There are a large number of protozoa that can only exist in the host body. For most of them, the main bearers are people. And once they have penetrated the human body, these creatures can live anywhere, but subcutaneous parasites are considered the most common. They are the ones who deliver the most unpleasant moments, including the development of complications, so it is necessary to consult a doctor at the first signs of infection.
Types of parasites that live under the skin
The simplest, whose main bearer is a person, are divided into two main groups:
- Leather
- Subcutaneous.
The first includes insects such as: lice, fleas, bed bugs. They live in a person's hair and skin, feed on his blood and can carry various dangerous diseases. But still, skin parasites are considered less dangerous than subcutaneous ones. The latter, who live in human skin, not only feed on its cells, but also raise their offspring in it. Therefore, it is much harder to deal with skin parasites in humans than with skin parasites.
Many protozoa and helminths live under human skin, which can lead to the development of various types of diseases, such as:
- Filariasis
- Dracunculiasis
- Schistosomiasis
- Hookworm disease
- cysticercosis
- Scabies.
And the most unpleasant thing is that it is often very difficult to make a correct diagnosis, because the symptoms of such diseases are often reminiscent of a normal allergic reaction. Consequently, the treatment of dermatoses takes a very long time.
To get an idea of what subcutaneous parasites a person may have and how they manifest, consider the signs of infection with each of the above.
Filariasis
This species does not live in our country, but it is easily infected when visiting Africa, South America and Asia. An infection occurs when a person is bitten by a blood-sucking insect, such as a mosquito. As for the incubation period, this type of dermatosis can reach 7 years.
The initial symptoms of this parasitic skin disease are often mild fever and hives and are often ignored.
And only after a few years on the skin begin to appear:
- ulcers
- Warts
- nodules
- papules.
Eczema can develop over time. In some cases, they can be accompanied by mild weakness, headache, fever, which allows us to conclude that the patient has filariasis. This disease is caused by filamentous nematodes.
But if measures are not taken in time, then parasitic skin diseases can lead to complications such as osteoarthritis and vision problems.
The use of mosquito repellents will help avoid infection. By treating exposed areas of the 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 a length of more than one meter. The feature of this species is that not only a person can serve as a carrier, but also domestic animals: cats, dogs. These parasites are most common in Central Asia.
Guinea worm larvae enter the human body by eating raw, untreated water. After 2 weeks they begin their way through the body of the carrier, and after 1. 5 months they penetrate the subcutaneous regions. The larva will develop into an adult only after one year.
The symptoms of scabies infection are difficult to confuse with another disease. Initially, an elongated swollen area resembling a small lace appears on the skin in the area of the legs. Then a bubble is formed in its place, inside which are helminth eggs. And when the water enters, it bursts, which allows new larvae to enter the environment.
If you do not start treatment on time, complications occur in the form of:
- Inflammation of the joints
- Gangrene
- Sepsis, which is caused by abscesses formed on the skin.
As for the fight against this parasite of human skin, it consists in its removal from the skin tissue. Moreover, this process can take several days if a large individual is parasitic in the patient's body. The only condition is not to break the worm.
To avoid dracunculiasis infection, you must drink only 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 swimming in them puts you at risk of becoming infected. This type of helminth parasitizes not only on human skin, but also in genitourinary organs. In the initial stage of development, the disease is manifested by rash, itching, dermatitis. In the future, there are signs of kidney damage, and the liver may increase.
This disease is treated with antimony-based drugs. But it is better to avoid infection by following simple rules: refuse to bathe in standing water and use only boiled water.
Hookworm disease
These parasites enter under the skin through cracks in the soles or wounds on other parts of the body. But most often they still affect the lower limbs and stay there without migrating through the body.
Hookworm disease is expressed by the following symptoms:
- severe itching at the site of the parasite;
- skin changes;
- occurrence of anemia.
The most unpleasant thing about the infection is the fact that this disease is quite difficult to treat and it is not always possible to achieve a positive result.
cysticercosis
Tapeworm larvae can also parasitize under human skin. The main habitats of these parasites in the human body are internal organs, where they penetrate food or water infected with helminths. But still, cases of their development under the skin are not uncommon, and they can live there for years.
Symptoms of cysticercosis infection are swelling and neoplasms at the site where the parasite entered. They thicken over time. In rare cases, the infection may be accompanied by a rash.
The only way to get rid of them is surgery in the complex and taking antiparasitic drugs.
Scabies
Today, this disease is quite rare, but literally 50 years ago, it was one of the most common diseases caused by parasites. Its appearance is caused by the microscopic size of scabies mites penetrating under a person's skin. Moreover, it prefers to settle in the deep layers of the skin, where it feeds on the epithelium and lays eggs in it.
The life cycle of an adult is no longer than two months. But during this time the female manages to lay more than a dozen eggs. The tick most often affects the hands, folds, armpits, soles. But it can also be found on the mammary glands and genitals.
Infection with this parasite leads to the development of scabies, which is determined by obvious signs, such as clearly visible passages, crusts at the places of scratching, rash, itching, which intensifies at night. Improper treatment of scabies can lead to the development of dermatitis and eczema, which worsen in the autumn.
Such a disease is treated with sulfur ointment or hydrochloric acid solution and the use of sulfur soap. Antibiotics may be prescribed for extensive lesions. But to avoid re-infection, it is necessary to boil the bedding and clothes of the patient and iron it with hot iron on both sides. Therefore, it is easier to adhere to personal hygiene and avoid contact with the infected - it will help you not to get sick.
Identification and diagnosis of subcutaneous parasites
You can usually visually determine if a person is infected or not. However, in any case, the patient will be given an examination, which will help determine the location of the lesion and the number of parasites more precisely.
Parasitic skin diseases are diagnosed:
- Taking scrapings and swabs from mucous membranes;
- Blood test for the presence of antibodies in it.
And only after getting all the results, the doctor can determine the treatment regimen and prescribe drugs that can destroy the parasite.
Treatment methods depend on the type of disease. In some cases, even surgery may be needed. But most often it is possible to pass by using various drugs.
Disease prevention
Because the removal of 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, undercooked meat products and close contact with infected people.