Helminths are subcutaneous parasites that live in the human body. They feed on the host's cells and release toxic substances. An infection with parasites can lead to serious illnesses, in the worst case to death. Depending on the type of worms, the places where they are moved differ. Some multiply in organs, others live under the human skin, which provokes the development of dermatoses.
Types of subcutaneous parasites and methods of infection
Parasitic skin diseases are not a common pathology. Nevertheless, cases of illness were reported. You are most likely after visiting Asian regions and countries with hot climates. Parasites in the human body cause an allergic reaction, which is accompanied by unbearable itching.
In medicine, worms are divided into two types:
- Subcutaneous. Helminths are difficult to diagnose. After infection and the stage of maturity, the parasites migrate through the human body. The most common types of subcutaneous helminths are: iron, scabies mites, filariae, rishta.
- Skin. After contact with human skin, parasites migrate to different parts of the body. As a result of infection with skin parasites, inflammation of the pancreas occurs, the development of scaly lichen, eczema and diabetes mellitus.
Common cases are infection with a tick located in the sebum glands. It is characterized by an exit to the surface of the epidermis in the daytime to supply secretions from the skin ducts.
Filariasis
Filariasis is the defeat of a person by parasites of the nematode type. It occurs in the countries of the Asian region as well as in places with a tropical climate. The most likely route of infection is visiting vacation areas. The main danger posed by parasites is the long incubation period. Worms can live under the skin for 5 to 7 years without showing symptoms. Pests are characterized by excessive vital activity, which provokes symptoms of intoxication in the patient.
In the early stages, the disease shows signs of urticaria. As the worms grow and multiply, there is loss of vision, the formation of agile seals, and a fever. In later stages, the location of worms is determined with the naked eye.
Dracunculosis
Dracunculosis is a disease caused by infection with subcutaneous helminths. You can live in open water. Human infestation occurs during the voyage when raw water is drunk from untested sources. In an infected person, the larvae are localized under the top layer of the epidermis. The presence of even a parasite without proper treatment will result in death. In worldwide practice, adult helminths with a length of 100 centimeters have been registered. They can take up the entire space of the stomach, liver, or block the airways.
Most often, helminths are localized in a person's lower extremities.
The main symptoms of a lesion include:
- Rashes on the legs;
- the formation of bubbles filled with liquid;
- unbearable itching;
- the appearance of bumps;
- purulent formations.
The main treatment is to surgically remove the helminth from the body.
Schistosomiasis
The disease provokes a number of species of helminths found in bodies of water. The infection occurs when swimming in the rivers and lakes of Africa and Asia. Another route of infection is untested drinking water. It is the source of the spread of eggs and larvae of parasites. 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 fever and profuse sweating. An enlarged liver and deformed kidneys can help diagnose infection.
Cysticercosis
Cysticercosis is a disease associated with pork tapeworm infection in humans. The parasite belongs to the category of stubborn, 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 enough. Parasites are highly regenerative, which makes the treatment process difficult.
The main signs of damage are urticaria, itching, general weakness, pain. Often worms are located under the skin, in the muscles, eyes, internal organs and in the brain. During the development of an adult, a tubercle or induration forms under the skin. Over time, it can increase, it brings inconvenience. The main breeding grounds for pork tapeworms are the shoulders, chest, arms and palms of the hands.
Dirofilaria
The main method of infestation with worms is the penetration of larvae through insect bites or contact with animals. Temporary carriers of larvae are cats and dogs, mosquitoes act as carriers. The female worm is 12 inches long, the male 10 inches long.
The development of parasites occurs under the top layer of the epidermis.
Eggs stay on human skin when a mosquito bites. The hatched larva penetrates deep into the skin through the injured skin area. There she goes through all stages of growing up. The disease is accompanied by unbearable itching. Seals are noticed in the areas of localization of worms. The patient feels the movement of the adult under the skin. Loss of vision is possible if you are affected by helminths.
Treatment of worms is carried out by an operative method. After surgery, patients are shown drugs that will restore the skin and affected organs.
scabies
Scabies is infection of a person with a scabies mite. The disease takes its name from the intense, unbearable itching all over the body. In places where ticks are localized, people develop redness and spots.
A tick infestation occurs through physical contact with an infected person or their personal belongings. The diagnosis is made by visual examination of the skin and laboratory tests.
At home, diagnosis can be carried out using iodine. When it comes into contact with the affected skin, a spider web becomes noticeable - the trajectory of ticks under the skin of an infected person.
The main symptoms of scabies are:
- Itching and redness of the skin;
- the formation of fluid-filled blisters when the skin is scratched;
- Localization of lesions on the hands and joints.
Treatment of the disease is tedious and arduous. It is almost impossible to completely eliminate parasites.
Demodecosis
Demodectic mange is a subcutaneous tick infection in humans. They are located in the sebum glands of the infected. In the early stages, the disease can easily be mistaken for acne. As the mites multiply, the rash enlarges and spreads all over your face. Lash loss begins.
Diagnosing demodicosis is easy. To do this, a visual examination is carried out and a series of laboratory tests is carried out. Treatment for the disease is long-term. In some cases it takes several years. Infection with ticks occurs through direct contact with the patient, the use of personal items or cosmetic products of the infected person. The 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 disorders of internal organs. Depending on the pathogen in a person, the symptoms appear in a peculiar way. Even so, there are a number of signs that it is recommended to consult a specialist.
You can experience worms in the body through a number of signs:
- general weakness;
- Temperature rise to 39 ° C;
- Itching of the skin of varying intensity;
- the appearance of rashes;
- disturbed gastrointestinal tract;
- the formation of seals on the skin.
It is important to note that an early visit to the doctor will allow you to quickly rid the body of parasites that live under human skin.
Diagnostic functions
Subcutaneous parasites in humans are difficult to diagnose. For this reason, at the first suspicion of a lesion, it is necessary to see a specialist. The complexity of the diagnosis is directly related to the latent course of the disease. Basically, only a few years after defeat, there are vivid symptoms that have a negative impact on health.
A number of symptoms suggest helminthic invasion, but there is no general clinical picture of the manifestation. It is necessary to exclude the defeat of the patient with helminths with reddening of the areas of the skin, the appearance of constant itching, various seals on the skin.
A visit to a number of specialists will allow you to make the correct diagnosis:
- Dermatologist;
- Neuropathologist;
- Allergist;
- Infectious Disease Specialist;
- Psychologist.
A psychologist consultation takes place if no deviations in the direction of other specialists are found.
To clarify the diagnosis, laboratory tests are assigned to patients:
- Blood test for antigens;
- Examination of a skin sample;
- Smear;
- secret research;
- Scratching 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 six months prior to the onset of symptoms, you must report this to your doctor.
Diagnosis of subcutaneous parasites requires the appointment of a competent therapeutic scheme. In this situation, the use of drugs or conventional medical methods that are not recommended by the attending physician is prohibited. Violation of the regimen of therapy can lead to deterioration and poisoning of the body.
Effective treatments
There are two therapy methods for parasites in medical practice: medication and surgical. Depending on the complexity of the lesion, the doctor will use one method or a combination of both. The choice of therapeutic methods of treatment depends on the patient's health risk and the characteristics of the parasites.
The choice of therapy method is influenced by:
- the number of parasites in the patient's body;
- Regenerative ability 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 medication. The effects of drugs include exposure in several directions:
- Destruction of adult worms and larvae in the body, preventing their reproduction. For this, anthelmintic drugs are used.
- Removal of inflammation and destruction of foci of infection. Antibiotic therapy is carried out for this purpose.
- Accelerating the elimination of toxins and eliminating an allergic reaction. The patient is prescribed a course of antihistamines and glucocorticoids.
- 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 there is a special localization of the worm. Surgery has proven useful in cases where the body is known to be affected by only one person. Most often, surgical intervention is used for dracunculosis. The worm's internal fluid contains toxic substances that can cause anaphylactic shock. In this case, a holistic extraction of the parasite is shown.
Prevention methods
Skin parasite infection in humans requires prolonged therapy. A number of preventive measures can avoid the problem:
- Compliance with hygiene regulations. Hands should be washed under running water with soap or an antiseptic. Especially after contact with unknown or stray animals. Scratches, cuts, and other skin damage should be treated with an antiseptic.
- Product processing. Fresh vegetables and fruits should be rinsed thoroughly under running water before use. It is recommended to heat fish, poultry and meat. Avoid eating raw or semi-raw meat.
- Use of proven water sources. Water from unknown sources has to be treated. Open waters and springs deserve special attention.
- Routine vaccination. Vaccination against serious diseases is required before traveling to tropical countries.
- General makeup use. Women should avoid sharing makeup, even with close friends.
- Swimming in open water. Bathing in polluted or untested waters is prohibited. In the hot season, waters whose water quality has been tested should be preferred.
A responsible approach to one's own health and compliance with preventive measures help to prevent parasitic skin diseases.