Subcutaneous parasites are represented by various types of living organisms.These are bacteria, protozoa, worms, insects.Many people can live peacefully for a long time without knowing about the presence of parasites in their body.In the meantime, they will reproduce, increasing their population.The activities of foreign agents can have serious consequences.Subcutaneous parasites in humans cause various symptoms, inflammatory processes of the skin, intoxication, which in turn provokes disorders in all body systems.Some representatives of skin parasites are carriers of diseases.
Known parasites and their activities
Parasites are transmitted to humans from other people, through water, contaminated meat, and from domestic animals.Parasitic skin diseases of different types have different degrees of danger, but similar manifestations.In order to detect an infection in time, you need to know the main pathogens.They make up three groups:
- Worms.Roundworms (filariasis, dracunculiasis, gnathostomiasis), flatworms (schistosomiasis).Worms live not only in the intestines, but also under the cover of human skin.
- Mites (scabies, demodicosis).Skin mites vary in shape and are microscopic in size.
- Insects - fleas, flies (myiasis, sarcopsillosis).
The type of parasite in the skin and the degree of infection are determined by the doctor.Treatment is also prescribed by a specialist; independent measures cannot be taken.
Filariasis
Filaria have a second name - filaments.These are thin worms that can reach 45 cm in length.They parasitize under the skin, in blood vessels and the heart.Filaria are the most unpleasant parasites in the human body.You can catch the infection in countries with a hot tropical climate.The disease is transmitted by blood-sucking insects.The invasion does not manifest itself immediately; the incubation period lasts up to 7 years.All this time, the worms are actively reproducing.When the number of parasites becomes huge, a person begins to feel the consequences of intoxication of the body.A small red rash and intense itching appear on the skin.As the disease progresses, the following appear:
- visual impairment;
- movable seals under the skin (these are worms moving);
- fever.
Filariasis can be diagnosed with a simple examination.After making an accurate diagnosis, the doctor prescribes the necessary treatment.To avoid becoming infected with filaria, you need to be vaccinated before traveling on vacation to tropical countries.
Dracunculiasis (guinea worm)
The least common parasitosis in our latitudes.Dracunculiasis is caused by female nematodes Dracunculus medinensis.You can become infected with parasites through water.The worm enters the human body, gnaws through the intestinal walls and penetrates the body cavity through the lymphatic system.Skin parasites usually live in a person's lower extremities and can reach a meter in size.The disease manifests itself as itching in the legs, roll-shaped tumors, ulcers on the skin, and large blisters that burst from water.
Schistosomiasis
The tropical disease schistosomiasis is caused by trematodes.When parasites enter the body, symptoms of dermatitis appear.Then an allergic reaction to the waste products of the parasites develops, which is manifested by a rash, fever, swelling, and increased sweating at night.Schistosomiasis can cause disruption of the intestines, genitourinary system, and liver.
Gnathostomiasis
The causative agent of the disease is gnathostoma larvae.People become infected with worms by eating fish and poultry meat that has undergone insufficient heat treatment.Gnathostomiasis is common in countries with tropical climates.Helminthic infestation is manifested by the formation of nodules under the skin.The larvae of the parasite can cause eosinophilic meningitis, eye damage, swelling of the skin and pathologies of internal organs.
Scabies
50% of the population has encountered scabies once in their life.Its causative agents are ticks.The main symptom is intense skin itching.The disease is transmitted by contact.Scabies mites are localized in people on the hands and joints.In the initial stage, it is difficult to diagnose parasites on human skin.After a certain time, the movements of ticks, which gnaw their way through, become noticeable.Blisters appear on the skin due to constant scratching.
Demodicosis
Demodicosis is caused by permanent residents of the human sebaceous glands - Demodex mites.With weakened immunity, parasites begin to actively reproduce.Symptoms of demodicosis:
- redness;
- itching;
- acne;
- white crusts on the eyelashes (demodex of the eyelids).
To diagnose demodicosis, a scraping is done to check for parasites.The disease is chronic, worsening in spring and autumn.You cannot become infected with demodicosis; the causes of the disease lie inside the body.
Miaz
The disease is caused by fly larvae of 18 species.Eggs are laid by insects in wounds or on healthy skin.The larvae destroy adjacent tissues and blood vessels by eating them.The vital activity of insects provokes the formation of ulcers, abscesses and local bleeding on the skin.
Sarcopsillosis
Sarcopsillosis is common in tropical countries.It is caused by fleas and usually affects the legs.A painful lump and itching appears at the site where the flea has entered.The surrounding tissues become inflamed.The infection can lead to gangrene and blood poisoning.
Diagnosis of parasitic infestations
Intense and regular skin itching is a sufficient reason to consult a dermatologist.You will also need to consult an allergist and infectious disease specialist.After an initial examination and history taking, diagnosis is carried out using two types of specific laboratory methods:
- Direct methods.Definition of a parasite.A scraping, samples of the epidermis or iron secretions are taken for examination under a microscope.
- Indirect methods.Determination of antigen-antibody complexes.Blood is taken, an enzyme immunoassay, an indirect hemagglutination reaction or a complement fixation reaction is performed.
If subcutaneous parasites have not been found in a person, then the cause of itching may be neurological and psychosomatic disorders.Then you will need to consult a psychotherapist.
When the parasites living under the skin of a person and their concentration are accurately determined, the doctor prescribes adequate treatment.
Treatment of skin parasitoses
Parasitic skin diseases can be treated conservatively or surgically, depending on the type of parasite.
- Filariasistreated in a hospital setting with an anthelmintic drug.In parallel, antihistamines and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed.Types of filariasis such as onchocerciasis and brugiosis are treated surgically.
- Dracunculiasisremoved surgically.Oral antihistamines are also prescribed.If you are infected with dracunculiasis, you must be vaccinated against tetanus.
- Schistosomiasistreated in a hospital setting with anthelmintic drugs.To treat Japanese schistosomiasis, antimony preparations (tartar emetic) are used.
- Pathogensgnathostomiasisremoved surgically or using an anthelmintic drug from the benzimidazoles group.
- ScabiesTreated at home with sulfur ointment, a special drug.The products are applied in a thin layer to the affected areas.For prevention, procedures should be carried out by all family members who have been in contact with the patient.
- Get rid ofdemodicosispossible with the help of antibiotics, local acaricidal, antihistamine and anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Larvae that provokemyiasis, removed surgically.The wounds are then treated with an antiseptic solution.
- Sarcopsillosisneeds to be treated surgically.
The duration of treatment depends on the type of parasite and the degree of infection.If the action of foreign agents disrupts the functioning of other organs and systems, then specialized treatment is prescribed.
Prevention of parasitic skin diseases
It can be difficult to identify subcutaneous parasites in humans.Treatment takes a long time.To avoid unwanted consequences, you need to follow preventive measures.
- Vaccination.Before traveling to tropical countries, you must be vaccinated against parasites.
- Thermal treatment of meat.Pork is severely affected by helminths; it must be fried or baked completely.It is better not to eat sushi in dubious establishments, as the storage conditions of the fish may be violated there.
- Processing of vegetables and fruits.
- Purifying and boiling water.
- Protection from blood-sucking insects.When going on vacation, you need to take with you closed clothing and mosquito and tick repellents.
- Compliance with personal hygiene rules.
- Regular self-examinations.Parasitic infestations under the skin are often visible to the naked eye.
- Regular medical examinations, twice a year.
Simple rules will help you maintain your health and protect yourself from subcutaneous parasites.
Parasites under human skin are uninvited guests that can seriously harm the life of the owner.Only timely detection will help to fully recover.You need to be attentive to the body's signals to recognize signs of infection.