The most unpleasant symptoms, in the form of itching and rashes, can cause subcutaneous parasites in people of all ages. Any invasion brings a lot of health problems due to complications. Worm species with a long incubation period of several months are especially dangerous.
Types of parasites that live under the skin
A subcutaneous worm can enter the human body: by tactile contact with infected people; from blood-sucking insects carrying parasite larvae from animals.
The main feature of this invasion is the difficulty in recognizing the pathology, since at first the infection can be masked by other somatic diseases.
Having caught under the thickness of the skin, the parasite over time is able to move to any internal organ and cause their functional disorders. Helminths feed on blood and use it to hatch the larvae.
The main signs of the presence of this type of parasites in the body are severe weakness, reduced performance, a constant desire to scratch the skin. When these signs appear, it is advisable to consult a specialist: a therapist, a dermatologist, an allergist, an infectious disease specialist. The joint work of doctors and the diagnostic methods they use in their work help over time to recognize the presence of subcutaneous invasion in the body.
Of the diagnostic methods, studies of feces, blood, scalp and epidermis are mandatory.
The most common subcutaneous helminth infection occurs in countries with a very hot climate: Central Asia, Africa, South America. Therefore, when returning from tourist trips across continents, you need to pay special attention to your health.
Important! It is strictly forbidden to treat yourself with medical and folk remedies - this can aggravate the situation and poison the body. It is necessary not to delay the visit to the doctor and strictly follow the prescribed course of drugs.
There are many types of worms that live in the skin. The invasive species listed below are the main ones.
Filariasis
Subcutaneous helminths of this species are represented by filamentous nematodes, common in tropical states. This type of parasite can live in the skin for several consecutive years and, after its adaptation, migrates through the body and seeks another habitat.
The signs of the disease that appear at the beginning are rashes in the form of hives and spots, accompanied by itching. Then the temperature is added.
Severe signs of filariasis include eczema, ulcers and warts, subcutaneous nodules, severe headache, drowsiness, subcutaneous nodules, and increased fever.
Often the parasite can be found on examination by an ophthalmologist, as it loves to live in the mucous membrane of the eye.
Important! With a premature visit to a doctor, filariasis contributes to the appearance of eye diseases and leads to complete loss of vision.
Schistosomiasis
The parasite of this species lives in warm freshwater rivers and lakes in countries with warm climates. Infection can occur while bathing or drinking raw water.
The parasite affects the skin and urinary system at the same time. Toxic substances that enter the blood strongly poison the body, and this leads to various disorders of the work of many organs and systems.
Signs of parasite infection are: a rash in the form of dermatitis and redness of the skin, unbearable itching, night sweats, liver enlargement, functional disorders of the renal system, sudden rise in temperature.
Schistosomiasis, which occurs with damage to the genitourinary system, blocks the outgoing and incoming ducts of the bladder.
Important! In order not to get infected with this helminth, you can not swim in the stagnant water bodies of the tropics and drink raw water from unknown natural sources.
dracuncoliasis
The disease is caused by rishta - round-parasitic worms, which reach a length of 80 cm. Infection with worms, which are home to tropical climate countries and Central Asia, may be due to the use of raw water or contact with worm-carrying cats and dogs.
The incubation period from the moment of infection with the parasite's eggs and migration through the body is 1. 5 months. Parasites develop and grow throughout the year.
Dracuncoliasis mainly affects the skin of the lower extremities. The parasite is able to twist and open, forming a long swelling on the skin and then a bubble of several centimeters. As soon as the bubble comes into contact with water, it immediately bursts, releasing the larvae, which cause symptoms of severe internal itching.
Important! If therapy and the fight against this type of parasite are not carried out, the person begins to develop sepsis, gangrene inflammation or immobility of the joints.
Scabies
The type of mites up to 0. 4 mm is the culprit in the development of scabies. Parasites can become infected by contact with the sick person's body or with his or her belongings, if the person has severely reduced immunity. Infection occurs when hygiene rules are not followed.
Small parasites that settle on the skin are introduced first into the epidermis, then into the deep layer, and are able to infect the whole body with toxins. Parasites gnaw the passages where they lay their eggs.
Clinical symptoms of the disease appear in the form of a red rash, small blisters and peeling of the skin on: hands, thighs, elbows, knees and hair. If you treat the spots of the rashes with an iodine solution, you can see ticks.
Due to the active development and reproduction of the parasite, a person is tormented by intolerable itching, which intensifies at night, the desire to scratch the skin, as well as after contact with water.
Complications of scabies include the development of furunculosis, eczema, dermatitis, and vesicular lesions of the skin.
Important! In order not to contract scabies, it is necessary to respect the rules of hygiene and avoid contact with people infected with scabies.
demodecosis
This disease, caused by a microscopic mite, is seasonal in nature and appears most often in the fall. The formation of excess fat on the skin in summer and the negative effects of ultraviolet rays undermine local immunity, contributing to the spread of this species of mite.
Parasites can become infected through tactile contact with a sick person, as well as the use of his personal belongings and items of care.
Pathology, according to clinical signs, is very similar to acne, which captures more and more territories. Pink and red papules dot the face and back profusely, leaving rough scars after healing. A person can develop inflammation of the eyelids, vasodilation, and peeling of the eyebrows.
Important! Demodectic mange develops over the years. For an accurate diagnosis of a person, a scraping from the skin is taken. Healing therapy can take up to 3 months.
heartworm disease
Invasion is considered a dangerous parasitic disease, caused by heartworm worms, which reach 30 cm in adulthood. This type of parasite affects the subcutaneous areas, as well as the eye tissue and can cause complete loss of vision.
The incubation period for the development of heartworm disease is several years. A person can become infected with the bite of mosquitoes, which carry parasite eggs from sick cats and dogs.
A seal grows in the skin, accompanied by pain, unbearable itching and hyperemia. The seal can grow to the size of an average egg, in which the coiled helminth lives.
Basically, the parasite lives in the skin, but it can sometimes crawl into the eyes, which leads to visual impairment and loss of vision.
In order not to get infected with this type of worms, it is necessary to fight mosquitoes by all possible methods and use repellents in everyday life.
How to get rid of subcutaneous parasites?
The fight against worms that develop under the skin is based on the use of superficial and pharmacological methods, as well as on surgical operations.
Antiparasitic therapy for each type of helminth can be presented in the form of a table:
| Type of helminthiasis | Methods applied |
|---|---|
| Filariasis | Anthelmintic drug for the treatment of filariasis. In severe cases, surgery. |
| Schistosomiasis | Surgical techniques and antimony are used. At the same time, the restoration of the affected organs is necessary. |
| dracuncoliasis | Neat surgical removal of worms. |
| Scabies | Local remedies: salicylated ointments and sulfuric soap; water-soap suspension; hydrochloric acid solution for 1 week. Immunological preparations. Thorough disinfection of the patient's clothing and household items. Sometimes antibiotics are used. |
| demodecosis | External agents are used: camphor alcohol, as well as thorough cosmetic care (cleansing, masks, peels), the use of hyaluronic acid, alginates. Immunostimulants, vitamin complexes, anti-inflammatory drugs are used. Be sure to treat concomitant pathologies of disorders of the digestive system and metabolism. A healthy diet and physical therapy are essential. |
| heartworm disease | Surgical treatment. The eyeball may need to be removed. |
In most cases, you can get rid of subcutaneous types of helminths thanks to surgery and an intensive course of chemotherapy.
Surface treatment
Methods of surface action are used to combat helminths living in the epidermis (for example, scabies and demodicosis).
External anti-parasitic drugs are rubbed into the skin with scabies. These medicines are rubbed all over the body at night. The course lasts 2 weeks. People who have been in contact with an infected person are advised to perform the same procedures.
With demodicosis, suspensions, ointments, solutions, gels, scrubs, cryotherapy are used, which reduce the secretion of sebum, deprive food and reduce the negative effects of the parasite.
With other types of helminths, external manifestations are removed with the help of ointments with steroids and antibiotics.
All ointments specially selected by doctors relieve inflammation, deprive parasites of motor activity and kill them.
Local procedures should be applied in moderation, avoiding damage to the skin, so as not to disturb the acid-base balance and exclude the attachment of pathogenic microbes to the pathology.
Important! When starting a course of therapy at a warm temperature, it is necessary to wash the linen and warm the pillows in the bright sun.
Medicines
For each type of helminth, its own medicine is applied, which is prescribed by a doctor, based on the stage of the disease.
Some drugs completely kill parasites, others immobilize them and prevent reproduction.
When the helminth dies, a person can manifest signs of intoxication: headache, nausea, vomiting, so the drugs are carefully selected. The intake of enterosorbents is allowed.
The main diseases are necessarily treated with pathologies of other organs. Symptomatic therapy is used.
Surgical methods
The intervention of surgeons is necessary to remove the parasite through the incision.
The operation takes place as usual under local anesthesia. A surgeon must be a virtuoso and a master of his craft, so that when removing a helminth, he pulls it out completely, without dividing it into parts.
Rehabilitation methods after surgery include therapy with antibacterial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antiparasitic drugs.
Prevention of helminthiasis infection
With caution, it is quite possible to prevent subcutaneous worms from entering the body.
Necessarily necessary:
- undergo annual medical examinations;
- consult a doctor for various types of ailments;
- wash your hands thoroughly after going to public places and having tactile contact with strangers and stray animals;
- boil raw water and do not drink it from natural sources;
- do not swim in stagnant water bodies, especially in hot countries;
- fight bloodsucking insects using repellents and protective devices;
- carry out the ordinary and general cleaning of the house, and maintain order.
When traveling in epidemic states, you should observe safety measures and make sure you find all the information on how to protect yourself while traveling.
It is necessary to improve immunity by leading a healthy lifestyle, eating right, hardening and taking vitamin complexes several times a year.
Fighting subcutaneous parasites requires patience and commitment. If all the prescriptions of the doctor are followed, the person will recover completely.