Larva Migrans: life cycle, symptoms and treatment

There larva migrans cutaneous or also called serpiginous eruption, is a skin disease that is not contagious and is caused by the entry of parasites through herids or cuts in the skin, causing symptoms such as comezón and enrojecimiento.

Hay of the main species hookworm brazilian and he Ancylostoma caninum, whose eggs can be released in the dogs and cats, which hatch in the soil and release the larvae, which can easily enter the skin of people who have direct contact with the animals of these animals.

In most cases the larva is naturally eliminated from the body around 4 to 8 weeks after the infection, but it is important to carry out the treatment under the guidance of the doctor to avoid complications in the skin and alleviate the symptoms of the illness.

main symptoms

the symptoms of it larva migrans sound:

• Presence of a small red point raised in the skin, which is a sign that the parasite has entered;
• Comezón en la piel, que suele empeorar during the night;
• Sensation of movement under the skin;
• Enrojecimiento en la skin similar to a tortuous path, which is where the larva passes through;
• Hinchazón de la skin.

In the active form of the disease, it is common to observe that the lesion advances by about 1 cm per day in the skin, and as soon as it is identified, treatment must be started. See how to recognize the symptoms.

These symptoms are related to the entry of the parasite into the skin and the release of secretions that trigger an allergic reaction in the affected region. These symptoms can appear minutes or weeks after contact with the parasite, and the larva can remain dormant in the body for a few days until it begins to release secretions and move on the skin.

The most frequently affected places are the feet, hands, thighs and buttocks, which come into contact with greater ease with the contaminated soil and, as a result, with the infecting larva.

life cycle of it cutaneous larva migrans

Cats and dogs are considered definitive hosts of the parasite and become infected when they come into contact with larvae of Ancylostoma braziliense O hookworm caninum gifts in el suelo. These larvae develop in the intestine until the adult stage, which is when they release their eggs that are eliminated in the heces of these animals.

In the soil, the huevo bursts and releases larvae that develop until its infective stage, entering the human organism through a lesion in the skin or through a hair follicle. This remains in the skin, leading to the manifestation of signs and symptoms of infection.

how is it transmitted

There larva migrans It is transmitted when coming into contact with the infected soil with the parasite’s huevos, which are released into the environment when infected dogs and cats eliminate their heces.

In this way, when a person walks barefoot or when he touches the soil and when he takes his hands to his mouth, for example, it is possible that the transmission of Larva Migrans occurs.

How is the treatment performed?

In the majority of cases, the infection disappears after a few weeks after the death of the larvae, however, to reduce the duration of the symptoms, treatment with antiparasitic infections can be started by a dermatologist or general practitioner.

Therefore, the use of drugs such as Thiabendazole, Albendazole or Mebendazole can be indicated, which can be used in the form of an ointment when the illness is in an initial stage or in the form of tablets when discovered later.

Generally, the symptoms subside within 2 to 3 days after the treatment has started, and it is important to carry it out until the end to ensure that the larva is completely eliminated from the body. See how the treatment for larva migrans is carried out.

How can it be prevented

To prevent Larva Migrans, you should avoid walking barefoot in any type of soil, whether asphalt, grass or sand. However, this recommendation is difficult to follow on the beach and in the parks, so it is important to avoid the beaches where there are domestic animals.

In addition to this, dogs and cats must take antiparasitic drugs every 3 to 3 months to prevent them from being carriers of this type of parasite, thus preventing their transmission to people.