Signs of parasites living under human skin

Unfortunately, parasites can live and feed not only on a person's internal organs, but also penetrate under the skin. This causes a number of diseases that have their own specifics. It is important to diagnose the cause of the unpleasant symptoms in time and start treatment before the parasitic worms do great damage to the body. Most parasites that live under the skin can only be infected in tropical latitudes: swimming in a stagnant pond, drinking unboiled water, or falling victim to a bloodsucking insect. But some individuals "settle" into your body without leaving your home.

Varieties of diseases and parasites

Medicine distinguishes several diseases, the diagnosis of which indicates subcutaneous worms in humans.

1. cysticercosis. Its causative agents are the larvae of pig tapeworms. Most often, they enter the body with water or unboiled food. These worms are located in Organs internal organs, eyes, brain, muscles and under the skin (they are seen in the shoulders, palms, chest). Such parasites can live on a person for years, thickenings and bumps form under the epidermis, which thickens over time. The diagnosis is slightly facilitated by urticaria, which is constantly manifested by skin rashes.
2. Schistosomiasis. This disease is caused by helminths that live in the waters of Africa and Asia. Worms affect the genitourinary system and the skin. The main symptoms are itching, rashes, dermatitis, profuse sweating at night, kidney damage, liver enlargement.
3. Filariasis. These are thread-like nematodes that live in South America, Asia and Africa. They are transmitted by blood-sucking insects. The disease develops for a long time (up to seven years), but causes various skin pathologies: ulcers, eczema, nodules, papules, rashes. If a person does not pay attention to constant headaches, drowsiness, sleep disturbances and general weakness, complications can develop in the form of arthrosis, glaucoma, cataracts.

4. Scabies. The scabies mite half a century ago was quite common. It settles in the deep layers of the epithelium, feeding on it and laying eggs there. The female of the parasite lives for about two months, but manages to lay several dozen eggs under the skin. The tick breaks through passages in the epithelium, and this is what causes intense itching. Locations - Folds on the body, sides of thighs, mammary glands, armpits, genitals and hair. Human skin is covered with rashes, pimples, boils and other complications occur.
5. Heartworm. These are parasites that can exist not only subcutaneously, but also affect the eyeball. Females of these worms reach a length of up to 30 cm, and males - up to 10. Carriers of worms of this species are dogs and cats, and by biting them, mosquitoes carry microfilaria larvae to humans. In this case, the development of an adult in the body can take years. According to statistics, most of the removal of the eyeballs falls precisely on the diagnosis of heartworm, after a total deterioration of vision, up to blindness. Seals form under the skin, which itch, turn red, and can reach the size of an egg. It is in them that the adult worm is located.
6. Dracunculosis (Guinea worm). They are round worms, reaching a length of up to 120 centimeters. More common in tropical climates. In addition to humans, dogs and cats are also affected. You can get infected with them by drinking unboiled water, swimming in polluted reservoirs. Once in the body in the form of a larva, the worm reaches adulthood only after one year of life in a person. Most often, the legs suffer from this disease: it is they that are prone to complications such as the development of contractures, inflammation of the joints. Also, the presence of Guinea worm inside a person is fraught with gangrene and blood poisoning.
7. Ankylostomiasis. Worm-causing agents live in tropical and subtropical climates. Hookworms are introduced under a person's skin through the slightest damage to the skin (usually the legs), and remain there to parasitize. The disease manifests itself with symptoms such as severe itching, sometimes there is a cough, anemia, there are signs of damage to internal organs.
8. Demodicosis. This is one of the most common skin diseases. It occurs due to the penetration of the agent causing the tick subcutaneously. This is a non-helminthic disease, but the pest also lives in the layers of the epidermis (in the meibomian ducts and sebaceous glands). Symptoms of parasites: profuse and pronounced acne on the face, cheeks, forehead and around the eyes, sometimes there is loss of eyelashes.

Diagnosis, symptoms and signs

If subcutaneous worms and parasites are suspected, it is necessary to see a doctor as soon as possible, because some individuals live in people for several years before they "please" the symptoms. Therefore, at the time of detection, the parasites already have time to cause damage to health.

As the clinical picture of worms and other subcutaneous inhabitants is quite ambiguous and many symptoms appear individually, there is usually no unambiguous list of signs. There are several indicators that can indicate subcutaneous parasites: constant itching, skin irritation, seals of various sizes, rashes, small blisters on the surface of the epithelium, indirectly - sleep disturbances, fatigue. To find out the etiology of such manifestations and exclude helminthic invasion, you need to visit several specialists, among them:

• dermatologist;
• neuropathologist;
• allergist;
• infectious disease specialist;
• psychologist (if previous specialists did not find pathologies in your profile).

Diagnosis occurs in several ways, depending on symptoms:

• blood test for antigens;
• examination of the epidermis sample;
• spot;
• carrying a secret;
• scraping.

It is these indicators that can detect the presence or absence of parasites on a person's skin.

Traditional pest control methods

Treatment directly depends on the type of parasitic worm. In each individual case, an appropriate therapy is selected, taking into account the age and stage of neglect of the problem. Most drugs are quite toxic not only to the worm, but also to the human body.

• getting rid of dracunculiasis is possible only through a surgical operation;
• the scabies parasite is effectively expelled by hydrochloric acid and sulfuric soap;
• with schistosomiasis, an antimony drug will help;
• the body is relieved of demodicosis by a line of cosmetics for facial skin care (special soap for washing, cream).

Along with traditional drug treatment, the patient needs to tighten hygiene procedures, carefully monitor the cleanliness of the body, facilities, clothes, and avoid unnecessary contact with people. In some cases, you will need diet foods, skin care cosmetics.

Prevention of subcutaneous worms

With helminthic invasions, you have to be very careful, as it is quite simple to install parasites in the body, and it can take years for a correct diagnosis and cure.

To minimize the risk of worm infection subcutaneously, doctors advise to remember the following rules:

1. before traveling to countries with a tropical climate, it is necessary to be vaccinated;
2. always follow the rules of hygiene: wash your hands after contact with a large number of people, money, after going to the toilet, before eating;
3. women should not use someone else's cosmetics, as there is a high risk of bringing parasite (or tick) larvae to the skin;
4. fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly washed before use, but it is better to pour boiling water, subject meat to prolonged thermal effects, boil water for drinking;
5. carefully treat any damage to the skin with antiseptics, especially in the tropics;
6. don't swim in dirty and dubious waters.

If the parasites have settled under the skin, this is a reason to contact a dermatologist as soon as possible. He will be able to determine the type of worm and prescribe the appropriate treatment. In most cases, the patient awaits conservative therapy, including taking anthelmintic drugs and other drugs that relieve the symptoms of the disease in humans.