There are some 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, and therefore, at the first signs of infection, you should see a doctor.
A type of parasite that lives under the skin
Protozoa, the main carrier of which is humans, are divided into two main groups:
- Leather
- Subcutaneous.
The first includes insects such as fleas, ticks, bugs.They live in human hair and skin, feed on his blood and are capable of carrying various dangerous diseases.Nevertheless, skin parasites are considered less dangerous than subcutaneous parasites.The latter, living in human skin, not only eats its cells, but also reproduces their children in them.Therefore, fighting skin parasites in humans is more difficult than fighting skin parasites.
Under the human skin there are quite a lot of protozoa and helminths that 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 making the correct diagnosis is often very difficult, because the symptoms of the disease often resemble a common allergic reaction.As a result, it takes a very long time to treat dermatosis.
So that you have an idea of what subcutaneous parasites a person can have and how they manifest themselves, let's consider the signs of infection with each of the above.
Filariasis
This species does not live in our country, but it is easily 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, for this type of dermatosis it can reach 7 years.
Early symptoms of this parasitic skin disease often include mild fever and itching, so they are often overlooked.
And only after a few years the following things begin to appear on the skin:
- ulcers
- Warts
- Nodules
- Papules.
Over time, eczema may develop.In some cases, they may be accompanied by a slight malaise, headache, and fever, which leads to the conclusion that the patient has been infected with filariasis.This disease is caused by thread nematodes.
But if measures are not taken in time, parasitic skin disease can lead to complications in the form of arthrosis and vision problems.
Using mosquito repellent will help prevent infection.By treating exposed skin with it and thereby protecting yourself from the bites of blood-sucking insects, you will protect yourself from filariasis infection.
Dracunculiasis
The disease is caused by round subcutaneous helminths - guinea worms.Adults of this parasite live under the human skin and can reach a length of more than one meter.The peculiarity of this species is that not only humans, but also pets: cats, dogs can serve as carriers for them.This parasite is most often found in Central Asia.
Guinea worm larvae enter the human body by consuming untreated raw water.After 2 weeks they begin their journey through the host's body, and after 1.5 months they penetrate into the subcutaneous area.The larvae will develop into adults only after one year.
Symptoms of guinea worm infection are difficult to confuse with other diseases.Initially, elongated and swollen areas appear on the skin in the leg area, resembling small laces.Then in its place a bubble is formed, in which there are helminth eggs.And when water enters, it breaks, 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 an abscess forming on the skin.
To combat these human skin parasites, it consists in removing them from the skin tissue.Moreover, this process can last for several days if a large individual parasitizes the patient's body.The only condition is not to break the worm.
To avoid dracunculiasis infection, you must 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 by swimming in them you put yourself at risk of infection.Helminths of this type are parasites not only on the human skin, but also in the genitourinary organs.In the early stages of development, the disease manifests itself as rashes, itching, and dermatitis.After that, signs of kidney damage appear and the liver may become enlarged.
This disease is treated with drugs based on antimony.But it is better to avoid infection by following simple rules: avoid swimming in stagnant bodies of water and drink only boiled water.
Hookworm disease
The parasite penetrates the skin through cracks on the soles of the feet or wounds on other parts of the body.But often they still affect the lower part and remain there, without migrating to the rest of the body.
Ankylostomiasis is indicated by the following symptoms:
- severe itching where the parasite is;
- changes 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 it is not always possible to achieve a positive result.
Cysticercosis
Pig tapeworm larvae can also become parasites under the human skin.The main habitat of this parasite in the human body is the internal organs, where it penetrates with food or water contaminated with helminths.But there are still frequent cases of their development under the skin, and there they can live for many 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 it is through surgical intervention and taking antiparasitic drugs.
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 caused by the penetration of microscopic scabies mites under a person's skin.Moreover, it prefers to settle in the inner layer of the skin, where it feeds on the epithelium and lays eggs in it.
The adult life cycle is no more than two months.But during this time the female managed to lay more than a dozen eggs.Most often, lice affect 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 are shown by clear signs, such as clearly visible paths, crusts in places where scratching, rashes, and itching that become worse at night.If not treated immediately, scabies can lead to the development of dermatitis and eczema, which worsens in autumn.
This disease is treated with sulfur ointment or hydrochloric acid solution and the use of sulfur soap.For extensive lesions, antibiotics may be prescribed.But to prevent re-infection, it is necessary to boil the patient's linen and clothes and iron them with a hot iron on both sides.Therefore, it is easier to maintain personal hygiene and avoid contact with infected people - this will help not to get sick.
Detection and diagnosis of subcutaneous parasites
Often, you can determine whether a person is infected or not visually.However, in any case, the patient will be prescribed an examination, which will help determine the location of the lesion and the number of parasites more accurately.
Parasitic skin diseases are diagnosed:
- Taking scrapings and smears from mucous membranes;
- 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, even surgery may be necessary.But often it is possible to get by using various drugs.
Disease prevention
Since the removal of some types of helminths from the human body can take several years, it is easier to prevent parasitic skin diseases.To do this, you need to avoid drinking raw water, poorly fried meat products and close contact with infected people.