Often, when we hear about parasites, we certainly imagine helminths, but in fact their number is large today.
Many of them can exist in the upper layers of the epithelium and in the subcutaneous fat, remaining invisible to the wearer.
The subcutaneous worm can enter the human body: by tactile contact with infected persons; from blood-sucking insects carrying parasite larvae from animals.
The main feature of such an invasion is the difficulty in recognizing the pathology, because in the beginning, the infection can be disguised as other somatic diseases.
The main signs of the presence of this type of parasite in the body are severe weakness, reduced performance and a constant desire to scratch the skin. When these signs appear, it is advisable to contact specialists: therapist, dermatologist, allergist, infectologist. The joint work of doctors and the diagnostic methods they use in their work help to recognize the presence of subcutaneous invasion in the body in time.
Types of helminths
There are a large number of subcutaneous worms that can leave a lot of problems with their appearance. Their presence can be detected if you pay attention to certain symptoms. With timely diagnosis of the disease, getting rid of unwanted guests will be much easier.
To have an idea of how to quickly recognize their presence, we suggest you get acquainted with the most popular representatives:
Filariasis
This type of helminthiasis is found exclusively in tropical areas. Therefore, when traveling, be extremely careful, it will not be difficult for you to pick it up.
Pathogens are a great danger, because the duration of incubation can reach 5 to 7 years, while they are actively multiplying. They do not show any signs of their presence, continuing to absorb nutrients and vitamins in the body all these years.
Dracunculiasis
Parasitosis can affect the future carrier in water infected with helminths. It is impossible to determine the presence of larvae of this parasite in the water with the naked eye, moreover, neither the device nor special analyzes will be able to determine. The danger lies in the fact that an inconspicuous larva in the mature state can reach a meter. As a rule, dracunculiasis infection leads to death.
It must be understood that the death is caused by the fact that the adult helminth, meters long, occupies a large part of the stomach and easily penetrates the lungs, thus blocking access to the oxygen supply. But, as a rule, pathogens are found 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 nasty disease. The main symptom of this disease is constant itching of the skin.
If you look carefully, you can determine exactly where the worms are, you can notice noticeable redness and skin irritation at the place of their localization. Apart from intense itching, the infected person no longer has any unpleasant symptoms.
Note.Transmission is done from the sick to the healthy, through physical contact, as well as the use of the same things.
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 penetrate under the epithelium, disrupting the upper layer of the epithelium, leaving noticeable traces.
demodectic mange
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 intensely the parasite develops, the more noticeable it is on the face. In addition to abscesses, there is another symptom that may seem even more unpleasant - eyelash loss.
Attention.The diagnosis of this parasite is quite simple compared to other species. An experienced doctor will not even prescribe special tests to determine the presence of helminthiasis, it is enough to perform only a visual examination of the patient. The fact that the treatment lasts for several years is also unpleasant. Getting rid of the disease is quite difficult, and even with constant treatment it can take more than a year.
heartworm disease
These parasites are transmitted to humans through physical contact with an infected animal, which is usually carried by our pets. Ocal worms enter the human body quite quickly, one of the vectors can be a mosquito.
It is quite easy to notice, the bite becomes thick, inflammation and itching appear. The parasite settles in the body and begins an active life. The most important symptom that will allow you to immediately make an accurate diagnosis is a feeling of confusion.
This is due to the fact that adults can move freely. There have been cases where infected people have seen helminths under the skin, and it can also come out through the mucous membrane of the eye.
Strongyloidiasis
The larvae of this parasite easily penetrate the epidermis, for that 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, living exclusively in freshwater. It easily penetrates the human body. It is preferred in human skin or in the genitourinary system. During its life, it releases products that are toxic to humans. Toxins seriously damage the body and cause severe poisoning.
The appearance of this or that parasite is accompanied by certain symptoms, so an experienced doctor will usually diagnose it before receiving the results of a complete medical examination. The research aims not only to confirm his presence, but also to determine his exact location, as well as the approximate number of people.
Symptoms
Which symptoms appear depends on which parasites the person is infected with. There are significant differences, but most of the symptoms are typical of subcutaneous worms. Let's highlight the main symptoms:
- Skin lesion. It can manifest itself in the form of a strong rash, redness, acne, severe itching, in some cases traces of worms are visible.
- General weakness. Not only can toxic waste products affect the general condition of the patient, it should be borne in mind that worms feed on nutrients from the carrier's body while the carrier's body does not receive beneficial substances. In this regard, weakness increases, the person gets tired quickly, fever and insomnia can be noticed.
- Often worms penetrate other vital organs and thus interfere with their work.
- Subcutaneous helminths often include individuals whose movement is well felt by the wearer.
Filariasis
Primary symptoms, which may last for the first few years, include:
- urticaria, with the appearance of extensive red spots;
- severe itching;
- temperature rise;
- feverish state.
After some time, the primary symptoms are replaced by more serious manifestations, such as:
- eczema, warts, ulcers;
- sleep disorders (increased drowsiness, insomnia);
- continuous migraine;
- subcutaneous nodules;
- some people become noticeable when examining the patient's eye.
For your information.Such a condition requires serious medical intervention, because the prolonged presence of pathogens can lead to vision loss, tumor development.
Scabies
It is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- appearance of rash and redness;
- blisters may appear in the affected areas;
- when iodine is applied to the affected area of the skin, worm passages become visible;
- constant itching;
- severe peeling of the skin.
Schistosomiasis
It is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- rash;
- persistent itching;
- increased sweating, especially at night;
- hyperthermia;
- the size of the liver increases.
heartworm disease
It is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- allergic reaction of the body;
- temperature rise;
- severe fatigue, weakness;
- nausea.
demodectic mange
It is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- severe acne;
- eyelash loss.
Dracunculiasis
It is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- there is inflammation of the joints of the lower extremities;
- gangrene;
- blood poisoning.
The appearance of such a disease carries 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 noticeable.
The location of the subcutaneous worm can be not only the upper layers of the epithelium and sebaceous glands, it is much more dangerous when the helminths move freely through the body, because vital organs can be affected.
Treatment
To date, there are many effective recommendations for the treatment of such diseases. It is important to understand that treatment should be prescribed by a doctor, after obtaining the necessary results of a complete medical examination of the patient. In some cases, complications and the appearance of side diseases caused by helminths are noticed.
Bitan.As a treatment, complex drug therapy may be prescribed, but it should be borne in mind that most drugs are very toxic, so a significant deterioration in the condition caused by the treatment can be observed.
Surgery is often required to get rid of subcutaneous helminths. Hydrochloric acid and sulfur soap are most often used for scabies.
Treating subcutaneous worms can cause a lot of problems, spend a lot of time and money. Therefore, it is easier to prevent infection, you just need to follow the rules of personal hygiene. It is recommended that you do not have physical contact with an infected person.
