There are several protozoa that can only exist in the host's body.For most of them, the main carrier is people.And having penetrated the human body, these creatures can live anywhere, but subcutaneous parasites are considered the most common.It is they who provoke the most unpleasant moments, including the development of complications, therefore, at the first signs of infection, you should consult a doctor.
Types of parasites that live under the skin
Protozoa, whose main carrier is humans, are divided into two main groups:
- Cutaneous
- Subcutaneous.
The first includes insects such as lice, fleas, bedbugs.They live in human hair and skin, feeding on their blood and are capable of transmitting several dangerous diseases.Even so, cutaneous parasites are considered less dangerous than subcutaneous parasites.The latter, living in human skin, not only feed on its cells, but also reproduce their offspring inside it.Therefore, fighting skin parasites in humans is much more difficult than fighting skin parasites.
Many protozoa and helminths live under human skin, which can lead to the development of various diseases, such as:
- Filariasis
- Dracunculiasis
- Schistosomiasis
- Hookworm disease
- Cysticercosis
- Scabies.
And the most unpleasant thing about this is that it is often very difficult to make a correct diagnosis, as the symptoms of these diseases often resemble a common allergic reaction.Consequently, the treatment of dermatoses takes a long time.
To give you an idea of what subcutaneous parasites a person may have and how they manifest themselves, let's consider the signs of infection for each of the above.
Filariasis
This species does not live in our country, but it is easy to become infected when visiting Africa, South America and Asia.Infection occurs when a person is bitten by a blood-sucking insect, such as a mosquito.As for the incubation period, for this type of dermatoses it can be up to 7 years.
Initial symptoms of this parasitic skin disease often include mild fever and hives, so they are often ignored.
And only after a few years do they begin to appear on the skin:
- Ulcers
- Warts
- Nodules
- Papules.
Over time, eczema may develop.In some cases, they may be accompanied by mild malaise, headaches and fever, which leads to the conclusion that the patient has been infected with filariasis.This disease is caused by thread nematodes.
But if measures are not taken in time, parasitic skin diseases can lead to complications in the form of arthrosis and vision problems.
Using mosquito repellent will help prevent infections.By treating exposed 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 that live under human skin can reach more than a meter in length.The peculiarity of this species is that not only humans, but also pets: cats, dogs can serve as carriers for them.These parasites are most often found in Central Asia.
Guinea worm larvae enter the human body through ingestion of raw, untreated water.After 2 weeks they begin their journey through the host's body and after 1.5 months they penetrate the subcutaneous areas.The larva will become an adult only after a year.
The symptoms of Guinea worm infection are difficult to confuse with another disease.Initially, an elongated and swollen area appears on the skin of the legs, resembling a small lace.Then, in its place, a bubble forms, inside which are helminth eggs.And when water enters, it explodes, allowing new larvae to emerge into the environment.
If treatment of the disease is not started on time, complications arise in the form of:
- Joint inflammation
- Gangrene
- Sepsis, caused by abscesses that form in the skin.
The fight against this human skin parasite consists of removing it from the skin tissue.Furthermore, this process can last several days if a large individual is parasitizing the patient's body.The only condition is not to break the worm.
To avoid Guinea worm infection, you should only drink 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 by swimming in them you run the risk of becoming infected.This type of helminth parasitizes not only on human skin, but also on the genitourinary organs.At the initial stage of development, the disease manifests itself as rashes, itching and dermatitis.Later, signs of kidney damage appear and the liver may enlarge.
This disease is treated with antimony-based medications.But it is better to avoid infection by following simple rules: avoid swimming in stagnant bodies of water and drink only boiled water.
Hookworm disease
These parasites penetrate the skin through cracks on the soles of the feet or wounds on other parts of the body.But most of the time they still affect the lower extremities and remain there without migrating throughout the body.
Ankylostomiasis is expressed by the following symptoms:
- intense itching in the place where the parasite is located;
- skin changes;
- the appearance of anemia.
The most unpleasant thing about the infection is that this disease is quite difficult to treat and it is not always possible to obtain a positive result.
Cysticercosis
Pork tapeworm larvae can also parasitize human skin.The main habitats of these parasites in the human body are internal organs, where they penetrate with food or water contaminated by helminths.But cases of their development under the skin are still common, and they can live there for years.
Symptoms of cysticercosis infection are swelling and new growths in the area where the parasite has penetrated.Over time they become denser.In rare cases, the infection may be accompanied by hives.
The only way to get rid of them is through surgical intervention and the use of antiparasitic medications.
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 of a microscopic scabies mite under a person's skin.Furthermore, it prefers to settle in the deep layers of the skin, where it feeds on the epithelium and lays eggs there.
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 in the mammary glands and genitals.
Infection with this parasite leads to the development of scabies, which is indicated by obvious signs such as clearly visible passages, scabs in places where it itches, rashes and itching that worsens at night.If not treated immediately, scabies can lead to the development of dermatitis and eczema, which worsen in the fall.
This disease is treated with sulfuric ointment or hydrochloric acid solution and the use of sulfuric soap.For extensive lesions, antibiotics may be prescribed.But to avoid reinfection, it is necessary to boil the patient's bedding and clothes and iron them with a hot iron on both sides.Therefore, it is easier to maintain personal hygiene and avoid contact with an infected person - this will help not to get sick.
Detection and diagnosis of subcutaneous parasites
Most of the time, you can determine whether a person is infected or not visually.However, in any case, the patient will be prescribed an examination that will help to more accurately determine the location of the lesion and the number of parasites.
Parasitic skin diseases are diagnosed:
- Take a scraping and smear from the mucous membrane;
- A blood test to check for antibodies.
And only after receiving all the results will the doctor be able to determine a treatment regimen and prescribe medications that can destroy the parasite.
Treatment options depend on the type of disease.In some cases, even surgery may be necessary.But most often it is possible to use several medications.
Disease prevention
Since removing 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, poorly fried meat products and close contact with infected people.