There are a number of protozoa that can only exist in the host's body.For most of them, the main carrier is people.And having penetrated the human body, these creatures can live anywhere, but subcutaneous parasites are considered the most common.They are the ones that cause the most unpleasant moments, including the development of complications, so at the first signs of infection, it is worth consulting a doctor.
Types of parasites that live under the skin.
Protozoa, whose main carrier is humans, are divided into two main groups:
- cutaneous
- Subcutaneous.
The first includes insects such as lice, fleas and bed bugs.They live in human hair and skin, feed on their blood and are capable of transmitting various dangerous diseases.But still, cutaneous parasites are considered less dangerous than subcutaneous ones.The latter, which live in human skin, not only feed on its cells, but also give birth to their young inside it.Therefore, fighting skin parasites in humans is much more difficult than fighting them.
A large number of protozoa and helminths live under the human skin, which can cause 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 these diseases often resemble a common allergic reaction.Consequently, the treatment of dermatoses takes a long time.
To give you an idea of what subcutaneous parasites a person may have and how they manifest, let's consider the signs of infection of each of the above.
filariasis
This species does not live in our country, but it is easy to 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.Regarding the incubation period, for this type of dermatosis it can reach 7 years.
The initial symptoms of this parasitic skin disease usually include mild fever and hives, so they are often ignored.
And only after a few years the following begin to appear on the skin:
- Ulcers
- Warts
- Nodules
- Papules.
Over time, eczema can develop.In some cases they may be accompanied by slight discomfort, headaches and fever, leading to the conclusion that the patient has contracted filariasis.This disease is caused by filamentous nematodes.
But if measures are not taken in time, parasitic skin diseases can cause complications in the form of osteoarthritis and vision problems.
Using mosquito repellent will help avoid infections.By treating exposed skin with it and thus protecting yourself from the bites of blood-sucking insects, you will protect yourself from filariasis infection.
dracunculiasis
This disease is caused by round subcutaneous helminths - the Guinea worm.Adults of these parasites that live under human skin can reach a length of more than one meter.The peculiarity of this species is that not only humans, but also pets: cats and dogs can serve as carriers for them.These parasites are most commonly found in Central Asia.
Guinea worm larvae enter the human body by eating raw, untreated water.After 2 weeks they begin their journey through the host's body and after 1.5 months they penetrate the subcutaneous areas.The larva will become an adult only after a year.
The symptoms of guinea worm infection are difficult to confuse with another disease.Initially, an elongated, swollen area appears on the skin of the leg area, resembling a small cord.Then a bubble forms in its place, inside which helminth eggs are found.And when water enters, it explodes, allowing new larvae to emerge into the environment.
If the treatment of the disease is not started on time, complications appear in the form of:
- Joint inflammation
- Gangrene
- Sepsis, which is caused by abscesses forming in the skin.
As for the fight against this human skin parasite, it consists of eliminating it from the skin tissue.Additionally, this process can last several days if a large individual parasitizes the patient's body.The only condition is not to break the worm.
To avoid infection with dracunculiasis, it is necessary to drink only disinfected water and not swim in open water.
schistosomiasis
This disease is also caused by helminths.They live in waters in Asia and Africa, so swimming in them runs the risk of becoming infected.This type of helminth parasitizes not only human skin, but also genitourinary organs.At the initial stage of development, the disease manifests itself as skin rashes, itching and dermatitis.Later, signs of kidney damage appear and the liver may enlarge.
This disease is treated with antimony-based medications.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 penetrate the skin through cracks in the soles of the feet or wounds in other parts of the body.But most often they still affect the lower extremities and remain there, without migrating throughout the body.
Hookworm is expressed by the following symptoms:
- severe itching at the site where the parasite is located;
- skin changes;
- the appearance of anemia.
The most unpleasant thing about infection is the fact that this disease is quite difficult to treat and it is not always possible to achieve a positive result.
Cysticercosis
Pig tapeworm larvae can also parasitize under human skin.The main habitat of these parasites in the human body is the internal organs, where they penetrate with food or water contaminated with helminths.But cases of development under the skin are still common, and they can live there for years.
Symptoms of cysticercosis infection are swelling and new growths in the area where the parasite has penetrated.Over time they become denser.In rare cases, the infection may be accompanied by hives.
The only way to get rid of them is through surgery and taking antiparasitic medications.
scabies
Today this disease is quite rare, but literally 50 years ago it was one of the most common among those caused by parasites.Its appearance is due to the penetration of a microscopic scabies mite under the skin of a person.In addition, it prefers to settle in the deep layers of the skin, where it feeds on the epithelium and lays 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 in the mammary glands and genitals.
Infection with this parasite leads to the development of scabies, which is manifested by obvious signs, such as clearly visible passages, scabs in places where it is scratched, skin rashes and itching that worsens at night.If not treated in time, scabies can lead to the development of dermatitis and eczema, which worsen in autumn.
This disease is treated with sulfur ointment or hydrochloric acid solution and the use of sulfur soap.For extensive injuries, antibiotics may be prescribed.But to avoid reinfection, it is necessary to boil the patient's bed linen and iron it with a hot iron on both sides.Therefore, it is easier to maintain personal hygiene and avoid contact with an infected person;This will help you not get sick.
Detection and diagnosis of subcutaneous parasites.
In most cases, it is possible to determine visually whether a person is infected or not.However, in any case, the patient will be prescribed an examination that will help more accurately determine the location of the lesion and the number of parasites.
Parasitic skin diseases are diagnosed:
- Take a scraping and smear of the mucous membrane;
- A blood test to check for the presence of antibodies.
And only after receiving all the results can the doctor determine a treatment regimen and prescribe medications that can destroy the parasite.
Treatment options depend on the type of disease.In some cases, surgery may even be necessary.But most of the time it is possible to solve it by using various medications.
Disease prevention
Since the elimination of some types of helminths from the human body can take several years, it is easier to prevent parasitic skin diseases.To do this, it is necessary to avoid drinking raw water, poorly fried meat products and close contact with infected people.