There are many protozoa that can only exist in the body of the host. For most of them, the main carrier is people. And once they have invaded the human body, these creatures can live anywhere, but subcutaneous parasites are the most common. They cause the most unpleasant moments, including the development of complications, so you should see a doctor at the first signs of infection.
Types of parasites living under the skin
The simplest, whose main carrier is a person, can be divided into two main groups:
- Skin
- Subcutaneous.
The first contains insects such as: lice, fleas, bugs. They live in the hair and skin of a person, they feed on their blood, and they can carry various dangerous diseases. Nevertheless, skin parasites are less dangerous than subcutaneous ones. The latter, living in human skin, not only feed on its cells but also reproduce their offspring in it. Therefore, it is much more difficult to cope with skin parasites in humans than with skin parasites.
There are many protozoa and intestinal worms that live under the human skin, which can lead to various diseases, such as
- Filariasis
- Dracunculiasis
- Schistosomiasis
- Ankylostomiasis
- Cysticercosis
- Scabies.
And the most unpleasant thing about this is that it is often very difficult to make a correct diagnosis, as the symptoms of such diseases often resemble a normal allergic reaction. Consequently, the treatment of dermatoses takes a very long time.
In order to have an idea of what subcutaneous parasites a person might have and how they manifest themselves, consider the signs of infection with each of the above.
Filariasis
This species does not live in Hungary, but it can easily become infected when traveling in Africa, South America and Asia. An infection occurs when a person is bitten by a blood-sucking insect, such as a mosquito. As for the incubation time, in these types of dermatoses it can reach 7 years.
The initial symptoms of this parasitic skin disease are often mild fever and hives and are often overlooked.
And it only starts to appear on the skin in a few years:
- ulcers
- Warts
- knots
- papules.
Over time, eczema can develop. In some cases, they may be accompanied by mild malaise, headache, fever, from which it can be concluded that the patient suffered from filariasis. This disease is caused by nematodes.
But if not taken in time, parasitic skin diseases can lead to complications in the form of arthrosis and vision problems.
Using mosquito repellents will help prevent infection. By treating open areas of the skin with it and thus protecting yourself from biting blood-sucking insects, you are protecting yourself from filariasis infection.
Dracunculiasis
This disease is caused by round subcutaneous helminths - sea worms. Adult animals living under human skin can exceed one meter. The characteristic of this species is that not only one person can serve as a carrier, but also pets: cats, dogs. These parasites are most commonly found in Central Asia.
The larvae of the Guinean worm enter the human body by consuming raw, untreated water. After 2 weeks, they begin the journey through the body of the carrier, and after 1. 5 months, they penetrate the subcutaneous regions. The larvae develop in adulthood only after one year.
The symptoms of rishta infection are difficult to confuse with another disease. Initially, an elongated, swollen area appears on the skin in the area of the legs, reminiscent of a small lace. A bubble is then formed in its place, inside which are the eggs of the helminth. And when the water enters, it explodes, allowing new larvae to enter the environment.
If you do not start treating the disease in time, the complications will take the form of:
- Arthritis
- Gangrene
- Sepsis caused by abscesses on the skin.
As for the fight against the human skin parasite, it is its removal from skin tissues. In addition, this process can take several days if a large individual parasitizes the patient's body. The only condition is not to break the worm.
To avoid dracunculiasis infection, drink only disinfected water and do not swim in open water.
Schistosomiasis
This disease is also caused by helminths. They live in the waters of Asia and Africa, so swimming in them puts them at risk of infection. This type of worm parasitizes not only the human skin but also the urinary tract. In the initial stages of development, the disease manifests itself with rashes, itching and dermatitis. In the future, there will be signs of kidney damage and the liver may grow.
This disease is treated with antimony-based drugs. But it is better to avoid infection by following simple rules: refuse to bathe in stagnant water and use only boiled water.
Ankylostomiasis
These parasites enter the skin through cracks in the soles of the feet or wounds in other parts of the body. But most often they still touch the lower limbs and stay there without migrating through the body.
Ankylostomidosis is manifested by the following symptoms:
- severe itching at the site where the parasite is located;
- change in the skin;
- the appearance of anemia.
The most unpleasant thing about the infection is the fact that this disease is quite difficult to treat and a positive result cannot always be achieved.
Cysticercosis
Tapeworm larvae can also parasitize under human skin. The main habitats of these parasites in the human body are the internal organs, which are ingested by food or water infected with helminths. But cases of subcutaneous development are still uncommon and can last for years.
Symptoms of cysticercosis infection include swelling and tumors at the site where the parasite has invaded. They thicken over time. In rare cases, the infection may be accompanied by hives.
The only way to get rid of them is to have surgery in the complex and take antiparasitic drugs.
Scabies
Today, this disease is quite rare, but literally 50 years ago it was one of the most common diseases caused by parasites. Its appearance is caused by the penetration of a scabies mite under the skin of a person of microscopic size. Moreover, it prefers to settle in the deep layers of the skin, where it feeds from the epidermis and lays eggs there.
The life cycle of an adult does not exceed two months. But during this time, the female manages to lay more than a dozen eggs. Most often, the tick affects the hands, folds, armpits, soles. But it is also found on the mammary glands and genitals.
Infection with this parasite leads to the formation of scabies, which is defined by obvious signs such as clearly visible passages, bark at the site of scratching, rash, itching, which intensifies at night. If treated early, scabies can lead to dermatitis and eczema, which worsens in the fall.
Such a disease is treated with a sulfuric acid ointment or hydrochloric acid solution and the use of sulfuric acid soap. Antibiotics may be prescribed for extensive lesions. But to avoid re-infection, the patient’s bedding and clothing should be boiled and ironed with a hot iron on both sides. This makes it easier to maintain personal hygiene and avoid contact with those infected - this will help you stay sick.
Identification and diagnosis of subcutaneous parasites
Most often, you can visually determine if a person is infected or not. However, in each case, the patient is assigned to an examination to help more accurately determine the location of the lesion and the number of parasites.
Parasitic skin diseases are diagnosed:
- Scraping and smearing of mucous membranes;
- Blood test for the presence of antibodies.
And only after all the results are received can the doctor determine the treatment regimen and prescribe medications that can kill the parasite.
Treatment methods depend on the type of disease. In some cases, surgery may even be needed. But most often you can thrive by using different medications.
Disease prevention
Because it can take years to remove certain types of worms from the human body, it is easier to prevent parasitic skin diseases. To do this, avoid consuming raw water, undercooked meat products, and close contact with infected people.