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 adipose tissue, remaining invisible to the wearer.
The subcutaneous worm can enter the human body: through tactile contact with infected people; from blood-sucking insects carrying larvae of animal parasites.
The main feature of such an invasion is the difficulty in recognizing the pathology, as in the beginning 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, reduced efficiency and a constant desire to scratch the skin. When these signs appear, it is recommended to see a specialist: therapist, dermatologist, allergist, infectious disease specialist. The joint work of doctors and the diagnostic methods they use in their work help to identify the presence of subcutaneous invasion in the body in time.
Types of helminths
There are a number 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, get rid of unwanted guests will be much easier.
To have an idea of how to quickly recognize their presence, we offer you to meet the most popular representatives:
Filariasis
This type of helminthiasis is found exclusively in the tropics. Therefore, when traveling, be extremely careful, it will not be difficult to take it.
Pathogens are a great danger, as the incubation period 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 overtake 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, in addition, neither the device nor special analyzes will be able to determine. The danger lies in the fact that an inconspicuous larva can reach a meter in the mature state. As a rule, dracunculiasis infection leads to death.
It should be understood that the death is due to the fact that the adult helminth meters meters occupies a large part of the stomach and easily penetrates the lungs, thus blocking access to oxygen. 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 the most popular. It would not be an exaggeration to say 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 closely, you can determine exactly where the worms are, at the site of their location you can see noticeable redness and irritation of the skin. Apart from severe itching, no more unpleasant symptoms are observed in an infected person.
On a note.Transmission occurs from sick to healthy, through physical contact, as well as using the same things.
Diagnosis is almost impossible without the presence of special equipment, it is possible to determine, as mentioned earlier, only the place of their mass accumulation. The reason for the irritation is explained by the fact that the parasitic mites fall under the epithelium, disrupting the upper layer of the epithelium, thus leaving noticeable traces.
demodicosis
Pathogens prefer sebaceous glands as a 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.Diagnosing this parasite is quite easy compared to other species. An experienced doctor will not even prescribe special tests to detect the presence of helminthiasis, it is enough to conduct only a visual examination of the patient. It is also unpleasant that the treatment lasts for several years. Getting rid of the disease is quite difficult, so 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, usually carried by our pets. Roundworms enter the human body quite 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 an active life. The most important symptom that will allow you to immediately make an accurate diagnosis is the feeling of confusion.
This is due to the fact that adults can move freely. There have been cases where infected people see helminths under the skin, and it can come out through the mucous membrane of the eye.
Strongyloidiasis
The larvae of this parasite easily penetrate the epidermis, so 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. Easily penetrates the human body. It prefers to be in human skin or in the genitourinary system. In the course of his life 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 accompanied by certain symptoms, so an experienced doctor usually diagnoses it even before receiving the results of a full medical examination. The study aims not only to confirm his presence, but also to determine his exact location and the approximate number of people.
Symptoms
What symptoms occur 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 there are traces of worms.
- General malaise. Not only can toxic waste products affect the patient's general condition, it should be understood that worms feed on nutrients from the carrier's body until the carrier's body receives nutrients. In this regard, weakness increases, a person gets tired quickly, fever and insomnia can be observed.
- Often worms penetrate other vital organs, thus disrupting their work.
- Among the subcutaneous helminths are quite common individuals whose movement is well felt by the carrier.
Filariasis
The main symptoms that may persist 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 disturbance (increased drowsiness, insomnia);
- prolonged migraine;
- subcutaneous nodules;
- some individuals become noticeable when examining the patient's eye.
For your information.Such a condition requires serious medical intervention, as prolonged presence of the pathogen can lead to vision loss, tumor development.
Scabies
Accompanied by the following symptoms:
- the appearance of rash and redness;
- blisters may appear in the affected areas;
- when iodine is applied to the affected area of the skin, the passages of the worm become noticeable;
- constant itching;
- severe peeling of the skin.
schistosomiasis
Accompanied by the following symptoms:
- skin rash;
- constant itching;
- increased sweating, especially at night;
- hyperthermia;
- the size of the liver increases.
heartworm disease
Accompanied by the following symptoms:
- allergic reaction of the body;
- temperature rise;
- severe fatigue, weakness;
- nausea.
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 appearance 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 noticeable.
The location of the subcutaneous worm can be not only in the upper layers of the epithelium and sebaceous glands, 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 the treatment of such diseases. It is important to understand that the doctor must prescribe the treatment after receiving the necessary results from a complete medical examination of the patient. In some cases, complications and side effects caused by helminths are observed.
Important.Complex drug therapy can be prescribed as a treatment, but you should be aware that most drugs are very toxic, so you can observe 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 most commonly 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, so you just have to follow the rules of personal hygiene. It is recommended that you do not have physical contact with an infected person.
