Subcutaneous parasites in humans: symptoms and treatment

Photos and videos of the symptoms of subcutaneous parasites in humans are not pleasant. Unlike intestinal worms, the existence of which can not even be suspected, epithelial infections are distinct. In this case, the person feels constant discomfort due to the symptoms that accompany the injury. This helps to start the diagnosis of the disease and to start the treatment as soon as possible. A photo of subcutaneous parasites in humans causes almost disgusting feelings, but the symptoms of the infection are much more unpleasant. The image does not transfer a person's senses from the realization that someone is crawling along his body. But epithelial infections are not only an inconvenience, but also a significant risk to the health of the whole body. Toxins secreted by the parasite body can affect all organ systems and the helminths themselves like to spread throughout the human body. Thus, the appearance of dermatological problems can be a sign of danger to the patient's life due to the presence of helminths in the brain, vision organs or heart.

What parasites live on the skin?

Dermatological problems can cause a wide variety of infections. If, during an intestinal infection, the presence of worms is more often detected, then insects and protozoa can also be found under the skin. Mosquitoes, ticks and other blood-sucking parasites usually feed and detach from humans unimaginably, but there are those that continue to live and multiply in the body.

Each of these types of infections has its own ways of entering the human body. The symptoms and effects of the infection also vary greatly. Therefore, the treatment of the disease will be carried out in different ways. But to distinguish one parasitic infection from another and to determine who lives in the body, it is necessary to undergo a long diagnosis. The doctor, knowing the characteristics and habitats of different parasites, will suggest the most probable option even before the start of the examination, focusing only on the symptoms and the patient's travel map around the world.

Parasitic microorganisms

The most common disease of this kind is leishmaniasis. It is caused by the simplest parasites, which gave the name to the pathology. 9 out of 10 infections occur in a few countries:

• Syria?
• Iran?
• Saudi Arabia?
• Afghanistan?
• Peru?
• Brazil.

The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes and certain species of fly. Pathogens do not survive in temperate climates, so you can only become infected with leishmaniasis after resting in warm countries with a tropical climate.

When infected, the infection forms ulcers at the site of insect bites. Over time, it heals and leaves a messy scar. With multiple outbreaks, leishmaniasis can look like leprosy. The risk of this disease is that it passes from the skin to the lymphatic system and can affect the internal organs, gradually destroying them. At the same time, the parasites live inside the cells, so the immune bodies have little use in fighting the protozoa. But after a unique experience of fighting leishmaniasis, immunity develops.

Insects between subcutaneous parasites

Diseases caused by such an invasion are called incisions. There are many varieties of these subcutaneous parasites in humans:

1. Tungiosis.Named after the tropical sand fleas. All you have to do is walk barefoot on the beach or lie down in the sun so that the insect crawls on your body. It is unacceptably hidden under the outer layer of the epithelium until it drinks the blood. The flea then "gets fat" and begins to press on the surrounding tissues, causing discomfort. When it dies, it is excreted from the body with dead skin that peels off. If this does not happen, the tissue may become infected and become abscessed.
2. Dermatosis.The South American human fly injects larvae into human skin. When fully developed, they tear the tissue and leave the body, leaving an open wound. In case of damage to the eyelid and the skin above the cartilage, there are potentially life-threatening consequences.

3. Mite.These diseases are caused by ticks. The most famous scabies, which lives and reproduces under the skin, feeds on its cells. The symptoms of scabies can be easily distinguished from the itchy urticaria by filamentous strips - channels in the epithelium that gnaw the female parasite. Another mite, Demodex, causes dermatitis and baldness.

Most of the time, the insects that live in the human body live in southern countries, because their development requires a stable warm climate. But in some cases, it is enough to visit the sea in the summer to then fight subcutaneous parasites for several months.

Parasitic worms and others

Subcutaneous worms in humans are not difficult to detect. They usually give way in the same way as other infections - through redness, itching and burning. However, in some cases, the epithelium is only an intermediate stop and the main development of the pathology continues in the internal organs:

1. Dirofilariasis.There are several types of helminths. Some prefer to be installed on internal organs, but there are those that affect the skin and eyes. The larvae of the parasite are transmitted by mosquitoes and are found in warm areas. A painful, soft, mobile mass swells at the site of the lesion. It is not dangerous if the infection does not affect the organs of vision. But it requires surgery for treatment.
2. Dracunculiasis.The Rishta worm enters the body with water containing small crustaceans that store larvae in their stomach. Through the intestines, the helminths penetrate the abdominal cavity, where they mate and lay eggs in the muscle tissue in the area of ​​the joints and bones of the legs. When the new worm matures, the larva penetrates the skin and emerges. The only way to relieve the burning sensation and pain is to place the tip in the water. Other methods to get rid of the parasite that has settled in the body have not yet been devised.

3. Schistosomiasis.Not all worms reach under human skin with food. To become infected with schistosomiasis, it is enough to swim in the fresh waters of tropical countries in South America, the Caribbean, Africa or Southeast Asia. The skin lesion looks like scabies and is accompanied by tingling. But after a while, the larvae enter deep into the body, after which the epithelial symptoms disappear and the next stage of the disease develops.
4. Jawbone.Humans are not natural hosts for this parasite. Therefore, worms cannot reproduce in the body. Therefore, the Asian parasite enters the body with fish, frogs or insufficiently heat-treated bird. The larvae begin to migrate after a month. Moving under the skin, they cause itching, redness and pain. Appearance in the abdomen is accompanied by edema.

Once the first signs of worm life appear under the skin, the patient should be examined and treatment initiated. Many parasites can significantly worsen their health status, including disability, if not removed in time.

Diagnostic procedures

Given all the variety of parasites that live under human skin, there is no universal method to help diagnose the cause of the disease. Also, we must not forget that insects and worms are not the only possible sources of dermatological problems. Allergic reactions, fungal growths and bacterial infections are much more likely to cause blisters and dermatitis.

The first stage of human parasite search begins with an examination. The doctor conducts an examination, examines the affected areas and asks for other symptoms. Thus he will be able to limit the search area and, in some cases, for example, with dracunulasia and dirofilariasis, to prescribe treatment immediately.

If the physical examination did not help to fully clarify the image, laboratory and hardware diagnostic methods are assigned:

1. Blood test.The general analysis reveals the picture of the body's reactions to the infection. Thus a specialist can determine the nature of the disease. When conducting biochemistry, it is worth paying attention to the indicators of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and eosinophil content. If they are elevated, this means that helminthiasis is very likely. ELISA analysis is the most accurate. It will help determine in the presence of antibodies even the exact type of parasite, if it is present in the body.
2. Stool analysis.Many subcutaneous worms initially rely on the gut. Examining the stool, you can find helminth eggs and start treatment.

3. Biopsy.Analysis of the affected tissues, the contents of the abscess and the cells, the swollen lymph nodes can also reveal a picture of the disease.
4. Ultrasound, X-rays, CT and magnetic resonance imaging.Various methods of "scanning" the body will help locate the source of infection under the skin and internal organs. In some cases, this is the only effective diagnostic method.

Some infections can only be diagnosed after treatment, when the parasite is removed under the skin.

Treatment of parasitic diseases

Depending on the type of parasite, doctors should use different methods to get rid of the infection:

1. The simplest microorganisms are destroyed by a series of antibiotics. It must be accompanied by symptomatic treatment.
2. You can get rid of ticks using specialized ointments and tablets. At the same time, dermatitis can only be treated with surgery, removing the larvae from under the skin.
3. The treatment method for helminthiasis depends directly on the type of parasite. Thus dirofilariasis is treated only surgically. Anti-cosmetics will help you get rid of schistosomes and intestinal parasites. And the cure for dracunculiasis is not provided at all. A person has to wait for the worm to leave the body alone and fight the symptoms: pain and inflammation.

In any case, it is necessary to undergo a full examination by a doctor and start treatment under his guidance, in order to ensure the complete elimination of parasites.