There are about 150 species of gadfly larvae in the world. Fortunately, only one of them is dangerous to humans. Its habitat is the territory of the planet Earth with a tropical climate. In general, this parasite is very dangerous if it penetrates the human body. Therefore, you should be careful and immediately contact a specialist when the first signs appear.
What is a gadfly larva?
This is a parasite that mainly develops and grows under the skin of a person or animal. The gadfly larva resembles a pear with spikes on the scales. Their length is small - a little less than 30 mm, and their diameter is about 8 mm. The parasite feeds on blood. That is why it is dangerous if it enters the human body. This harmful microorganism is attached to the tissues of mammals with the help of burrs. And in this way it feeds, that is, it accumulates useful substances for its further existence, life activity. In addition, it can after penetration into the bodymammal to secrete a peculiar fluid that causes severe pain.
What types of gadflies are there?
There are a huge number of types of this parasite. Experts agreed to subdivide them according to their habitat. Each type of larvae has its own characteristics. Some of them are dangerous for the owner and for his body. There are 4 types of parasites: subcutaneous and dermal, abdominal and gastric.
The first type is dangerous for both humans and animals. With untimely treatment, dire consequences are possible.
The second type is characteristic of the bull gadfly. It, of course, is not dangerous, like the first type, but still, if this happens, boils form on the body of a person or animal. In addition, there are severe pains. Pus may ooze afterwards.
The cavity type is most common in goats. The larvae are first in the nostril, and then penetrate the respiratory tract.
Gastrointestinal gadfly most often occurs in horses. It develops in their stomach, and then passes to the tongue and gums. Pustules form there.
How can a parasite enter the human body?
The adult gadfly larva is a fly. She is about 2 cm in size. She is somewhat similar to a bumblebee.
But to distinguish it from this insect, there are a number of signs:
- big head;
- large eyes;
- blue belly;
- orange paws;
- transparent wings.
The grown-up parasite does not eatnothing, but feeds on those substances that he accumulated when he was still a larva.
Already half a minute after the exit, an adult gadfly can fly. The female produces about 600 eggs. But luckily only 1/6th of it survives.
Adult parasite catches blood-sucking insects, and then leaves its eggs on their abdomens. And if the mosquito, on which these larvae are located, sits on a person or animal, then they penetrate into their body. People do not experience any pain or discomfort.
Parasites that have matured have special adaptations - hooks. With their help, they are attached to the skin. The gadfly larvae in humans feed on blood during their entire stay and grow up to 2.5 cm. In total, this parasite lives in the body of a mammal for about 9 weeks. After it comes out and falls to the ground, where the pupation process takes place. A month later, an adult appears.
Does this parasite exist in Russia and can it be infected?
On the territory of our country there are about 7 species of larvae. They mostly live in the body of cattle. There are cases when gadfly larvae were found in the human body in Russia. Their favorite place they prefer to be is their eyes or their skin.
Of course, the percentage of cases of finding this parasite in humans is very low, but you should beware of these harmful creatures. You should be aware and know the signs of the disease when they enter the human body.
Symptoms when the parasite is under the skin: what are they?
A gadfly larva in a person canbe anywhere. For example, it can be found on the arm, and on the chest, and on the leg, and even on the head. But their favorite habitats are the armpits and back. It also happens that the gadfly larva in the body is in the nose or eye.
As a rule, a person does not experience any complications and discomfort at the beginning. In the place where the parasite entered, a small bump appears, resembling a mosquito bite. After a certain amount of time has passed, this area begins to hurt and become inflamed. After it becomes blue or red. Then an abscess is formed, which is opened. Thus, for the gadfly larva, a kind of hole is formed under the skin of a person through which the parasite breathes. As soon as the inflamed place is opened, pus begins to stand out from it.
After that, the human condition begins to deteriorate sharply. Nausea or vomiting, weakness and dizziness, muscle pain are the main symptoms of the penetration of the gadfly larva into the body. In the area where there is inflammation, the patient may feel something moving.
When these harmful parasites enter the eyes, irritation of the mucous membrane is felt, and eye pressure rises. There is constant lacrimation. In addition, pain and bleeding can join all these signs.
Very dangerous is the penetration of larvae into the vitreous body of the eyeball. Then the person may lose sight altogether.
When the parasite is in the body, the following symptoms are present:
- headpain;
- impaired sense of smell;
- swelling of the nose;
- pain at the location of the larva.
Surprisingly, these harmful microorganisms can crawl out through the nostril.
How is the diagnosis made?
The main way is to take a blood test. It determines the amount of antibodies. The patient is also asked a series of questions. For example, they ask if he was in places where the disease is common. In addition to all this, the specialist conducts a visual inspection. Using this method, you can detect an inflamed purulent abscess. It has a hole through which air flows. The doctor examines the place with a special device, namely a magnifying glass.
If you are sure that there are gadfly larvae in the body, then you should not contact a therapist, but immediately an infectious disease specialist.
How is maggot infection treated?
After these parasites enter the human body, certain signs of a disease called dermatobiosis appear. The treatment itself involves the direct removal of the larva from the patient's body. But you can't do it right away.
Before you remove the gadfly from under the skin of a person, you need to drink the drug "Ivermectin". It is antiparasitic. Only then can you proceed to the next step.
Removal of gadfly larvae: how does it happen?
Before removing the parasite from under the human skin, it is necessaryplace the abscess subjected to disinfection. This is done, as a rule, with the help of a solution of furacilin. In order to prevent the larva from breathing, a certain amount of sterile oil is dripped into the hole from which the air flow penetrated. After that, the gadfly should come out, as he lacks oxygen. At the moment when the parasite appears from the hole under the skin, it is pulled out with the help of a special device (tweezers).
A complex operation should only be performed by a specialist. The gadfly itself is located in the very deep layers of the epidermis. As mentioned above, there it is located thanks to the hooks. If the patient himself tries to perform this entire procedure, then it is possible that part of the larva will remain under the skin. With this outcome of events, suppuration and an inflammatory process will follow.
As soon as the operation is completed, an antiseptic bandage is applied to the place where the abscess used to be.
Infection prevention
But most often under the skin of a person, the gadfly larva penetrates precisely in countries with a tropical climate. And if you decide to go there, then follow a few simple rules. Avoid places where a large number of insects live. Of course, you need to wear clothing that will protect against bites. Now in stores there is a huge selection of good repellents. They should also be used.
If, for example, an insect has bitten you, you should not panic ahead of time, but you should not forget about it either. First, you should treat the wound with a disinfectant. Andwatch her. If something went wrong, you should immediately contact a specialist. The doctor will examine you, if the diagnosis is confirmed, he will send you to the appropriate procedures, and if the opposite is true, you can safely return home. And don't forget that vigilance has never hurt anyone.
