodicosis through a cosmetic line for facial skin care (special soap for washing, cream).
In addition to traditional medical treatment, the patient should tighten hygiene procedures, carefully monitor the cleanliness of the body, premises, clothing and avoid unnecessary contact with people. In some cases you will need diet food, skin care cosmetics.
Prevention of subcutaneous worms
With helminth infestations you have to be extremely careful because it is quite easy to house parasites in the body and it can take years for proper diagnosis and treatment.
To minimize the risk of subcutaneous worm infection, doctors advise you to remember the following rules:
- you must be vaccinated before traveling to countries with tropical climates;
- always follow the rules of hygiene: wash your hands after contact with a large number of people, money, after going to the toilet, before eating;
- women should not use foreign cosmetics, as there is a high risk of introducing parasite larvae (or ticks) on their skin;
- fruits and vegetables should be washed well before use, but it is better to pour boiling water, to subject the meat to prolonged thermal effects, to boil drinking water;
- carefully treat any skin damage with antiseptics, especially in the tropics;
- do not swim in dirty and dubious waters.
If the parasites have settled under the skin, this is a reason to contact a dermatologist as soon as possible. He will be able to determine the type of worm and prescribe adequate treatment. In most cases, the patient waits for conservative therapy, including taking anthelmintic drugs and other drugs that relieve the symptoms of the disease in humans.