Worms are subcutaneous parasites that live in the human body. They feed on host cells and release toxic substances. Infection with parasites can cause serious illness and in the worst case, death. Depending on the type of worm, the position of their dislocation is different. Some reproduce in the organs, and some live under the human skin, triggering the development of skin diseases.
Types of subcutaneous parasites and methods of infection
Parasitic skin diseases are not a common pathological type. Nevertheless, there are still case reports. They are most likely after visiting Asian regions and countries with hot climates. Parasites in the human body can cause allergic reactions, accompanied by unbearable itching.
In medicine, worms are divided into two types:
- Subcutaneously. Worms are difficult to diagnose. After the infection and maturity stage, the parasites will move in the human body. The most common types of subcutaneous worms are: iron nematode, scabies mite, silkworm, rishta.
- Genuine Leather. After contact with human skin, parasites will migrate to different parts of the body. As a result of skin parasite infection, the pancreas will become inflamed, scaly lichen, eczema, and diabetes may appear.
Common cases include tick infections in the sebaceous glands. It is characterized by an exit to the epidermal surface during the day to transport secretions from the skin duct.
Filariasis
Filariasis is when people are defeated by nematode parasites. It exists in countries in Asia and places with tropical climates. The most likely method of infection is when visiting a resort area. The main danger of parasites is the long incubation period. In the absence of symptoms, worms can survive under the skin for 5 to 7 years. Pests are characterized by excessive life activities, which can cause symptoms of poisoning in patients.
In the early stages, the disease has signs of urticaria. As the worms grow and multiply, there will be vision loss, mobile seal formation, and fever. In the later stages, the location of the worm is determined with the naked eye.
Dracunculiasis
Dracunculiasis is a disease caused by infection of subcutaneous worms. They can live in open waters. Human infections can occur when drinking unproven raw water during travel. In an infected person, the larvae are located below the upper layer of the epidermis. Even the presence of a parasite without proper treatment can lead to death. In world practice, adults with a length of 100 cm have been registered. They can occupy the entire space of the stomach and liver, or block the airway.
In most cases, worms are located on the lower limbs of people.
The main symptoms of the disease include:
- A rash on the leg;
- Formation of liquid-filled blisters;
- Unbearable itching;
- The appearance of a lump;
- Suppuration is formed.
The main treatment is to remove the parasites from the body through surgery.
Schistosomiasis
This disease causes many types of worms found in water bodies. Infection occurs when swimming in rivers and lakes in Africa and Asia. Another form of infection is untested drinking water. It is the source of the spread of parasite eggs and larvae. Initially, the worm is located under the epidermis. An allergic rash may appear on the skin, accompanied by itching. As the disease progresses, the larvae penetrate deep into the body. The patient's kidneys and liver were severely affected. This disease is accompanied by night fever and profuse sweating. Enlarged liver and deformed kidneys can help diagnose infections.
Cysticercosis
Cysticercosis is a disease related to human infection with pork tapeworm. This parasite belongs to the tenacious category and lives in Asian countries. For the development of an adult in the human body, it is sufficient to penetrate 1 larva or part of a worm. Parasites are highly regenerative, which complicates the treatment process.
The main signs of damage include hives, itching, general weakness, and pain. Usually, worms are located under the skin, muscles, eyes, internal organs, and brain. During adult development, nodules or indurations form under the skin. Over time, it can increase, and it causes inconvenience. The main breeding sites of pork tapeworm are the shoulders, chest, arms, palms and other parts.
Heartworm
The main method of worm infestation is the invasion of larvae through insect bites or contact with animals. The temporary carriers of larvae are cats and dogs, with mosquitoes as carriers. The female is 30 cm long and the male is 10 cm long.
The development of parasites occurs under the upper layer of the epidermis.
After a mosquito bites, the eggs will remain on the human skin. The hatched larva penetrates the wounded part of the skin and penetrates into the skin. There, she went through all stages of growth. This disease is accompanied by unbearable itching. Seals appear in the worm's location area. The patient feels the movement of the adult under the skin. If you are affected by worms, you may lose your eyesight.
The treatment of worms is carried out by surgical methods. After the operation, the patient will be shown medicines to restore the skin and affected organs.
scabies
Scabies is a person infected with scabies mites. The disease gets its name from severe, unbearable itching all over the body. People will experience redness and spots where ticks are present.
Tick infection occurs through physical contact with an infected person or their personal belongings. The diagnosis is made through visual examination of the skin and laboratory tests.
At home, diagnosis can be done with iodine. When it comes in contact with the affected skin, the spider web becomes obvious-the path of the tick under the skin of the infected person.
The main symptoms of scabies include:
- Itching and redness of the skin;
- Liquid-filled blisters are formed when scratching the skin;
- Location of hand and joint disease.
The treatment of this disease is long and laborious. It is almost impossible to completely eliminate the parasites.
Demodex
Demodex is a human subcutaneous tick infection. They are located in the sebaceous glands of an infected person. In the initial stage, this disease can easily be confused with acne. As the mites multiply, the rash will expand and spread to the entire face. The eyelashes began to fall off.
The diagnosis of demodicosis is simple. To this end, visual inspections and extensive laboratory tests are performed. The treatment of this disease is long-term. In some cases, this will take several years. Tick infection occurs through direct contact with the patient and the use of personal belongings or cosmetics of the infected person. The unstable hormonal background and weakened immune system promote the successful reproduction of ticks.
Symptoms of the disease
Modern medicine distinguishes several types of subcutaneous parasites. They can cause the development of dermatitis and the destruction of internal organs. According to a person's pathogen, the symptoms appear in a special way. Nevertheless, there are some signs, and when they appear, it is advisable to consult an expert.
There are many signs you can learn about worms in your body:
- Exhausted;
- The temperature rises to 39°C;
- Skin itching of varying intensity;
- The appearance of a rash;
- Gastrointestinal discomfort;
- Forms a seal on the skin.
It is important to note that seeing a doctor as soon as possible will allow you to quickly clear the parasites under the human skin.
Diagnosis function
Subcutaneous parasites are difficult to diagnose. Therefore, it is necessary to consult an expert when suspecting a lesion for the first time. The complexity of diagnosis is directly related to the latent course of the disease. Basically, noticeable symptoms will not appear until a few years after failure, which can have a negative impact on health.
Many symptoms indicate worm invasion, but there are no general clinical manifestations. In cases where the skin area becomes red, persistent itching, and various seals appear on the skin, it is necessary to rule out the failure of the worm patient.
Visiting multiple experts will allow you to make the correct diagnosis:
- Dermatologist;
- Neuropathologist
- Allergy sufferers;
- Infectious disease specialist
- psychologist.
If no deviation is found under the guidance of other experts, a psychologist will be consulted.
In order to confirm the diagnosis, assign laboratory tests to patients:
- Blood antigen test;
- Check skin samples;
- smear;
- Secret research
- Scratch from the affected area.
The test results can detect subcutaneous parasites. If you have been to Asian countries or other tropical regions in the last six months before the onset of symptoms, you must explain this fact to your doctor.
The diagnosis of subcutaneous parasites requires an effective treatment plan. In this case, it is forbidden to use drugs or traditional medicine methods recommended by non-attending physicians. Violation of the treatment plan can lead to deterioration and poisoning of the body.
Effective treatment
In medical practice, there are two ways to treat parasites: drug therapy and surgical treatment. Depending on the complexity of the lesion, the doctor will use one method or a combination of both methods. The choice of treatment depends on the patient’s health risks and the characteristics of the parasite.
The choice of treatment is influenced by the following factors:
- The number of parasites in the patient;
- The worm's ability to regenerate;
- Reproduction rate
- The location of the parasite;
- The patient's allergic reaction;
- The severity of the disease;
- Possible or existing complications.
Medication includes taking a course of medication. The effect of the drug involves exposure in several directions:
- Destroy adults and larvae in the body and prevent their reproduction. For this, use anthelmintics.
- Remove inflammation and destroy the foci of infection. To this end, a course of antibiotic treatment was carried out.
- Speed up the elimination of toxins and eliminate allergic reactions. The patient was prescribed a course of antihistamines and glucocorticoids.
- Healing of the affected area of the skin. In order to accelerate the regeneration function of the epidermis, creams and ointments are used.
If serious complications occur and there are special locations for worms, surgical treatment of subcutaneous parasites is recommended. In the case where the body is known to be affected by only one person, this operation shows high efficiency. In most cases, surgical intervention is used for dracunculiasis. The internal fluid of the worm contains toxic substances that can cause anaphylactic shock. In this case, the overall extraction of the parasite is shown.
Prevention method
Human skin parasitic infections require long-term treatment. You can avoid this problem by taking the following precautions:
- Observe hygiene rules. Wash hands under running water with soap or antiseptic. Especially after contact with unfamiliar or stray animals. Antiseptics should be used to treat scratches, cuts and other skin injuries.
- Product processing. Fresh vegetables and fruits should be rinsed thoroughly under running water before use. It is recommended to heat fish, poultry and meat. Avoid eating raw or semi-raw meat.
- Use a proven water source. Water from unfamiliar sources must be treated. Open water bodies and springs deserve special attention.
- Routine vaccination. Before traveling to tropical countries, you must be vaccinated against major diseases.
- General use of makeup. Women should avoid sharing cosmetics, even with close friends.
- Swim in open water. Swimming in contaminated or untested waters is prohibited. In the hot season, priority should be given to water bodies that have passed water quality testing.
Taking responsibility for your own health and adhering to preventive measures can help prevent parasitic skin diseases.