There are a number of protozoa that can only exist in the body of the host.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 consult a doctor.
Types of parasites that live under the skin
Protozoa, the main carrier of which is humans, are divided into two main groups:
- Cutaneous
- Subcutaneous.
The first includes insects such as lice, fleas, bedbugs.They live in human hair and skin, feeding on his blood and are capable of carrying various dangerous diseases.But still, cutaneous parasites are considered less dangerous than subcutaneous ones.The latter, living in human skin, not only feed on its cells, but also breed their offspring inside it.Therefore, fighting skin parasites in humans is much more difficult than fighting skin parasites.
Under the human skin there live quite a lot of protozoa and helminths that 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 making a correct diagnosis is often very difficult, since the symptoms of such diseases often resemble a common allergic reaction.Consequently, it takes a very long time to treat dermatoses.
So that you have an idea of what subcutaneous parasites a person can have and how it manifests itself, let’s consider the signs of infection with 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.As for the incubation period, for this type of dermatoses it can reach 7 years.
The initial symptoms of this parasitic skin disease often 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 may develop.In some cases, they may be accompanied by slight malaise, headaches, and fever, which leads to the conclusion that the patient has become infected with filariasis.This disease is caused by thread nematodes.
But if measures are not taken in time, parasitic skin diseases can lead to complications in the form of arthrosis and vision problems.
Using mosquito repellent will help avoid infection.By treating exposed skin with it and thus protecting yourself from the bites of blood-sucking insects, you will protect yourself from infection with filariasis.
Dracunculiasis
This disease is caused by round subcutaneous helminths - guinea worms.Adults of these parasites living under human skin can reach a length of more than a meter.The peculiarity of this species is that not only humans, but also pets: cats, dogs can serve as carriers for them.These parasites are most often 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 into the subcutaneous areas.The larva will develop into an adult only after one year.
The symptoms of guinea worm infection are difficult to confuse with another disease.Initially, an elongated, swollen area appears on the skin in the leg area, resembling a small lace.Then in its place a bubble forms, inside which are helminth eggs.And when water gets in, it bursts, allowing new larvae to emerge into the environment.
If treatment of the disease is not started in time, complications appear in the form of:
- Joint inflammation
- Gangrene
- Sepsis, which is caused by abscesses that form on the skin.
As for the fight against this human skin parasite, it consists of removing it from the skin tissue.Moreover, this process can last for several days if a large individual is parasitizing the patient’s body.The only condition is not to break the worm.
To avoid infection with dracunculiasis, 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 becoming infected.This type of helminth parasitizes not only on human skin, but also in the genitourinary organs.At the initial stage of development, the disease manifests itself as rashes, itching, and dermatitis.Subsequently, 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 adhering to simple rules: avoid swimming in stagnant bodies of water and drink only boiled water.
Hookworm disease
These parasites penetrate the skin through cracks in the soles of the feet or wounds on other parts of the body.But most often they still affect the lower extremities and remain there, without migrating throughout the body.
Ankylostomiasis is expressed 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 infection is the fact that this disease is quite difficult to treat and it is not always possible to achieve a positive result.
Cysticercosis
Pork tapeworm larvae can also parasitize under human skin.The main habitats of these parasites in the human body are internal organs, where they penetrate with helminth-contaminated food or water.But there are still frequent cases of their development under the skin, and there they can live for years.
Symptoms of infection with cysticercosis are swelling and new growths in the area where the parasite has penetrated.Over time they become denser.In rare cases, infection may be accompanied by hives.
The only way to get rid of them is through surgical intervention 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 caused by the penetration of a microscopic scabies mite under the skin of a person.Moreover, 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 is no more than 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 clearly visible passages, crusts in places where scratching, rashes, and itching that gets worse at night.If not treated promptly, scabies can lead to the development of dermatitis and eczema, which worsen in the autumn.
This disease is treated with sulfur ointment or a solution of hydrochloric acid and the use of sulfur soap.For extensive lesions, antibiotics may be prescribed.But to avoid 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 an infected person - this will help not get sick.
Detection and diagnosis of subcutaneous parasites
Most 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 more accurately help determine the location of the lesion and the number of parasites.
Parasitic skin diseases are diagnosed:
- Taking a scraping and smear from 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, even surgery may be required.But most often it is possible to get by using various medications.
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 contacts with infected people.