There are a number of protozoa that can only exist in the body of the host. For most of them, the main means of transportation is people. And penetrating the human body, these creatures can live anywhere, but subcutaneous parasites are considered the most common. It is they who deliver the most unpleasant moments, including the development of complications, and therefore at the first signs of infection it is necessary to consult a doctor.
Types of parasites that live under the skin
The simplest, the main carrier for which a person is, are divided into two main groups:
- Cutaneous
- Subcutaneous.
The first includes insects such as: lice, fleas, bedbugs. They live in the hair and on the skin of a person, feed on his blood and can transmit various dangerous diseases. But still, skin parasites are considered less dangerous than subcutaneous ones. The latter, which live on human skin, not only feed on its cells, but also raise their young inside. Therefore, it is much more difficult to deal with skin parasites in humans than with skin parasites.
Many protozoa and helminths live under the human skin, which can lead to the development of various types of diseases, such as:
- filariasis
- Dracunculiasis
- schistosomiasis
- Hookworm
- 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 such diseases often resemble a normal allergic reaction. Consequently, it takes a long time to treat dermatoses.
To get an idea of which subcutaneous parasites a person may have and how it manifests, consider the signs of infection with each of the above.
filariasis
This species does not live in our country, but it is easy for them to become infected when they visit Africa, South America and Asia. The infection occurs when a person is bitten by a blood-sucking insect, such as a mosquito. As for the incubation period, in this type of dermatosis it can reach 7 years.
The initial symptoms of this parasitic skin disease are usually a low-grade fever and hives, and are often ignored.
And only after a few years on the skin begin to appear:
- ulcers
- warts
- nodules
- papules
Over time, eczema can develop. In some cases they may be accompanied by a slight malaise, headaches, fever, which allows us to conclude that the patient has contracted filariasis. This disease is caused by thread nematodes.
But if measures are not taken in time, parasitic skin diseases can cause complications in the form of osteoarthritis and vision problems.
The use of mosquito repellants will help prevent infection. By treating the open areas of the 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 - guinea worms. Adults of these parasites living under human skin can reach a length of more than a meter. A feature of this species is that not only a person can serve as a carrier for them, but also domestic animals - cats, dogs. 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 wearer's body, and after 1. 5 months they penetrate the subcutaneous regions. The larva will turn into an adult only after a year.
The symptoms of rishta infection are difficult to confuse with another disease. Initially, an elongated swollen area appears on the skin in the area of the legs, resembling a small cord. Then a bubble forms in its place, inside which the eggs of the helminth are located. And when water gets in, it bursts, making it possible for new larvae to enter the environment.
If you do not start treatment of the disease on time, complications appear in the form of:
- joint inflammation
- Gangrene
- Sepsis, which is caused by abscesses formed on the skin.
As for the fight against this parasite of the human skin, it consists in its removal from the skin tissues. Also, this process can take several days if a large individual becomes parasitized in the patient's body. The only condition is not to break the worm.
To avoid infection with dracunculiasis, you should 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 swimming in them puts you at risk of infection. This variety of helminths parasitizes not only human skin, but also genitourinary organs. At the initial stage of development, the disease is manifested by rashes, itching, dermatitis. In the future, signs of kidney damage appear, and the liver may increase.
This disease is treated with antimony-based drugs. But it is better to avoid infection by following simple rules: refuse to bathe in stagnant water and use only boiled water.
Hookworm
These parasites enter under the skin through cracks in the soles of the feet or wounds in other parts of the body. But most of the time they still affect the lower extremities and remain there without migrating through the body.
Hookworm is expressed by the following symptoms:
- severe itching in the place where the parasite is located;
- skin change;
- 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
Tapeworm larvae can also parasitize under human skin. The main habitats of these parasites in the human body are the internal organs, where they penetrate with food or water infected with helminths. But still, cases of their development under the skin are not uncommon, and there they can live for years.
Symptoms of infection with cysticercosis are swelling and neoplasms in the place where the parasite has entered. Over time, they thicken. In rare cases, the infection may be accompanied by hives.
The only way to get rid of them is surgical intervention in the complex 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 under the skin of a person with a microscopic size of a scabies mite. In addition, it prefers to settle in the deep layers of the skin, where it feeds on the epithelium and lays eggs on 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 of the time, the tick affects the hands, the folds, the armpits and the 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 determined by such obvious signs as clearly visible passages, crusts in places of scratching, rashes, itching, which intensifies at night. With untimely treatment, scabies can lead to the development of dermatitis and eczema, which worsen in the autumn periods.
Such a disease is treated with sulfuric ointment or hydrochloric acid solution and the use of sulfuric soap. For extensive injuries, antibiotics may be prescribed. But in order to avoid reinfection, it is necessary to boil the patient's clothes and clothes and iron them with a hot iron on both sides. Therefore, it is easier to observe personal hygiene and avoid contact with the infected; this will help not to get sick.
Identification and diagnosis of subcutaneous parasites
Most of the time, you can visually determine whether or not a person is infected. However, in any case, the patient will be assigned an examination, which will help to more accurately determine the location of the lesion and the number of parasites.
Parasitic skin diseases are diagnosed:
- Taking a scraping and smear of the mucous membrane;
- A blood test for the presence of antibodies in it.
And only after receiving all the results, the doctor can determine the treatment regimen and prescribe drugs that can destroy the parasite.
Treatment methods depend on the type of disease. In some cases, surgery may even be necessary. But most of the time it is possible to get by with the use of various drugs.
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, avoid drinking raw water, undercooked meat products, and close contact with infected people.