There are many protozoa that can only exist in the host's body.For most of them, the main carrier is people.And once they have penetrated 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 at the first signs of infection, you should consult a doctor.
Types of parasites that live under the skin
Protozoans, the main carriers of which are humans, are divided into two main groups:
- Wine
- Subcutaneously.
The first includes insects such as lice, fleas, bedbugs.They live in human hair and skin, feed on his blood, and can carry various dangerous diseases.Nevertheless, skin parasites are less dangerous than subcutaneous ones.Living in the human skin, the latter not only feed on its cells, but also reproduce their offspring in it.Therefore, the fight against skin parasites is much more difficult in humans than against skin parasites.
There are quite a lot of protozoa and intestinal worms living under the human skin, which can lead to the development of various diseases, such as:
- Filariasis
- Dracunculiasis
- Schistosomiasis
- Hookworm disease
- Cysticercosis
- Scabies.
And the most unpleasant thing about this is that it is often very difficult to make a correct diagnosis, since the symptoms of such diseases often resemble a general allergic reaction.Consequently, the treatment of dermatoses takes a very long time.
In order to have an idea of what subcutaneous parasites a person may have and how they manifest, let's consider the signs of infection with each of the above.
Filariasis
This species does not live in our country, but it can easily become infected when visiting Africa, South America and Asia.Infection occurs when a person is bitten by a blood-sucking insect, such as a mosquito.As for the incubation period, it can reach 7 years for this type of dermatosis.
The initial symptoms of this parasitic skin disease are often mild fever and hives, so they are often overlooked.
And they begin to appear on the skin only after a few years:
- Ulcers
- Warts
- Knots
- Papules.
Eczema may develop over time.In some cases, they may be accompanied by mild malaise, headache and fever, which suggests that the patient is infected with filariasis.This disease is caused by nematodes.
But if timely measures are not taken, parasitic skin diseases can lead to complications in the form of arthrosis and vision problems.
Using mosquito repellent helps to avoid infection.If you treat the exposed skin with it and thus protect yourself from the bites of blood-sucking insects, you will protect yourself from filariasis infection.
Dracunculiasis
This disease is caused by round subcutaneous helminths - guinea worms.Adult individuals of parasites living under the human skin can exceed one meter.The peculiarity of this species is that not only people, but also domestic animals: cats and dogs can serve as carriers for them.These parasites are most often found in Central Asia.
Guinea worm larvae enter the human body by drinking raw, untreated water.After 2 weeks, they begin their journey in the host's body, and after 1.5 months they penetrate into the subcutaneous areas.The larva develops into an adult only after one year.
The symptoms of a marine worm infection are difficult to confuse with another disease.Initially, an elongated, swollen area appears on the skin in the leg area, which resembles a small lace.Then a bubble forms in its place, inside which there are helminth eggs.And when the water gets in, it explodes, allowing new larvae to emerge into the environment.
If the treatment of the disease is not started in time, complications appear in the form of:
- Arthritis
- Gangrene
- Sepsis caused by abscesses forming on the skin.
As for the fight against the human skin parasite, it consists of removing it from the skin tissue.Moreover, this process can take several days if a large individual is parasitizing the patient's body.The only condition is that you don't break the worm.
To avoid infection with dracunculiasis, 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 you can get infected by swimming in them.This type of helminth parasitizes not only the human skin, but also the urinary organs.In the initial stages of development, the disease manifests itself in the form of rashes, itching and dermatitis.After this, signs of kidney damage appear and the liver may become enlarged.
This disease is treated with antimony-based drugs.But it is better to avoid infection by following simple rules: avoid swimming in stagnant water and drink only boiled water.
Hookworm disease
These parasites enter the skin through cracks on the soles of feet or wounds on other parts of the body.But most often they still affect the lower limbs and stay there without migrating throughout the body.
Ankylostomiasis is manifested by the following symptoms:
- severe itching in the place where the parasite is located;
- changes in the skin;
- the appearance of anemia.
The most unpleasant thing about the infection is the fact that it is quite difficult to treat this disease, and it is not always possible to achieve a positive result.
Cysticercosis
The larvae of the pig tapeworm can also parasitize under the human skin.The main habitats of these parasites in the human body are the internal organs, where they enter with food or water contaminated with helminths.But they still often develop under the skin and can live there for years.
Symptoms of cysticercosis infection include swelling and new growths in the area where the parasite has invaded.They become denser over time.In rare cases, the infection may be accompanied by hives.
The only way to get rid of them is through surgery and taking anti-parasitic 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 a microscopic mange mite penetrating under the skin.Moreover, it likes to settle in the deep layers of the skin, where it feeds on the epidermis and lays its eggs in it.
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 and soles of the feet.But it can also be found on the mammary glands and genitals.
Infection with this parasite leads to the development of scabies, which is indicated by obvious signs such as visible furrows, crusting over scratched areas, rashes and itching that worsens at night.If not treated immediately, scabies can lead to dermatitis and eczema, which worsen in the fall.
This disease is treated with sulfur ointment or hydrochloric acid solution and the use of sulfur soap.In case of extensive changes, antibiotics can be prescribed.However, to avoid re-infection, the patient's bedding and clothes should be boiled and ironed on both sides with a hot iron.Therefore, it is easier to maintain personal hygiene and avoid contact with an infected person - this will help you not to get sick.
Detection and diagnosis of subcutaneous parasites
Most often, you can tell visually whether a person is infected or not.In any case, the patient is prescribed an examination that helps to more accurately determine the location of the lesion and the number of parasites.
Parasitic skin diseases are diagnosed:
- Scraping and removing smears from the mucous membrane;
- A blood test to check for the presence of antibodies.
And only after receiving all the results, the doctor can determine the treatment regimen and prescribe drugs that can destroy the parasite.
Treatment options depend on the type of disease.In some cases, surgery may even be necessary.But most often it can be achieved through the use of various drugs.
Disease prevention
Since some types of worms can take several years to be removed from the human body, it is easier to prevent parasitic skin diseases.To do this, it is necessary to avoid the consumption of raw water, poorly cooked meat products and close contact with infected people.