Horse hair (parasite, see photo below) has caused people downright mystical horror since ancient times. There are always a lot of rumors and conjectures around him. Konrad Gesner wrote back in the 16th century (the book "Natural History"): “It is believed that the horsehair parasite is a real hair from the tail of a horse that comes to life in water. This is unlikely.”
According to legend, the horsehair parasite is able to take root under the skin as soon as a person enters the water. Most often, he bites into the heel, and the victim in these seconds does not feel even the slightest discomfort. It all starts later: the horsehair parasite rushes to the heart, eating away all the insides of the host on the way to the main goal.
The fear of this vile monster is really great. However, is he justified? How dangerous is horsehair to us?
The parasite does not live in humans. For people swimming in fresh water (this is where hairballs are found), there is no risk of infection. In order to understand this, it is enough just to take a closer look at the worm and its reproduction cycle.
The parasite itself is often dark in color (usually brown, closer to black), rather thin (large individual up tomillimeter wide), its dimensions can reach half a meter (more often - up to 40 centimeters), without changes in thickness throughout the body. On the filamentous rigid body of the male, a tiny fork is barely noticeable. The worm is really incredibly similar to the hair of a horse. This striking similarity influenced the name.
It is very interesting to observe the movements of the hairy. The horsehair parasite often crawls along the very bottom, slowly, snake-like wriggling, sometimes twisting and forming balls and fancy loops (as if tied around itself).
Freshwater species such as roundworms have several genera. Hairy is a parasite of insects. Initially, its larvae penetrate the embryos of mosquitoes, ground beetles, swimmers, mayflies, etc., where they turn into adult worms that enter the water. Nature created the parasite incapable of swallowing food, feeding on the nutrients accumulated at the time when it lived in the insect. That is why he does not live long (up to 3 weeks).
A person who accidentally swallowed horsehair while bathing is not in danger: the hairy will not develop in his body due to unsuitable conditions. The parasite can be found in the body of snails, crustaceans, in fish. However, careful heat treatment kills it.
Adult individuals living in freshwater reservoirs testify to the purity of the flora. They are absolutely harmless to Homo sapiens.
However, there is another parasite that strongly resembles hairy. This is a rishta, a resident of the tropics, the causative agent of dracunculiasis. Myths andstories ascribed to horse hair refer more specifically to this representative of the parasites. However, dracunculiasis has not been recorded in our latitudes.
Be that as it may, the mere thought of introducing some kind of parasite into our body causes a shudder. To protect yourself from accidents, swim only in permitted places and try not to swallow water (even if it seemed crystal clear to you). Wash the fruits and berries that you are going to take at home (or take drinking water with you). Enjoy your holiday!
