The most unpleasant symptoms, in the form of itching and rashes, can cause subcutaneous parasites in people of all ages. Each invasion brings many health problems due to complications. Types of worms with a long incubation period of several months are particularly dangerous.
Types of parasites living under the skin
The subcutaneous worm can enter the human body: by tactile contact with infected people; from blood-sucking insects that carry the larvae of animal parasites.
The main feature of such an invasion is the difficulty in recognizing the pathology, as at first the infection may be disguised as other somatic diseases.
Captured below the thickness of the skin, the parasite over time is able to move into any internal organs and cause their functional disorders. Helminths feed on blood and use it to hatch larvae.
The main signs of the presence of this type of parasite in the body are severe weakness, reduced efficiency, constant desire to scratch the skin. When these signs appear, it is advisable to consult a specialist: therapist, dermatologist, allergist, infectious disease specialist. The joint work of doctors and the diagnostic methods they use in their work help to identify the presence of subcutaneous invasion in the body.
Examinations of stools, blood, scalp and epidermis are mandatory.
The most common infection with subcutaneous helminths occurs in countries with very warm climates - Central Asia, Africa, South America. Therefore, returning from tourist trips across continents, you should pay special attention to your health.
Important! It is strictly forbidden to treat yourself with medical and folk remedies - this can worsen the situation and poison the body. It is necessary not to delay the visit to the doctor and strictly follow the prescribed course of treatment.
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 countries. This type of parasite can live in the skin for several years in a row and after its own adaptation it migrates through the body and looks for another habitat.
Signs of the disease that appear at the beginning are skin rashes in the form of hives and spots accompanied by itching. The temperature is then added.
Severe signs of filariasis include eczema, ulcers and warts, subcutaneous nodules, severe headache, drowsiness, subcutaneous nodules, and fever.
Often the parasite can be found on examination by an ophthalmologist, as he likes to live in the lining of the eye.
Important! With an untimely visit to the 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 hot climates. Infection can occur while bathing or drinking raw water.
The parasite affects both the skin and the urinary system. Toxic substances entering the blood severely poison the body and this leads to various disorders of many organs and systems.
Signs of infection with the parasite are: rash in the form of dermatitis and redness of the skin, unbearable itching, night sweats, enlarged liver, functional disorders of the renal system, a sudden rise in temperature.
Schistosomiasis, which occurs with damage to the genitourinary system, clogs the outflow and inlet channels of the bladder.
Important! In order not to get infected with this helminth, you can not swim in stagnant water bodies in the tropics and drink raw water from unknown natural sources.
Dracunculiasis
The disease is caused by roundworms - roundworms-parasites, reaching a length of 80 cm. Infection with worms, which are home to countries with tropical climates and Central Asia, may be due to the use of raw water or contact with cats and dogs that areworm carriers.
The incubation period from the moment of infection with the eggs of the parasite and migration through the body is 1, 5 months. The parasites develop and grow throughout the year.
Dracunculiasis mainly affects the skin of the lower extremities. The parasite is able to twist and unfold, forming a long bulge on the skin and then a bubble of a few centimeters. As soon as the balloon comes in contact with water, it immediately bursts, releasing the larvae, which cause symptoms of severe internal itching.
Important! If therapy and control of this type of parasite is not carried out, then the person begins to develop sepsis, gangrenous inflammation or immobilization of the joints.
Scabies
The type of mites up to 0. 4 mm is the culprit for the development of scabies. Parasites can be infected by contact with the patient's body or belongings if the person has severely reduced immunity. Infection occurs when hygiene rules are not followed.
The small parasites that get on the skin are introduced first into the epidermis, then into the deep layer and are able to infect the whole body with toxins. The parasites gnaw through the passages in which they lay eggs.
Clinical symptoms of the pathology appear in the form of a red rash, small blisters and scaling of the skin of: hands, thighs, elbows, knees and hair. If you treat the rash with iodine solution, then you can see the ticks.
Due to the active development and reproduction of the parasite, a person suffers from unbearable 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 skin lesions.
Important! To avoid getting scabies, you should follow the rules of hygiene and avoid contact with people infected with scabies.
Demodectic mange
This disease, caused by microscopic mites, is seasonal and occurs more often in the fall. The formation of excess fat on the skin during the summer and the negative effects of ultraviolet rays undermine the local immunity, contributing to the spread of this type of mite.
Parasites can be infected through tactile contact with a sick person, as well as through the use of his personal belongings and care items.
The pathology, according to clinical signs, is very similar to acne, which covers more and more areas. Pink and red papules abundantly scatter on the face and back, leaving rough scars after healing. A person may develop inflammation of the eyelids, vasodilation and peeling of the eyebrows.
Important! Demodicosis develops over the years. A scraping of the skin is used for an accurate diagnosis of a person. Healing therapy can take up to 3 months.
Heartworm disease
Invasion is considered a dangerous parasitic disease caused by heartworm worms reaching 30 adult years. 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 be infected by mosquito bites that lay eggs on parasites from sick dogs and cats.
A seal grows in the skin, accompanied by soreness, unbearable itching and redness. The seal can grow to the size of an average egg in which the coiled helminth lives.
The parasite usually lives in the skin, but sometimes they can crawl into the eye, leading to visual impairment and vision loss.
In order not to get infected with this type of worms, you need to fight mosquitoes by all possible methods and use repellents in everyday life.
How to get rid of subcutaneous parasites?
The control of worms that develop under the skin is based on the use of superficial and medicinal methods, as well as surgical operations.
Antiparasitic therapy for each type of helminth can be presented in the form of a table:
| Type of helminthiasis | Applied methods |
|---|---|
| Filariasis | Anthelmintic drug for the treatment of filariasis. In severe cases, surgery. |
| Schistosomiasis | Antimony and surgical techniques are used. At the same time, recovery of the affected organs is needed. |
| Dracunculiasis | Surgically neat removal of worms. |
| Scabies | Topical remedies: salicylate ointments and sulfur soap; aqueous soap suspension; hydrochloric acid solution for 1 week. Immunological preparations. Thorough disinfection of the patient's clothing and household items. Antibiotics are sometimes used. |
| Demodectic mange | External agents are used: camphor alcohol, as well as in-depth cosmetic care (cleansing, masks, peeling), the use of hyaluronic acid, alginates. Immunostimulants, vitamin complexes, anti-inflammatory drugs are used. Do not forget to treat concomitant pathologies of disorders of the digestive tract 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.
Superficial treatment
Superficial methods are used to control helminths that live in the epidermis (eg scabies and demodicosis).
External antiparasitic drugs are rubbed into the skin with scabies. These drugs are rubbed all over the body at night. The course lasts 2 weeks. Persons who have been in contact with an infected person are advised to perform the same procedures.
In 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.
In other types of helminths, the external manifestations are removed with the help of ointments with steroids and antibiotics.
All ointments, specially selected by doctors, relieve inflammation, deprive parasites of physical activity and kill them.
Local procedures should be applied sparingly, avoiding skin damage so as not to disturb the acid-base balance and to exclude the attachment of pathogenic microbes to the pathology.
Important! When starting a course of therapy at a hot temperature, it is necessary to wash the laundry and warm the pillows in bright sunlight.
Medicines
Each type of helminth has its own medicine, which is prescribed by a doctor according to the stage of the disease.
Some drugs completely kill the parasites, others immobilize them and prevent them from multiplying.
When the helminth dies, a person may experience signs of intoxication - headache, nausea, vomiting, so the drugs are carefully selected. The intake of enterosorbents is allowed.
The main diseases must be treated with pathologies of other organs. Symptomatic therapy is used.
Surgical methods
Surgery is needed to remove the parasite through the incision.
The operation is performed as usual under local anesthesia. The surgeon must be a virtuoso and a master of his craft, so that when you remove the helminth, you can remove it completely without dividing it into parts.
Rehabilitation methods after surgery include therapy with antibacterial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as antiparasitic drugs.
Prevention of helminthiasis infection
With caution, it is quite possible to prevent subcutaneous worms from entering the body.
Required:
- undergo annual medical examinations;
- consult a doctor for different types of diseases;
- wash your hands thoroughly after visiting public places and tactile contact with unknown and stray animals;
- boil raw water and do not drink it from natural sources;
- do not swim in stagnant water pools, especially in hot countries;
- to control blood-sucking insects with the help of repellents and protective devices;
- perform routine and general cleaning of the house and maintain order.
When traveling to epidemically dangerous countries, you must follow safety precautions and remember to understand all the information on how to protect yourself while traveling.
It is necessary to improve immunity by leading a healthy lifestyle, eating well, hardening and taking vitamin complexes several times a year.
Fighting subcutaneous parasites requires patience and effort. If all the doctor's prescriptions are followed, the person will fully recover.