Often, when we hear about parasites, we probably imagine helminths, but in fact their number today is large.
Many of them may exist in the upper layers of the epithelium and in the subcutaneous fat, remaining invisible to the carrier.
Subcutaneous worm can enter the human body: through tactile contact with infected people; from blood-sucking insects that carry parasite larvae from animals.
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.
The main signs of the presence of this type of parasite in the body are severe weakness, decreased performance and the constant desire to scratch the skin. When these signs appear, it is advisable to see a specialist: therapist, dermatologist, allergist, infectologist. The joint work of physicians and the diagnostic methods used by them in their work help to recognize in time the presence of subcutaneous invasion in the body.
Types of helminths
There are a variety of subcutaneous worms that can leave a lot of trouble with their appearance. It is possible to detect their presence if you pay attention to certain symptoms. With timely diagnosis of the disease, it will be much easier to get rid of unwanted guests.
To get an idea of how to quickly recognize their presence, we suggest you get acquainted with the most well-known representatives:
filariasis
This type of helminthiasis is found exclusively in the tropics. Therefore, when traveling, be as careful as possible, it will not be difficult to take.
Pathogens are a major risk, as the duration of the incubation period can reach 5 to 7 years while they are actively reproducing. They show no sign of their presence, continuing throughout these years to absorb nutrients and vitamins in the body.
Dracunculiasis
The parasite can cross the future carrier into the helminth-infected water. It is impossible to determine the presence of the larvae of this parasite in water with the naked eye; moreover, neither the equipment nor the special analyzes will be able to determine it. The danger lies in the fact that an inconspicuous larva can reach one meter in its mature state. As a rule, infection with dracunculiasis leads to death.
It should be understood that death is due to the fact that a meter-tall helminth occupies a large part of the stomach and easily penetrates the lungs, thus blocking the entry into the oxygen supply. But, as a rule, pathogens are located in the lower extremities, so deaths are quite rare in modern medicine.
Scabies
This type of disease is by far the most popular. It will not be an exaggeration that, perhaps, every second inhabitant of the planet has encountered this unpleasant disease. The main symptom of this disease is constant itching of the skin.
If you look closely, you can determine exactly where the worms are, in the place of their localization, you can observe redness and noticeable irritation of the skin. In addition to intense itching, an infected person no longer has unpleasant symptoms.
On a note.Transmission is carried out from the sick to the healthy, through physical contact, and when the same things are used.
Diagnosis is almost impossible without the availability of special equipment; it is possible to determine, as mentioned earlier, only the place of their mass accumulation. The cause of irritation is explained by the fact that parasitic mites enter under the epithelium disturbing the upper layer of the epithelium, thus leaving visible traces.
demodicosis
Pathogens prefer sebaceous glands as habitat. Their appearance is accompanied by purulent formations on the face, which are so easily confused with acne. The more intense the parasite develops, the more noticeable it is on the face. In addition to abscesses, it should be said about another symptom that may seem even more unpleasant - the loss of eyelashes.
Careful.Diagnosis of this parasite is quite simple compared to other species. An experienced doctor will not even prescribe special tests to ascertain the presence of helminthiasis, it is enough for him to perform only a visual examination of the patient. The fact that the treatment lasts several years is also unpleasant. Removal of the disease is quite difficult, so even with continuous treatment, it can take more than a year.
dirofilariaza
These parasites are transmitted to humans through physical contact with an infected animal, usually carried by our pets. Roundworms enter the human body fairly quickly, one of the carriers may be a mosquito.
To notice this is quite simple, the bite becomes dense, inflammation and itching appear. The parasite settles in the body and begins active life. The most important symptom that will allow you to immediately establish an accurate diagnosis is the feeling of agitation.
This is due to the fact that adults can move freely. Cases have been reported where infected persons have seen a helminth under the skin and may even come out through the mucosa of the eye.
Strongyloidiasis
The larvae of this parasite easily penetrate the epidermis, for this it is enough to just walk on the ground barefoot.
In addition to severe itching, redness, and noticeable inflammation, the skin of the infected person is covered with red blisters.
Schistosomiasis
The pathogen is found in Africa and Asia, lives exclusively in fresh water. Penetrates easily into the human body. Prefers to be on human skin or in the genitourinary system. During his lifetime, he releases products that are toxic to humans. Toxins seriously damage the body and cause severe poisoning.
The appearance of this or that parasite is associated with certain symptoms, so an experienced doctor will usually diagnose it even before receiving the results of a thorough medical examination. The survey aims not only to confirm its presence, but also to determine the exact location, as well as the approximate number of individuals.
Symptoms
What symptoms appear depends on the parasites with which the person is infected. There are significant differences, but most of the symptoms are typical of subcutaneous worms. Let's highlight the main symptoms:
- Skin lesion. It can appear in the form of a severe rash, redness, acne, severe itching, in some cases the traces of worms are visible.
- General illness. Not only toxic residues can affect the general condition of the patient, it should be understood that worms feed on nutrients from the carrier body, while the carrier body does not receive beneficial substances. In this regard, weakness increases, a person gets tired quickly, fever and insomnia may be observed.
- Often, worms penetrate other vital organs, thus disrupting their work.
- Among subcutaneous helminths, quite often there are individuals, whose movement is well felt by the carrier.
filariasis
Primary symptoms, which may last for the first few years, include:
- urticaria, with the appearance of extensive red spots;
- severe itching;
- Increased temperature;
- feverish condition.
After a certain time, the primary symptoms are replaced by more serious manifestations, such as p. sh.
- eczema, warts, ulcers;
- sleep disturbance (increased drowsiness, insomnia);
- persistent migraine;
- subcutaneous nodes;
- some individuals become visible when examining the patient's eye.
For your information.Such a condition requires serious medical intervention, as the prolonged presence of the pathogen can lead to vision loss, the development of a tumor.
Scabies
Accompanied by the following symptoms:
- the appearance of a rash and redness;
- blisters may appear on the affected areas;
- when iodine is applied to the affected area of skin, the worm transitions become visible;
- persistent itching;
- severe peeling of the skin.
Schistosomiasis
Accompanied by the following symptoms:
- skin rash;
- persistent itching;
- increased sweating, especially at night;
- hyperthermia;
- liver size increases.
dirofilariaza
Accompanied by the following symptoms:
- an allergic reaction of the body;
- Increased temperature;
- severe fatigue, weakness;
- mixed.
demodicosis
Accompanied by the following symptoms:
- severe acne;
- eyelash loss.
Dracunculiasis
Accompanied by the following symptoms:
- there is inflammation of the joints of the lower extremities;
- gangrene;
- blood poisoning.
The emergence of such a disease poses a significant threat to human life and health. Many pathogens are carefully hidden for several years after infection, but then their size increases significantly and the manifestation under the skin becomes visible.
The location of the subcutaneous worm can be not only the upper layers of the epithelium and sebaceous glands, but it is much more dangerous when the helminths move freely through the body, as vital organs can be affected.
Treatment
To date, there are many effective recommendations for treating such diseases. It is important to understand that the physician should prescribe treatment after receiving the necessary results of a thorough medical examination of the patient. In some cases, complications and the appearance of lateral diseases caused by helminths are observed.
Important.Complex drug therapy may be prescribed as treatment, but you should be aware that most drugs are highly toxic, so you may notice a significant worsening of the condition caused by the treatment.
Often, surgical intervention is required to get rid of subcutaneous helminths. Most often, hydrochloric acid and sulfuric soap are used for scabies.
Treatment for subcutaneous worms can cause a lot of problems, cost a lot of time and money. Therefore, it is easier to prevent infection, for this you only need to adhere to the rules of personal hygiene. It is recommended that you do not have physical contact with an infected person.
