Infectious and parasitic diseases of the skin represent an extensive group in dermatology. It includes skin lesions caused by various pathogens - bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc. Parasitic dermatoses include skin diseases caused by parasitic microorganisms. Some of them penetrate deep into the skin and spend their entire life cycle there, other pathogenic organisms are external - lice, mosquitoes, bedbugs, fleas, some varieties of flies. They also include ticks that live on birds and animals (cats, pigeons, rats, dogs), cereals, grass, pillow feathers, straw.
For the occurrence of any parasitic or infectious skin disease, only the appearance of a pathogen is not enough, certain conditions are necessary for its activation - the state of the body(injury to the skin, weak immunity) and the external environment (contamination, dustiness, fever). We will talk more about the symptoms, treatment and types of pathogens included in this group below.
What is this
Parasitic skin diseases are pathologies caused by bacteria, fungi and parasitic animals that penetrate the human skin. They can be all the time under the layers of the dermis or live outside. Most of them cause serious diseases, because parasites live off the host's body, absorbing its vitamins, nutrients and cells. In this case, pathogens poison the host with their waste products. Symptoms of infection with a parasitic skin disease do not appear immediately. They are completely dependent on the life cycle of the pathogen. Their waste products are negatively perceived by the human body. In this regard, when the parasite releases them on the surface of the skin or inside, an allergic reaction occurs. That is why when infected, itching or a rash appears.
How it is transmitted
The main routes of transmission of parasitic skin and hair diseases are:
- Contact with the patient.
- Sharing household and personal hygiene items with an infected person.
- Reduced immunity.
- From pets.
- Eating raw foods.
- Negative environmental conditions.
Signs
The first symptoms of infection with parasitic diseases of human skin are similar to other diseases. They show up as follows:
- Allergic reactions. Pathogens that have entered the human body can lead to malfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract. This leads to allergies.
- Incorrect functioning of the immune system. Skin parasites reduce the production of immunoglobulin, the patient feels depressed, tired, flu-like symptoms appear.
- Skin reactions. Due to pathogens that have entered the body, hives, rashes, peeling and other skin problems occur
- Pain in joints and muscles. It occurs as a result of the struggle of immunity with foreign microorganisms or due to injury received from the parasites themselves.
- Teeth grinding during sleep. Parasitic diseases of the skin are periodically accompanied by strong friction and clenching of the teeth.
- Sleep problems. The liver actively rids itself of toxic substances, which causes anxiety during sleep.
- Anemia. Pathogens, getting into the intestines, stick to the walls and receive nutrients. This can lead to severe blood loss and lack of iron in the body.
Comorbidities
Most experts agree that parasites, eating valuable substances, suck out all the most useful things from the human body. And the remaining empty calories are digested by a person, but do not give full saturation. In this regard, the body needs more food to feed both the parasites and itself.
Parasites not only feed on humans, but are also considered the causative agents of various pathologies. Mostcommon ones:
- Dysbacteriosis. Fungi and bacteria are considered activators of this disease. Due to parasites, the proper functioning of the intestines and its microflora are disturbed, which leads to even more serious diseases.
- Pathologies of internal organs. Penetrating inside, parasites destroy the walls of blood vessels. This leads to inflammation of the genitals, heart attack, and so on.
Patients infected with parasitic skin diseases and leading a he althy lifestyle will experience serious inconvenience. Therefore, anyone who decides to engage in active sports needs to cleanse the body of parasites, toxins, toxins and bacteria. Since it is they who will prevent you from obtaining the desired result.
Skin infections
There is a classification according to the type of pathogen causing the problem. Infectious diseases are divided into viral, bacterial and fungal parasitic skin diseases:
- Bacterial. They are characterized by suppuration of varying severity. These include folliculitis (inflammation of the hair follicles), carbunculosis and furunculosis (infections in the sebaceous glands), cellulitis, abscess, impetigo, erysipelas, erythrasma, papules, vesicles. Bacterial skin pathologies can develop both independently and as a result of parasitic pathogens.
- Fungal. These include candidiasis, lichen, dermatophytosis, bordered eczema. This includes all parasitic diseases caused by microfungi.
- Viral. Shingles and herpes. Do not belong to the group of parasitic infections.
Views
Doctorsidentify several major diseases caused by parasites:
- Scabies.
- Mycosis of smooth skin.
- Pediculosis
- Worms under human skin.
- Demodicosis.
Scabies
Scabies is a parasitic disease of the scalp or other part of the body. The causative agent is the scabies mite, the female of which gnaws through the skin and lays eggs there. After a while, they hatch into adults. The main way of infection with scabies is contact with the patient. Most of all, the parasites are active at night, so people who use the same bed become infected more often. In addition, infection can occur in public places, through shaking hands, upholstery, changing rooms in the bathhouse, etc.
The main symptom of the disease is itching, which is most felt in the evening and at night (during tick activity). Parasitic skin disease (scabies) is accompanied by a rash on the abdomen, thighs, buttocks and between the fingers. Rashes appear in the form of small vesicles, interconnected by subcutaneous furrows. The first thing to do if signs of scabies are found is to consult a dermatologist. After he diagnoses the disease, the patient will be prescribed a treatment course. Most often, sulfur and benzyl benzoate are used for this.
Treatment and prevention of scabies
Healing creams are applied to the skin, excluding the face and neck. It is necessary to rub the medication immediately after evening hygiene procedures, before going to bed. This procedure is repeated a couple of times in a row in the evening. Particular attention is paid to the fingers, toes, buttocks and thighs. On the first day of treatment, bedding and clothing in which the patient sleeps should be removed. You don't need to do this on the following days. On the fifth day of treatment, the patient washes thoroughly with soap and puts on new ironed clothes. Bed linen should also be changed.
If the patient feels that the disease does not go away, it is not worth prolonging the course of treatment on your own, as this is unsafe for he alth. In this case, you need to visit your doctor. Relatives who are in contact with the diseased should be prevented from parasitic skin diseases. It consists in applying a healing ointment, but the duration of the course is 2-3 days.
Bedding used before and during therapy should be boiled. The same must be done with clothing that touched the skin of the patient. For prevention purposes, linen and clothes can be ironed or hung out in the fresh air for up to ten days. With the right treatment regimen, scabies disappears in five days.
Pediculosis
Pediculosis (lice) is a disease caused by lice bites. For the treatment of pathology, doctors prescribe special means that are used strictly for their intended purpose. There is a classification of lice depending on the habitat. Experts divide these parasites into head, pubic and clothes. Each type of lice has its own treatment characteristics.
Heads
This type of parasite most often affects children andwomen. Lice lay their eggs on the hair. The main symptom of pathology is itching. After scratching, small red spots are visible at the bite sites. In the severe stage of the disease, the hair becomes tangled and loses its shine. In infected children, there is an increase in the cervical and lymphatic glands. To get rid of nits on the hair, you must use a special comb, on which the teeth should be close to each other. To increase efficiency, you can wrap cotton wool soaked in water and comb your hair with such a comb several times a day.
Adults and lice nits may be in headgear. To get rid of them, iron the products with a hot iron or boil them. An effective folk method of treating a parasitic skin disease is a solution of acetic acid, alcohol and water in equal amounts. This mixture is applied to the hair and scalp. After 30 minutes, it is washed off with warm water and soap. The procedure must be done twice a day. In addition to a solution with vinegar and alcohol, kerosene and vegetable oil can be used. This method has a strong smell, but it has an immediate effect. The mixture is applied to the scalp and hair and covered with a towel or scarf. After a couple of hours, the solution is washed off with warm water and soap.
Dress
Lice of this species live in outer and outer clothing, sometimes they move to the human body, clinging to downy hairs. Eggs are laid along the seams, as they are harder to find in hard-to-reach places. crawling withclothes on the body, they bite a person. Bite spots turn red after 12 hours. Bites do not cause pain, but after them the skin itches. A person combs this area, and it becomes covered with a black crust. Body lice are most commonly found in prisons, kindergartens, hostels and schools.
Pubic
In another way, this type of lice is called a flathead. It has six legs and moves easily along the hairs. As a rule, the parasite lays its eggs at the root of the hair. Visually, the nit looks like a dark dot and is almost invisible. The habitat of the flathead is the pubis, but it can also move to other areas of the skin with hairline - to the armpits, beard, mustache, eyebrows, but never to the head. The first symptom of pubic lice is itching. 12 hours after infection, bite marks appear - small blue spots.
Demodicosis
Demodicosis is a skin disease caused by a parasitic mite. Once in the human body, the pathogen damages not only the skin, but also the internal organs. The habitat of the tick is the sebaceous glands and the mouth of the hair follicles. The life cycle of the parasite is 15 days. In most cases, tick infestation is asymptomatic. But if an infected person has disorders in the work of the gastrointestinal tract, neuroendocrine and immune systems, then when a tick enters the body, they become aggravated.
Most often, the parasite is found on the face, a little less often - on the chest and back. Getting rid of a tick is problematic without visiting a doctor. The specialist will determine the degree of the disease, the form of parasites and their number. BasedThis, the doctor will prescribe the necessary course of treatment. Therapy is carried out both externally and internally. Sulfur-based creams, ointments and gels are used for external treatment, and acaricidal agents are used for internal treatment. The duration of treatment is determined by the doctor. For preventive purposes, you need to follow the rules of nutrition, monitor hygiene and have a good rest.
Photo of a parasitic skin disease (demodecosis) is presented below.
Worms under human skin
Depending on the pathogen, the following pathologies that cause worms are distinguished:
- Dracunculosis. The parasite enters the human body through untreated water. Individuals prefer to be under the skin of the legs. The infected person feels severe itching. A swollen roller forms under the skin, blisters appear. The disease is characterized by phlegmon and abscesses.
- Another parasitic skin disease characterized by severe itching is called schistosomiasis. This type of pathogen lives in open water bodies of Africa and Asia. Individuals enter the body while bathing. In addition to itching, an infected person develops profuse sweating at night and dermatitis. Untimely access to a doctor can lead to inflammation of the urinary system and intestines.
- Cysticercosis. Pathology is caused by pork tapeworms. Infection occurs by eating raw meat, fat. The parasite penetrates the skin and almost all vital organs. The course of the disease is accompanied by the appearance of tumors and mild itching.
- Ankylostomiasis. The pathogen enters the human body through cracks and minor injuries on the feet. It breeds near the place through which it penetrates. The main symptoms are anemia, unbearable itching.
- Filariasis. This parasite is carried by insects. When infected, a person's body temperature rises, the lymph nodes become inflamed, a rash and ulcers appear. The skin is very flaky.
Smooth skin mycosis
This disease is caused by yeast-like fungi. It refers to parasitic pathologies and often flows into a chronic form due to the fact that the patient does not pay attention to the symptoms and goes to the doctor late.
The disease is transmitted through contact with infected animals or people, as well as through the use of other people's personal belongings. In addition, you can get infected in beauty salons, where masters work with unsterilized instruments.
The main signs of mycosis are:
- flaking;
- spots of red;
- itching in the feet, the appearance of bubbles on them;
- diaper rash;
- flaky nails;
- irritation of the skin between the fingers.
Disease can affect:
- torso;
- nails;
- feet;
- face;
- hands;
- scalp.
Other pathologies
Parasitic and pustular skin diseases are called pyoderma. They are a groupinfectious diseases caused by staphylococci and streptococci. On a he althy body, parasites exist in small quantities and do not manifest themselves in any way. But with skin damage, a decrease in the body's defenses, exacerbation of chronic ailments, increased sweating, changes in the composition of sweat, they begin to develop rapidly.
Depending on the type of pathogen, they cause rash, itching, pustules, skin peeling, pain. These include:
- furunculosis;
- phlegmon;
- abscesses;
- ostiofolliculitis;
- Carbuncles and others.
Prevention of parasitic skin diseases
Any pathology is easier to prevent than to treat. And in order not to become a carrier of a parasitic disease, you should follow these rules:
- Wash your hands well after visiting the street, the toilet, and also before eating.
- Take a parasite test once a year.
- Maintain immunity.
- Eat right and sleep well (positive effect on the immune system).
- Use personal hygiene products.
- Do not wear other people's clothes and shoes.
