When we often hear about parasites, of course, we imagine helminths, but in fact their number is much higher today.
Many of them may be in the upper layers of the epithelium and in the subcutaneous fat, remaining invisible to the carrier.
Subcutaneous worms can enter the human body: by contact with infected people; from blood-sucking insects carrying parasitic larvae from animals.
The main feature of such an invasion is the difficulty in recognizing the pathology, because at first the infection can be disguised as other somatic diseases.
The main symptoms of this type of parasite in the body are severe weakness, decreased performance and constant desire to scratch the skin. When these symptoms appear, it is advisable to consult a specialist: a therapist, dermatologist, allergist, infectious disease specialist. The joint work of doctors and the diagnostic methods used in their work help to identify the presence of subcutaneous invasion in the body in a timely manner.
Types of helminths
There are a number of subcutaneous worms that can leave many problems with their appearance. If you pay attention to certain symptoms, it is possible to detect their presence. With timely diagnosis of the disease, it will be easier to get rid of unwanted guests.
To get an idea of how to quickly recognize their presence, we offer you to meet the most popular representatives:
Filariosis
This type of helminthiasis is found only in the tropics. Therefore, when traveling, be as careful as possible, it will not be difficult to take it.
Pathogens are a great danger, because the incubation period can be from 5 to 7 years, they are actively multiplying. They continue to assimilate nutrients and vitamins in the body for all these years, showing no sign of their existence.
Drakunkuloz
The parasitosis can cross the future carrier in water contaminated with helminths. The presence of larvae of this parasite in the water cannot be determined with the naked eye, and neither the device nor special tests will be able to detect it. The danger is that an invisible larva can reach a meter in adulthood. As a rule, infection with dracunculiasis results in death.
It should be understood that death is due to the fact that a one-meter-long adult helminth occupies a large part of the stomach and easily penetrates the lungs, thereby impeding the supply of oxygen. However, as a rule, pathogens are located in the lower extremities, so deaths in modern medicine are very rare.
itching
This type of disease is the most popular. It is no exaggeration to say 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 carefully, you can pinpoint the exact location of the worms, you can notice a noticeable redness and irritation of the skin. In addition to severe itching, an infected person does not have more unpleasant symptoms.
Note.Transmission from the patient is carried out through physical contact, as well as through the use of the same things.
Diagnosis is almost impossible without special equipment, as mentioned earlier, it is only possible to determine the location of their mass accumulation. The cause of irritation is explained by the fact that parasitic ticks break the upper layer of the epithelium and enter under the epithelium, leaving noticeable traces.
demodicosis
Pathogens prefer sebaceous glands as a habitat. Their appearance is accompanied by purulent compounds that are easily mixed with acne on the face. The more intensively the parasite develops, the more noticeable it is on the face. In addition to abscesses, it is necessary to talk about another symptom that can look even more unpleasant - loss of eyelashes.
Attention.The diagnosis of this parasite is very simple compared to other species. An experienced doctor will not even prescribe special tests to determine the presence of helminthiasis, it is enough to conduct only a visual examination of the patient. Prolonged treatment for several years is also unpleasant. It is very difficult to get rid of the disease, so even with regular treatment, it can take more than a year.
dirofilariasis
These parasites are usually transmitted to humans through physical contact with an infected animal carried by our pets. Roundworms enter the human body very quickly, and one of the carriers can be a mosquito.
It is very easy to notice, the bite intensifies, inflammation and itching appear. The parasite settles in the body and begins active life. The most important symptom that will allow you to make an accurate diagnosis immediately is the feeling of confusion.
This is due to the fact that adults can move freely. Infected people have seen helminths under the skin, and it can come out of the mucous membrane of the eye.
Strongyloidiasis
The larvae of this parasite easily penetrate the epidermis, it is enough to walk on the ground barefoot.
In addition to severe itching, redness, and noticeable inflammation, the infected person's skin is covered with red blisters.
Schistosomiasis
The pathogen is found in Africa and Asia, living only in freshwater. Easily penetrates the human body. Prefers to be on human skin or genitourinary system. Leaves toxic products for people for life. 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 usually makes a diagnosis before receiving the results of a full medical examination. The purpose of the survey is not only to confirm its existence, but also to determine its exact location, as well as the approximate number of persons.
Symptoms
Which symptoms appear depends on which parasites a person is infected with. There are significant differences, but most of the symptoms are characteristic of subcutaneous worms. Let's emphasize the main symptoms:
- Skin damage. It can manifest itself in the form of severe rash, redness, acne, severe itching, and in some cases traces of worms are visible.
- General disorder. Toxic waste products alone cannot affect the general condition of the patient, it must be understood that the worms feed on nutrients from the carrier's body, and the carrier's body does not receive the nutrients. In this regard, weakness increases, the person gets tired quickly, fever and insomnia can be observed.
- Worms often penetrate other vital organs, thereby disrupting their function.
- Among subcutaneous helminths, individuals whose movement is well felt by the carrier are very common.
Filariosis
The main symptoms that can last for the first few years include:
- urticaria with the appearance of broad red spots;
- severe itching;
- increase in temperature;
- fever condition.
After a certain period of time, the initial symptoms are replaced by more serious manifestations, for example:
- eczema, warts, ulcers;
- sleep disorders (increased insomnia, insomnia);
- persistent migraine;
- subcutaneous nodules;
- some individuals are noticeable when examining the patient's eyes.
For your information.Such a situation requires serious medical intervention, because the long-term presence of the pathogen can lead to vision loss, the development of a tumor.
itching
It is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- appearance of rash and redness;
- bubbles may appear in the affected areas;
- when applying iodine to the affected area of the skin, the passages of the worm are noticeable;
- constant itching;
- severe peeling of the skin.
Schistosomiasis
It is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- itchy skin;
- persistent itching;
- increased sweating, especially at night;
- hyperthermia;
- the size of the liver increases.
dirofilariasis
It is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- allergic reaction of the body;
- increase in temperature;
- severe fatigue, weakness;
- nausea.
demodicosis
It is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- severe acne;
- loss of eyelashes.
Drakunkuloz
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 poses a significant threat to human life and health. Many pathogens are carefully concealed for several years after infection, but then their size increases significantly and the manifestation under the skin is noticeable.
The site of the subcutaneous worm is not only the upper layers of the epithelium and sebaceous glands, helminths are more dangerous when they move freely in 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 the doctor should prescribe treatment after receiving the necessary results of a full medical examination of the patient. In some cases, the appearance of complications and side effects caused by helminths is observed.
Important.As a treatment, a complex drug treatment may be prescribed, but you should be aware that most medications are highly toxic, so you may notice a significant worsening of the condition caused by the treatment.
Surgery is often required to get rid of subcutaneous helminths. Hydrochloric acid and sulfur soap are often used for itching.
Treatment of subcutaneous worms can cause many problems, cost 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 not to have physical contact with an infected person.
