Helminths are subcutaneous parasites that live in the human body. They feed on host cells, releasing toxic substances. Infection with parasites can lead to serious illness, in the worst case to death. Depending on the type of worm, the places of their dislocation differ. Some multiply in organs, some live under human skin, causing the development of dermatoses.
Types of subcutaneous parasites and methods of infection
Parasitic skin diseases are not a common type of pathology. Nevertheless, cases of the disease have been reported. They are most likely after visiting Asian regions and countries with warm climates. Parasites in the human body cause an allergic reaction, followed by unbearable itching.
In medicine, worms are divided into two types:
- Subcutaneous. Helminths are difficult to diagnose. After infection and the maturation phase, parasites move through the human body. The most common types of subcutaneous helminths are: iron, scabies mites, filariasis, scab.
- Dermal. After contact with human skin, the parasites migrate to different parts of the body. As a result of infection with skin parasites, inflammation of the pancreas, development of scaly lichen, eczematosis and diabetes mellitus occur.
Common cases include tick-borne infection localized in the sebaceous glands. It is characterized by access to the surface of the epidermis during the day to feed secretions from the skin canals.
Filariasis
Filariasis is the defeat of a person by parasites of the nematode type. It is located in the countries of the Asian region, as well as in places with a tropical climate. The most likely way of getting infected is when you visit resorts. The main danger of parasites is a long incubation period. Without showing symptoms, worms can live under the skin for 5 to 7 years. Pests are characterized by excessive vital activity, which causes symptoms of intoxication in the patient.
In the early stages, the disease has signs of urticaria. As worms grow and multiply, there is a loss of vision, the formation of motile seals and fever. In the later stages, the localization of the worm is determined with the naked eye.
Dracunculiasis
Dracunculiasis is a disease caused by a subcutaneous helminth infection. They are capable of living in open waters. Human infestation occurs during travel, when drinking raw water from untested sources. In an infected person, the larvae are localized below the upper layer of the epidermis. The presence of even one parasite without proper treatment leads to death. Adult helminths 100 centimeters long have been registered in world practice. They are able to occupy the entire space of the stomach, liver or block the airways.
Most often, helminths are localized in the lower extremities of a person.
The main symptoms of the lesion include:
- rash on the legs;
- creating fluid-filled blisters;
- unbearable itching;
- appearance of bumps;
- purulent formations.
The main treatment is surgical removal of helminths from the body.
Schistosomiasis
The disease is caused by a number of helminth species found in water bodies. The infection occurs when swimming in rivers and lakes of the African and Asian regions. Another way of infection is untested drinking water. It is the source of the spread of eggs and larvae of parasites. Initially, helminths are localized below the epidermis. An allergic rash forms on the skin, followed by itching. As the disease progresses, the larvae penetrate deep into the body. The patient's kidneys and liver are severely affected. The disease is accompanied by night fever, profuse sweating. Enlarged liver and deformed kidneys can help diagnose infection.
cysticercosis
Cysticercosis is a disease associated with human infection with swine tapeworm. The parasite belongs to the category of persistent, 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 sufficient. Parasites are very regenerative, which complicates the healing process.
The main signs of damage include urticaria, itching, general weakness, pain. Worms are often found under the skin, in muscles, eyes, internal organs and the brain. During adult development, tubercle or induration forms under the skin. It can increase over time, bringing inconvenience. The main places of breeding pig tapeworm are the area of shoulders, chest, arms, palms.
Dirofilaria
The main mode of infection with worms is the penetration of larvae by insect bites or contact with animals. Temporary vectors of larvae are cats and dogs, vectors are mosquitoes. The female worm is 30 centimeters long, the male 10 centimeters.
The development of the parasite occurs below the upper layer of the epidermis.
Eggs remain on human skin after a mosquito bite. The hatched larva penetrates deep into the skin through the injured area of skin. There he goes through all the stages of growing up. The disease is accompanied by unbearable itching. Seals have been recorded in areas of worm localization. The patient feels the movement of adults under the skin. Vision loss is possible if they are affected by helminths.
Worm treatment is performed by an operative method. After the operation, patients are shown medications that restore the skin and affected organs.
Scabies
Scabies is an infection of a person with scabies mites. The disease is named after a strong, unbearable itch all over the body. In places where ticks are localized, people develop redness and blemishes.
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, the diagnosis can be made with iodine. When it comes in contact with infected skin, a cobweb becomes noticeable - the way ticks move under the skin of an infected person.
The main symptoms of scabies include:
- itching and redness of the skin;
- creating fluid-filled blisters when scratching the skin;
- localization of lesions on the hands and joints.
Treating the disease is long and arduous. It is almost impossible to completely eliminate parasites.
Demodectic mange
Demodectic mange is a human infection with subcutaneous ticks. They are localized in the sebaceous glands of the infected. In the initial stages, the disease can be easily mistaken for acne. As the mites multiply, the rash increases and spreads throughout the face. Eyelash loss begins.
The diagnosis of demodicosis is simple. For this, a visual inspection and a series of laboratory tests are performed. The treatment of the disease is long. In some cases, it takes several years. Tick infection occurs through direct contact with the patient, the use of personal belongings or cosmetic products of the infected person. 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 the internal organs. Depending on the pathogen in the person, the symptoms appear in a peculiar way. Nevertheless, there are a number of signs, when they appear, it is recommended to consult a specialist.
You can find out about worms in the body by a few signs:
- general weakness;
- temperature rise up to 39 ° C;
- itchy skin of varying intensity;
- appearance of skin rash;
- gastrointestinal tract disorder;
- creating a stamp on the skin.
It is important to note that an early visit to the doctor allows the body to quickly get rid of parasites that live under human skin.
Diagnostic characteristics
Subcutaneous parasites in humans are difficult to diagnose. For that reason, at the first suspicion of a lesion, it is necessary to consult specialists. The complexity of the diagnosis is directly related to the latent course of the disease. Basically, vivid symptoms appear only a few years after defeat, which negatively affects health.
Numerous symptoms indicate helminthic invasion, but there is no general clinical picture of the manifestation. It is necessary to exclude the defeat of the patient with helminths in the case of redness of the skin, the appearance of constant itching, various sealants on the skin.
A visit to a number of specialists allows you to make the correct diagnosis:
- dermatologist;
- neuropathologist;
- allergist;
- infectious disease specialist;
- psychologist.
Consultations with psychologists are held if there are no deviations in the direction of other specialists.
To clarify the diagnosis, patients are given laboratory tests:
- blood test for antigens;
- examination of a skin sample;
- smear;
- secret research;
- scraping from 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 last six months before the onset of symptoms, this fact must be reported to your doctor.
The diagnosis of subcutaneous parasites requires the appointment of a competent therapeutic regimen. In this situation, the use of drugs or methods of traditional medicine that are not recommended by a doctor is prohibited. Violation of the treatment regimen can lead to worsening and poisoning of the organism.
Effective treatments
In medical practice, there are two methods of treating parasites: medical and surgical. Depending on the complexity of the lesion, the doctor uses one method or both in combination. The choice of therapeutic methods of treatment depends on the health risk of the patient and the characteristics of the parasite.
The choice of therapy method is influenced by:
- the number of parasites in the patient's body;
- regenerative ability of worms;
- reproduction rate;
- localization of parasites;
- allergic reactions of the patient;
- severity of the disease;
- possible or existing complications.
Medication treatment involves taking a course of medication. The action of drugs includes exposure in several directions:
- Destroying adult worms and larvae in the body, preventing their reproduction. Anthelmintic drugs are used for this.
- Removal of inflammation and destruction of foci of infection. For that, a course of antibiotic therapy is conducted.
- Accelerate the elimination of toxins and eliminate allergic reactions. The patient is prescribed a course of antihistamines and glucocorticoid drugs.
- Healing of the affected areas of the skin. Creams and ointments are used to accelerate the regenerative function of the epidermis.
Surgical treatment of subcutaneous parasites is recommended in cases when there are serious complications and there is a special location of the worm. The operation showed high efficiency in cases when it is known that only one person affects the organism. Surgical intervention is most often used for dracunculiasis. The internal fluid of the worm contains toxic substances that can cause anaphylactic shock. In this case, holistic extraction of parasites is shown.
Prevention methods
Infection with skin parasites in humans requires prolonged therapy. The problem can be avoided by taking a number of preventive measures:
- Adherence to the rules of hygiene. Hands should be washed under running water with soap or antiseptic. Especially after contact with unknown animals or stray animals. Scratches, cuts and other damage to the skin should be treated with antiseptic.
- Product processing. Fresh vegetables and fruits should be thoroughly washed 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 must be treated. Open water bodies and springs deserve special attention.
- Routine vaccination. Before traveling to tropical countries, it is necessary to be vaccinated against serious diseases.
- General use of makeup. Women should avoid sharing makeup, even with close friends.
- Swimming in open waters. Bathing in polluted or untested waters is prohibited. During the hot season, preference should be given to water bodies that have been tested for water quality.
A responsible attitude towards one's own health and adherence to preventive measures helps prevent parasitic skin diseases.