There are a number of protozoa that can only exist inside the host's body. For most of them, the main carrier is man. And having entered the human body, these creatures can live anywhere, but subcutaneous parasites are considered the most common. They 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 of which is a person, are divided into two main groups:
- skin
- Subcutaneous.
The first includes such insects as: lice, fleas, bed bugs. They live in a person's hair and skin, feed on his blood and can transmit various dangerous diseases. Nevertheless, cutaneous parasites are considered less dangerous than subcutaneous ones. The latter, which live in human skin, not only feed on its cells, but also incubate their offspring in them. Therefore, dealing with skin parasites in humans is much more difficult than dealing with skin parasites.
Many protozoa and helminths live under human skin, which can lead to the development of various types of diseases, such as:
- filariasis
- Dracunculiasis
- schistosomiasis
- ankylostomiasis
- cysticercosis
- Scabies.
And the most unpleasant thing 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, the treatment of dermatoses takes a very long time.
In order for you to get an idea of what subcutaneous parasites a person can have and how they manifest themselves, consider the signs of infection with each of the above.
filariasis
This species does not live in our country, but they can easily get infected when visiting Africa, South America and Asia. Infection occurs when a person is bitten by a blood-sucking insect, such as aB. a mosquito is bitten. The incubation period in this type of dermatoses can reach 7 years.
The first symptoms of this parasitic skin disease are often a low-grade fever and hives, and are often ignored.
And only after a few years appear on the skin:
- ulcers
- warts
- nodules
- papules.
Eczema can develop over time. In some cases, they can be accompanied by a slight malaise, headache and fever, which allows us to conclude that the patient is suffering from filariasis. This disease is caused by roundworms.
However, if measures are not taken in time, parasitic skin diseases can lead to complications in the form of osteoarthritis and impaired vision.
Using mosquito repellent will help prevent infection. By treating open areas of the skin with it, thereby protecting yourself from the bites of blood-sucking insects, you protect yourself from infection with filariasis.
Dracunculiasis
This disease is caused by round subcutaneous worms - guinea worms. Adults of these parasites living under human skin can reach more than a meter in length. A feature of this species is that not only a person can serve as a carrier for them, but also pets: cats, dogs. These parasites are most common 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 develops into an adult after a year.
Symptoms of infection with Rishta are difficult to confuse with any other disease. Initially, an elongated swelling resembling a small spike appears on the skin in the area of \u200b\u200bthe legs. Then a bubble is formed in its place, in which the eggs of the helminth are located. And when water gets inside, it bursts, which allows new larvae to enter the area.
If you do not start treatment of the disease on time, complications will arise in the form of:
- inflammation of the joints
- gangrene
- Sepsis caused by abscesses formed on the skin.
The fight against this human skin parasite consists in its removal from the skin tissues. Moreover, this process can take several days if a large individual parasitizes in the patient's body. The only condition is not to break the worm.
To avoid infection with dracunculiasis, you are allowed to drink only disinfected water and not swim in open water.
schistosomiasis
This disease is also caused by helminths. They live in the waters of Asia and Africa, so there is a risk of infection when swimming in them. This type of helminth parasitizes not only on human skin, but also in the urogenital 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 adhering to simple rules: do not bathe in stagnant water and use only boiled water.
ankylostomiasis
These parasites get under the skin through cracks in the soles of the feet or wounds on other parts of the body. But mostly they still affect the lower limbs and stay there without migrating through the body.
Ankylostomidosis is manifested by the following symptoms:
- severe itching in the place where the parasite is located;
- change in skin;
- the occurrence 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 get 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 invade with helminth-infected food or water. Nevertheless, cases of their development under the skin are not uncommon, and there they can live for years.
Symptoms of cysticercosis infection include swelling and growths at the site where the parasite entered. Over time they thicken. In rare cases, the infection can 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 an itch mite. 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 is no more than two months. But during this period 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 determined by obvious signs such as clearly visible passages, crusts on the scratched areas, rashes and itching, which intensify at night. With untimely treatment, scabies can lead to the development of dermatitis and eczema, which are aggravated in the autumn periods.
Such a disease is treated with sulfuric ointment or hydrochloric acid solution and the use of sulfuric soap. Antibiotics may be prescribed for extensive lesions. But in order to avoid re-infection, it is necessary to boil the patient's linen and clothes and iron them on both sides with a hot iron. Therefore, it is easier to maintain personal hygiene and avoid contact with the infected - this will help not to get sick.
Identification and diagnosis of subcutaneous parasites
In most cases, you can visually tell if a person is infected or not. But in any case, the patient is assigned an examination that will help to more accurately determine the location of the lesion and the number of parasites.
Parasitic skin diseases are diagnosed:
- scraping and taking a smear from 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. However, most often it is possible to get by with various drugs.
disease prevention
Since the removal of some species 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.