Unfortunately, parasites can live and feed not only in a person's internal organs, but also penetrate under 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 serious harm to the body. Most parasites that live under the skin can only become infected in tropical latitudes: swimming in a stagnant pond, drinking unboiled water, or becoming the victim of a bloodsucking insect. But some individuals "settle" in their body without leaving home.
Variety of diseases and parasites
Medicine distinguishes a number of diseases, the diagnosis of which indicates subcutaneous worms in humans.
- Cysticercosis. Its causative agents are pig tapeworm larvae. Most often they enter the body with unboiled water or food. These worms are localized in the internal organs, eyes, brain, muscles and under the skin (they are observed on the shoulders, palms, chest). Such parasites can live in a person for years, thickening and swelling form under the epidermis, which thickens over time. Diagnosis is slightly facilitated by urticaria, which is constantly manifested by skin rashes.
- Schistosomiasis. This disease is caused by helminths that live in the waters of Africa and Asia. Worms affect the genitourinary system and the skin. The main symptoms are itching, rash, dermatitis, profuse night sweats, kidney damage, enlarged liver.
- Filariasis. These are filiform nematodes that live in South America, Asia and Africa. They are spread by bloodsucking insects. The disease develops for a long time (up to seven years), but causes a number of skin pathologies: ulcers, eczema, nodes, papules, rashes. If a person does not pay attention to constant headaches, drowsiness, sleep disturbances and general weakness, complications in the form of osteoarthritis, glaucoma, cataracts can develop.
- Scabies. The scabies mite half a century ago was quite common. It settles in the deep layers of the epithelium, feeding on it and laying eggs there. The female parasite lives for about two months, but she manages to lay several dozen eggs under the skin. The tick breaks the passages in the epithelium and this is what causes severe itching. Locations of localization: folds on the body, sides of the thighs, mammary glands, armpits, genitals and hair. Human skin is covered with rashes, pimples, boils, and other complications occur.
- Dirofillaria. These are parasites that can exist not only subcutaneously, but also affect the eyeball. The females of these worms reach a length of up to 30 cm, and the males - up to 10. The carriers of worms of this species are dogs and cats, and by biting them, mosquitoes carry the 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 precisely on the diagnosis of heartworm, after a total deterioration of vision, up to blindness. Seals form under the skin, which itches, turns red, and can grow to the size of an egg. It is in them that the adult worm is found.
- Dracunculosis (Guinea worm). These are round worms, reaching a length of up to 120 centimeters. More common in tropical climates. In addition to humans, dogs and cats are also affected. You can get infected with them by drinking unboiled water, swimming in polluted reservoirs. Once in the body in the form of a larva, the worm reaches adulthood only after a year of life in a person. Most often, the legs suffer from this disease: they are those prone to complications such as the development of contractures, inflammation of the joints. In addition, the presence of the Guinea worm inside a person is fraught with gangrene and blood poisoning.
- Ankylostomiasis. The agents that cause the worms live in places with tropical and subtropical climate. Hookworms are introduced under a person's skin through minimal damage to the skin (usually the legs) and remain there to parasitize. The disease is manifested by symptoms such as severe itching, sometimes there is cough, anemia, there are signs of damage to internal organs.
- Demodicosis. This is one of the most common dermatological disorders. It occurs due to the penetration of the causative agent of the subcutaneous tick. This is a non-helminth disease, but the parasite also lives in the layers of the epidermis (in the meibomian ducts and in the sebaceous glands). Symptoms of parasites: profuse and pronounced acne on the face, cheeks, forehead and around the eyes, sometimes there is a loss of eyelashes.
Diagnosis, symptoms and signs
If subcutaneous worms and parasites are suspected, it is necessary to see a doctor as soon as possible, because some individuals live in people for several years before "pleasure" with the symptoms. Therefore, by the time of detection, parasites already have time to cause harm to health.
Since the clinical picture of worms and other subcutaneous inhabitants is quite ambiguous and many symptoms appear individually, there is usually no single list of signs. There are a number of indicators that can indicate subcutaneous parasites: constant itching, skin irritation, seals of various sizes, rashes, small blisters on the surface of the epithelium, indirectly - sleep disturbances, fatigue. To find out the etiology of such manifestations and exclude helminthic invasion, it is necessary to visit a number of specialists, including:
- dermatologist;
- neuropathologist;
- allergist;
- infectious disease specialist;
- psychologist (if previous specialists did not find pathologies in their profile).
Diagnosis occurs in several ways, depending on the symptoms:
- blood test for antigens;
- examination of the epidermis sample;
- drool;
- take a secret;
- scrape.
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 individual case, an appropriate therapy is selected, taking into account the age and stage of abandonment of the problem. Most drugs are quite toxic not only to the worm, but also to the human body.
- getting rid of dracunculiasis is possible only through surgery;
- the scabies parasite is effectively excreted by hydrochloric acid and sulfuric soap;
- with schistosomiasis, an antimony drug will help;
- the body is relieved of demodicosis by a cosmetic line for facial skin care (special soap for washing, cream).
Along with traditional drug treatment, the patient must strengthen 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 helminthic invasions, you need to be extremely careful, as it is quite simple to establish parasites in the body and it may take years for proper diagnosis and treatment.
In order to minimize the risk of subcutaneous worm infection, doctors recommend remembering the following rules:
- before traveling to countries with a tropical climate it is necessary to be vaccinated;
- 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 someone else's cosmetics, as there is a high risk of carrying parasite larvae (or a tick) on their skin;
- fruits and vegetables should be washed thoroughly before use, but it is better to pour boiling water over it, subject the meat to prolonged thermal effects, boil water for drinking;
- carefully treat any skin damage with antiseptics, especially in the tropics;
- do not swim in dirty and dubious waters.
If parasites have lodged under the skin, this is a reason to contact a dermatologist as soon as possible. She will be able to determine the type of worm and prescribe adequate treatment. In most cases, the patient is waiting for conservative therapy, including taking anthelmintic drugs and other drugs that relieve the symptoms of the disease in humans.