Helminths are subcutaneous parasites that live in the human body. They feed on the host's cells, releasing toxic substances. Parasite infection can lead to serious illness, in the worst case, death. Depending on the type of worms, the places of their dislocation differ. Some reproduce in organs, others live under human skin, causing dermatosis to develop.
Varieties of subcutaneous parasites and methods of infection
Parasitic skin diseases are not common types of conditions. Despite this, cases of the disease have been reported. I am most likely after visiting Asian regions and countries with warm climates. Parasites in the human body cause an allergic reaction, accompanied by unbearable itching.
In medicine, worms are divided into two types:
- Subcutaneous. Helminths are difficult to diagnose. After the infection and maturation stage, the parasites move through the human body. The most common types of subcutaneous helminths are: iron, scabies mites, heartworms, rishta.
- dermal. After contact with human skin, parasites migrate to different parts of the body. As a result of parasitic infection of the skin, inflammation of the pancreas occurs, the development of squamous lichen, eczematous disease, and diabetes mellitus.
Common cases include a localized tick infection in the sebaceous glands. It is distinguished by an exit on the surface of the epidermis during the day to feed the secretions from the skin ducts.
Filariasis
Filariasis is the defeat of a person by parasites of the nematodosis type. It is found in the countries of the Asian region, as well as in places with a tropical climate. The most likely way of infection is when visiting tourist areas. The main danger of parasites is the long incubation period. Without showing symptoms, the worms can live under the skin for 5-7 years. Parasites are distinguished by excessive vital activity, which causes symptoms of intoxication in the patient.
In the early stages, the disease has signs of urticaria. As the worms grow and multiply, there is a loss of vision, the formation of motile seals and fever. In the later stages, the location of the worms is determined with the naked eye.
dracuncoliasis
Dracuncoliasis is a disease caused by subcutaneous helminth infection. I am able to live in open water. Human infestation occurs while traveling, when drinking raw water from unverified sources. In an infected person, the larvae are located under the upper layer of the epidermis. The presence of even one parasite without proper treatment leads to death. In world practice, adult helminths with a length of 100 centimeters have been recorded. They are able to occupy the entire space of the stomach, liver or block the airways.
Most often, helminths are localized in the lower limbs of a person.
The main symptoms of an injury include:
- rashes on the legs;
- the formation of fluid-filled blisters;
- intolerable itching;
- the appearance of bumps;
- purulent formations.
The main treatment is to surgically remove the helminth from the body.
Schistosomiasis
The disease causes a number of types of helminths found in water bodies. Infection occurs when swimming in the rivers and lakes of the African and Asian region. Another way of infection is untested drinking water. It is the source of the spread of parasite eggs and larvae. Initially, helminths are localized under the epidermis. An allergic rash forms on the skin, accompanied by itching. As the disease develops, the larvae penetrate deep into the body. The patient's kidneys and liver are severely affected. The disease is accompanied by night fevers, profuse sweating. Enlarged liver and deformed kidneys can help diagnose the infection.
Cysticercosis
Cysticercosis is a disease associated with human infection with the pig tapeworm. The parasite belongs to the category of tenacious, lives in Asian countries. For the development of an adult in the human body, the penetration of 1 larva or part of a worm is sufficient. Parasites are highly regenerative, which complicates the treatment process.
The main signs of damage include hives, itching, general weakness, pain. Often the worms are located under the skin, in the muscles, in the eyes, in the internal organs and in the brain. During the development of an adult, a tubercle or induration is formed under the skin. Over time, it can increase, brings inconvenience. The main breeding sites for the pig tapeworm are the area of the shoulders, chest, arms, palms.
Heartworm
The main method of worm infestation is the penetration of larvae through insect bites or contact with animals. Temporary carriers of larvae are cats and dogs, mosquitoes serve as carriers. The female worm is 30 centimeters long, the male 10 centimeters long.
The development of parasites occurs under the upper layer of the epidermis.
The eggs remain on the human skin with a mosquito bite. The hatched larva penetrates deep into the skin through the injured area of the skin. There he goes through all stages of growth. The disease is accompanied by unbearable itching. Seals are known in the areas of localization of worms. The patient feels the movement of adults under the skin. Vision loss is possible if you have helminths.
Treatment of worms is carried out by an operative method. After the operation, patients are shown drugs that restore the affected skin and organs.
Scabies
Scabies is an infection of a person with a scabies mite. The disease gets its name from the severe and unbearable itching all over the body. In places where ticks are located, people develop redness and spots.
Tick infestation occurs through physical contact with an infected person or her personal belongings. Diagnosis is made by visual examination of the skin and laboratory tests.
At home, diagnostics can be done with iodine. When it comes into contact with the affected skin, a spider web is noted, the path of movement of ticks under the skin of an infected person.
The main symptoms of scabies include:
- itching and redness of the skin;
- the formation of fluid-filled blisters when scratching the skin;
- localization of injuries to the hands and joints.
Treatment of the disease is long and laborious. It is almost impossible to get rid of parasites completely.
demodecosis
Demodectic mange is a human subcutaneous tick infection. They are localized in the sebaceous glands of infected people. In the early stages, the disease can easily be confused with acne. As the mites multiply, the rash enlarges and spreads all over the face. Lash fall begins.
The diagnosis of demodicosis is simple. For this, a visual examination is performed and numerous laboratory tests are performed. Treatment of the disease is long-term. In some cases, it takes several years. Tick infection occurs through direct contact with the patient, the use of personal belongings or cosmetic products of the infected. Successful reproduction of ticks is facilitated by an unstable hormonal background, a weakened immune system.
Symptoms of the disease
Modern medicine distinguishes several types of subcutaneous parasites. They provoke the development of skin dermatitis and the rupture of internal organs. Depending on the pathogen in a person, the symptoms appear in a particular way. Despite this, there are a number of signs, when they appear, it is recommended to consult a specialist.
You can learn about worms in the body by a number of signs:
- general weakness;
- increase in temperature to 39 ° C;
- itching of the skin of varying degrees of intensity;
- the appearance of skin rashes;
- upset gastrointestinal tract;
- the formation of seals on the skin.
It is important to note that an early visit to a doctor allows you to quickly rid the body of parasites that live under the human skin.
Diagnostic functions
Subcutaneous parasites in humans are difficult to diagnose. For this reason, at the first suspicion of injury, it is necessary to consult a specialist. The complexity of the diagnosis is directly related to the latent course of the disease. Basically, vivid symptoms appear only a few years after the defeat, which adversely affects health.
A number of symptoms indicate a helminthic invasion, but there is no general clinical picture of the manifestation. It is necessary to exclude the defeat of the patient with helminths in case of redness of the skin areas, the appearance of constant itching, various seals on the skin.
A visit to a number of specialists allows you to make the correct diagnosis:
- dermatologist;
- neuropathologist;
- allergist;
- infectious disease specialist;
- psychologist.
Consultation of a psychologist takes place if no deviations in the direction of other specialists were found.
To clarify the diagnosis, patients are assigned laboratory tests:
- blood test for antigens;
- examination of a skin sample;
- smear;
- secret research;
- scraping from the affected area.
The results of laboratory tests can detect parasites under the skin. If you have traveled to Asian countries or other tropical regions in the last six months prior to the onset of symptoms, this should be reported to your doctor.
Diagnosis of subcutaneous parasites requires the appointment of a competent treatment regimen. In this situation, the use of drugs or methods of traditional medicine not recommended by the attending physician is prohibited. Violation of the therapeutic regimen can lead to deterioration and poisoning of the body.
Effective treatments
In medical practice, there are two methods of therapy for parasites: drug and surgical. Depending on the complexity of the injury, doctors use one method or both in combination. The choice of therapeutic methods of treatment depends on the risk to the patient's health and the characteristics of the parasites.
The choice of the method of therapy is influenced by:
- the number of parasites in the patient's body;
- regenerative capacity of the worm;
- reproduction rate;
- localization of parasites;
- allergic reactions of the patient;
- the severity of the disease;
- possible or existing complications.
Drug treatment involves taking a course of drugs. The action of drugs involves exposure in several directions:
- Destruction of adult worms and larvae in the body, prevention of their reproduction. For this, anthelmintic drugs are used.
- Removal of inflammation and destruction of foci of infection. For this, a course of antibiotic therapy is performed.
- Acceleration of the elimination of toxins and removal of an allergic reaction. The patient is prescribed a course of antihistamines and glucocorticoid drugs.
- Healing of the affected areas of the skin. To accelerate the regenerative function of the epidermis, creams and ointments are used.
Surgical treatment of subcutaneous parasites is recommended in cases where there are serious complications and a special location of the worm is present. The operation has shown high efficiency in cases where the body is known to be affected by only one individual. Most often, surgical intervention is used for dracuncoliasis. The worm's internal fluid contains toxic substances that can cause anaphylactic shock. In this case, a holistic extraction of the parasite is shown.
Methods of prevention
Infection with skin parasites in humans requires prolonged therapy. The problem can be avoided by following a number of preventive measures:
- Compliance with hygiene rules. Hands should be washed under running water using soap or an antiseptic. Especially after contact with unknown or stray animals. Scratches, cuts and other skin damage must be treated with an antiseptic.
- Product processing. Fresh fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly rinsed under running water before use. It is recommended to reheat fish, poultry and meat. Avoid eating raw or semi-raw meat.
- Use of proven water sources. Water from unknown sources must be treated. The open water bodies and springs deserve special attention.
- Routine vaccination. Before traveling to tropical countries, it is necessary to get vaccinated against major diseases.
- General use of makeup. Women should avoid sharing makeup, even with close friends.
- Swim in open water. Swimming in polluted or untested bodies of water is prohibited. During the warm season, preference should be given to water bodies that have been tested for water quality.
A responsible attitude towards one's health and adherence to preventive measures help prevent parasitic skin diseases.