What are the symptoms of a pinworm infection. How is a pinworm infection diagnosed and treated. What preventive measures can be taken against pinworms. Who is most at risk for getting pinworms. What complications can arise from a pinworm infection. How contagious are pinworms.

Understanding Pinworm Infections: Causes and Risk Factors

Pinworm infections, also known as enterobiasis or oxyuriasis, are caused by small, thin, pin-shaped worms called Enterobius vermicularis. These parasites, commonly referred to as threadworms, typically inhabit the human colon and rectum. Measuring about one-quarter to one-half inch in length, pinworms are barely visible to the naked eye, resembling tiny white threads or staples.

How does one contract a pinworm infection? The primary mode of transmission is through the accidental ingestion or inhalation of pinworm eggs. This can occur in several ways:

• Consuming contaminated food or drinks
• Touching surfaces or objects harboring pinworm eggs and then placing fingers in the mouth
• Breathing in eggs that have become airborne, especially in dusty environments

Once ingested, the eggs hatch in the intestines and mature into adult worms within about a month. Female pinworms then migrate to the anal area to lay their eggs, typically during the night, which leads to the characteristic symptom of anal itching.

Are certain individuals more susceptible to pinworm infections? Indeed, some factors increase the risk of contracting these parasites:

• Age: Children between 5-10 years old are most commonly affected
• Living conditions: Crowded environments like schools, daycare centers, or institutional settings increase transmission risk
• Personal habits: Thumb-sucking, nail-biting, and poor hand hygiene contribute to infection spread
• Caregiver status: Those who care for young children are at higher risk due to frequent exposure

It’s crucial to note that pinworm infections are highly contagious. The ease of transmission, particularly in close-contact settings, makes them the most common worm infection in the United States.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Pinworm Infection

While many individuals with pinworm infections may remain asymptomatic, others experience a range of uncomfortable symptoms. Recognizing these signs is crucial for prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Common Symptoms of Pinworm Infection

• Anal itching, particularly intense at night
• Disturbed sleep due to discomfort
• Irritability and restlessness
• Intermittent abdominal pain
• Itching in the vaginal area (in females, if worms migrate)

Why does anal itching typically worsen at night? This is because female pinworms emerge from the anus to lay eggs on the surrounding skin during nighttime hours, causing increased irritation and itching.

Can pinworm infections cause more severe symptoms? In rare cases, especially with heavy infestations, complications may arise:

• Vulvovaginitis (inflammation of the vagina and vulva)
• Urinary tract infections
• Appendicitis (in extremely rare instances)
• Weight loss (in severe, prolonged cases)

It’s important to consult a healthcare provider if you or your child experiences persistent anal itching, especially if it’s accompanied by sleep disturbances or other concerning symptoms.

Diagnosing Pinworm Infections: The Tape Test and Beyond

Accurate diagnosis of pinworm infections is crucial for effective treatment. Healthcare providers typically rely on a simple yet effective method known as the tape test to confirm the presence of these parasites.

The Tape Test Procedure

1. Upon waking, before using the bathroom or bathing, press a piece of clear adhesive tape against the skin around the anus.
2. The tape will pick up any pinworm eggs that have been deposited overnight.
3. Repeat this process for three consecutive mornings.
4. Submit the tape samples to your healthcare provider for microscopic examination.

Why is the tape test performed in the morning? Pinworms are most active at night, laying their eggs on the skin surrounding the anus. Collecting samples first thing in the morning increases the likelihood of capturing these newly laid eggs.

Are there alternative diagnostic methods for pinworm infections? While the tape test is the most common and reliable method, healthcare providers may also:

• Perform a visual inspection of the anal area
• Conduct a thorough medical history and symptom review
• In rare cases, use more invasive methods like colonoscopy if complications are suspected

It’s worth noting that pinworms are often diagnosed based on symptoms alone, especially in areas where these infections are common. However, confirmation through the tape test helps rule out other potential causes of anal itching and ensures appropriate treatment.

Effective Treatment Strategies for Pinworm Infections

Once a pinworm infection is diagnosed, prompt and thorough treatment is essential to eradicate the parasites and prevent reinfection. The primary approach involves anti-parasitic medications, coupled with hygiene measures to break the cycle of transmission.

Medication Options for Pinworm Treatment

• Albendazole (Albenza): A prescription medication effective against various parasitic worms
• Mebendazole (Emverm): Another prescription option that prevents worms from absorbing nutrients
• Pyrantel pamoate (Reese’s Pinworm Medication, Pin-X): An over-the-counter option that paralyzes the worms

How many doses of medication are typically required to treat pinworms? Most treatment regimens involve at least two doses, spaced two weeks apart, to ensure complete eradication of the parasites. This schedule accounts for the pinworm life cycle and helps eliminate any newly hatched worms.

Is it necessary to treat all household members? Given the highly contagious nature of pinworms, healthcare providers often recommend treating all household members simultaneously, even if they’re not showing symptoms. This comprehensive approach helps prevent reinfection and breaks the cycle of transmission within the family unit.

Supplementary Measures for Pinworm Control

In addition to medication, the following hygiene practices are crucial for effectively managing pinworm infections:

• Rigorous hand washing, especially after using the bathroom and before handling food
• Daily bathing or showering, with particular attention to the anal area
• Frequent changing and hot washing of underwear, pajamas, and bed linens
• Keeping fingernails short and discouraging nail-biting
• Thorough cleaning of living spaces, including vacuuming carpets and upholstered furniture

How long should these enhanced hygiene measures be maintained? It’s advisable to continue these practices for at least two weeks following the completion of medication treatment to ensure all eggs and potential reinfection sources are eliminated.

Preventing Pinworm Infections: Key Strategies for Breaking the Cycle

While pinworm infections are common, especially among children, there are several effective strategies to prevent their occurrence and spread. Understanding and implementing these preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of infection and reinfection.

Essential Hygiene Practices

• Regular hand washing with soap and warm water, especially after using the bathroom and before eating
• Keeping fingernails short and clean to minimize egg accumulation
• Avoiding nail-biting and finger-sucking habits
• Daily bathing or showering, with particular attention to the anal area
• Changing and washing underwear, pajamas, and bed linens frequently in hot water

Why is hand hygiene so crucial in preventing pinworm infections? Pinworm eggs can survive on surfaces for up to two to three weeks. Proper hand washing helps remove these microscopic eggs before they can be ingested, breaking the cycle of infection.

Environmental Control Measures

In addition to personal hygiene, managing the living environment is key to preventing pinworm spread:

• Regular vacuuming of carpets, upholstered furniture, and mattresses
• Damp-dusting surfaces to capture and remove eggs
• Washing toys, especially those shared among children, in hot water
• Avoiding sharing personal items like towels, washcloths, or clothing

How long can pinworm eggs survive in the environment? Pinworm eggs can remain viable on surfaces for up to two to three weeks, emphasizing the importance of thorough and regular cleaning.

Educational Approaches

Educating family members, especially children, about pinworm transmission and prevention is crucial:

• Teaching proper hand washing techniques
• Explaining the importance of avoiding scratching the anal area
• Encouraging the reporting of any itching or discomfort
• Promoting good bathroom hygiene practices

By implementing these preventive strategies consistently, the risk of pinworm infections can be significantly reduced, creating a healthier environment for families and communities.

Complications and Long-term Effects of Pinworm Infections

While pinworm infections are generally considered more of a nuisance than a serious health threat, in rare cases, they can lead to complications, especially if left untreated or in cases of heavy infestation.

Potential Complications

• Vulvovaginitis: Inflammation of the vagina and vulva due to worm migration
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs): Resulting from worms entering the urethra
• Bacterial skin infections: Caused by excessive scratching of the anal area
• Weight loss: In severe, prolonged cases of infection
• Appendicitis: In extremely rare instances, pinworms may contribute to appendix inflammation

Can pinworm infections cause long-term health issues? Generally, pinworm infections do not lead to chronic health problems when properly treated. However, repeated infections or prolonged, untreated cases may potentially impact a child’s growth and development due to associated discomfort, sleep disturbances, and in rare cases, nutritional deficiencies.

Psychological and Social Impact

Beyond physical complications, pinworm infections can have psychological and social effects, particularly on children:

• Embarrassment and social stigma
• Disrupted sleep patterns leading to daytime fatigue and irritability
• Anxiety related to the discomfort and the treatment process
• Potential impact on school performance due to sleep disturbances and discomfort

How can parents and caregivers mitigate the psychological impact of pinworm infections? Open communication, reassurance, and maintaining a matter-of-fact approach to treatment can help reduce anxiety and embarrassment associated with the infection.

It’s important to note that while these complications are possible, they are not common outcomes of pinworm infections. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment significantly reduce the risk of any long-term or serious effects.

Pinworms in Special Populations: Considerations and Approaches

While pinworm infections can affect individuals of all ages, certain populations require special consideration in terms of risk, diagnosis, and treatment approaches.

Pinworms in Infants and Toddlers

Infants and toddlers present unique challenges in managing pinworm infections:

• Difficulty in communicating symptoms
• Increased risk of spreading infection due to diaper changes and close contact
• Potential for reinfection through behaviors like thumb-sucking

How should caregivers approach pinworm treatment in very young children? Treatment typically involves medication prescribed by a pediatrician, coupled with rigorous hygiene practices. Caregivers should pay extra attention to hand washing during diaper changes and closely monitor for signs of discomfort or itching.

Pinworms During Pregnancy

Pregnant women require special consideration when it comes to pinworm infections:

• Some anti-parasitic medications may not be recommended during pregnancy
• Increased importance of non-medicinal control measures
• Potential for stress and discomfort affecting maternal well-being

What treatment options are safe for pregnant women with pinworm infections? Healthcare providers may recommend pyrantel pamoate as it’s considered relatively safe during pregnancy. However, treatment decisions should always be made in consultation with a prenatal care provider.

Pinworms in Immunocompromised Individuals

People with weakened immune systems may face additional risks from pinworm infections:

• Potential for more severe symptoms or complications
• Increased difficulty in eradicating the infection
• Need for closer medical monitoring during treatment

How does the approach to pinworm treatment differ for immunocompromised patients? These individuals may require longer treatment courses, more frequent follow-ups, and potentially stronger medications. Close collaboration between the patient, their primary care provider, and specialists is crucial for effective management.

Pinworms in Institutional Settings

Institutional settings like schools, daycare centers, and long-term care facilities present unique challenges in managing pinworm infections:

• Increased risk of widespread transmission
• Need for coordinated treatment efforts
• Importance of environmental control measures

What strategies can institutions implement to control pinworm outbreaks? Comprehensive approaches including synchronized treatment of affected individuals, enhanced cleaning protocols, and education programs for staff, residents, and families are essential in controlling institutional outbreaks.

By understanding the unique needs and challenges of these special populations, healthcare providers and caregivers can tailor their approach to effectively manage and prevent pinworm infections in diverse settings and circumstances.

Symptoms, Causes, Tape Test, Treatment

What Is a Pinworm Infection?

A pinworm infection is an intestinal illness that’s very common in elementary school-aged children. Pinworms are small, thin, pin-shaped worms that sometimes live in the human colon and rectum. They’re also called threadworms. They’re about one-quarter to one-half inch long — about the size of a staple. The females do their work while you sleep: They leave the intestine through your anus and deposit their eggs on the surrounding skin.

Pinworm Infection Symptoms

Most people who are infected don’t have symptoms. If you do, they might include:

• Anal itching, especially at night
• Restless sleep
• Itching in the vaginal area — if adult worms move to your vagina
• Feeling irritable
• Abdominal pain that comes and goes

Talk to your doctor if you have severe anal itching, especially at night.

Causes of Pinworm Infection

You get pinworms by accidentally swallowing or breathing in their eggs. You could eat or drink something that’s contaminated with them and not know it. The eggs can also live on surfaces like clothing, bedding, or other objects. If you touch one of these items and then put your fingers in your mouth, you’ll swallow the eggs.

About a month later, the eggs hatch in your intestines and grow into adult worms. Female pinworms move to your anal area to lay their eggs. This causes anal itching. If you scratch the area, the eggs cling to your fingers and get under your nails. If you touch other surfaces or objects, you could spread the worms.

Are they contagious?

Yes. It’s very easy to spread a pinworm infection. 

Pinworm Infection Risk Factors

Anyone can get a pinworm infection. It’s the most common kind of worm infection in the United States. But it’s more likely if:

• You’re between the ages of 5-10. 
• You live with or take care of small children.
• You live in a crowded space, like a hospital or jail.  
• You suck your thumb or bite your nails.
• You don’t wash your hands.

Pinworm Infection Diagnosis

If you, your child, or someone in your household has symptoms of pinworm infection, call the doctor and ask about the tape test. Simply take a clear piece of tape and press the sticky side to the skin around the anus. Do this as soon as you or your child wakes up — before you use the bathroom, shower, or get dressed. The pinworm eggs will stick to the tape.

You’ll need to repeat this test 3 days in a row, then take all the pieces of tape to your doctor. They’ll look at them under a microscope to check for the eggs.

Treatment for Pinworm Infection

You’ll need to take medications that kill the worms. Options include:

• Albendazole (Albenza)
• Mebendazole (Emverm)
• Pyrantel pamoate (Reese’s Pinworm Medication, Pin-X). Available over the counter.

You may need to take at least two doses to get rid of the worms completely. The medicine might upset your stomach a little.

The doctor may prescribe medication to everyone in your household to prevent infection and reinfection. For best results, treat the infected person and everyone in your house (including caretakers) at the same time.

Complications of Pinworms

Most of the time, pinworm infections don’t cause serious problems. In rare cases, and especially if you have a lot of them, the pinworms can travel from the anal area up the vagina to the uterus, fallopian tubes, and around the pelvic organs. This can cause inflammation of the vagina — what doctors call vulvovaginitis. 

Other rare complications include:

• Bacterial infection from scratching the anal area
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Appendicitis
• Abdominal infection
• Weight loss

Prevention of Pinworms

Pinworm eggs can live on hard surfaces and in clothes and bedding for 2 to 3 weeks. In addition to your regular household cleaning, you’ll want to take these steps to stop the spread:

• Pinworms lay their eggs at night. Wash your anal area in the morning to reduce the number of eggs on your body. Shower to prevent possible recontamination in bath water.
• Don’t bathe with anyone or share towels during treatment and for 2 weeks after final treatment.
• Change your underwear and bed linens each day. This helps remove eggs.
• Wash bedsheets, nightclothes, underwear, washcloths, and towels in hot water to kill pinworm eggs. Dry them on high heat.
• Don’t scratch your anal area. Trim your child’s nails so there’s less space for eggs to collect.
• Discourage nail biting.
• Wash your hands with soap and water after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and before handling food. Teach your kids to do the same.

Pinworms | DermNet NZ

Author: Daniel Jun Yi Wong, Medical Student, University of Melbourne, Australia, 2012. DermNet NZ Update September 2021

What are pinworms?

Pinworms (Enterobius vermicularis) are also called threadworms or seatworms, and the condition they cause is called enterobiasis or, the older term, oxyuriasis.  

Who gets pinworms?

Infestation or infection with pinworms is most common amongst school-aged children, in some communities affecting up to two-thirds of children aged 5-10 years. Family members are at particular risk of acquiring pinworms.

Some studies report a male predominance.

The worldwide infestation rate is estimated to be 1 billion. It can affect all social classes, races, and countries.

What causes pinworm infestation?

Pinworms belong to the phylum Nematoda. They have a long thread-like appearance, are a white-beige colour, and round in shape (roundworm). They are visible to the naked eye – the female pinworm is 9-12 mm in length while the male is much shorter, 3-5 mm. The translucent eggs are an asymmetrical elongated oval shape visible under a microscope.

Why are pinworms so itchy at night?

At night, the female adult pinworm emerges from the anus to deposit eggs onto the skin around the anus. It is thought to be the movement of the female worms that causes the itch. The eggs are attached to the skin with an adhesive mix. After exposure to the air, the microscopic eggs mature and are typically infectious within a few hours. They can survive for up to 2 weeks on the skin.

How do pinworms spread?

The main way that pinworms spread is through swallowing the eggs. When someone with pinworm scratches their perianal skin, the eggs are lodged beneath their fingernails, and can be deposited on clothing, toys, and furniture. Infested individuals ingest the eggs (auto-infection) when biting their nails, or putting fingers in their mouth.

Others can come in contact with pinworm eggs and ingest them unknowingly, although the eggs survive only a few days in the environment. 

Pinworm infestation can spread during sexual intercourse.

What are the clinical features of pinworm infestation?

The most common symptom caused by pinworms is itching around the anus. The itchiness tends to be worse at night when the female worms are active on the skin surface and can cause trouble sleeping.  

The adult worms sometimes migrate to the vagina instead of returning to the bowel. This may result in an itchy vaginitis with a mucous or blood-stained discharge.

Severe infestations rarely result in abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting.

However 40% of infested individuals have minimal symptoms or are asymptomatic

What are the complications of pinworm infestation?

• Urinary tract infection particularly in children
• Secondary bacterial infection of the perianal skin
• Perianal granuloma
• Rarely involvement of other organs such as the liver 

How is pinworm infection confirmed?

The adult worms can be seen with the naked eye, as thin, white, wriggling threads: look at the anus at night or at the surface of bowel motions.

The ‘sticky tape’ test involves sticking a piece of clear adhesive tape to the crease of the anus, and is best carried out at night. The tape should catch any pinworm eggs, which can be confirmed by looking at the tape under the microscope.

Pinworms

How are pinworms treated?

It is important to prevent the spread of infection by maintaining good hygiene (hand washing with soap and water, keeping fingernails short, taking a shower or bath daily), washing linen and clothes in hot water (>40C), and trying not to scratch in order to prevent contact with the pinworm eggs.

Mild infections can clear by themselves. However, pinworm infestation is usually treated with albendazole or mebendazole. A single dose has a high cure rate. A second dose two weeks later helps to prevent recurrence of the infection. After each dose bed linen should be changed and the bedroom vacuumed.

Topical treatment of the itch may be required.

What is the outcome of pinworm infestation?

Because re-infection is common, the whole family should be treated at the same time to prevent recurrence and spread of infection to others.

Pinworm test

Definition

A pinworm test is a method used to identify a pinworm infection. Pinworms are small, thin worms that commonly infect young children, although anyone can be infected.

Alternative Names

Oxyuriasis test; Enterobiasis test; Tape test

How the Test is Performed

When a person has a pinworm infection, adult pinworms live in the intestine and colon. At night, the female adult worms deposit their eggs outside the rectum or anal area.

One way to detect pinworms is to shine a flashlight on the anal area. The worms are tiny, white, and threadlike. If none are seen, check for 2 or 3 additional nights.

The best way to diagnose this infection is to do a tape test. The best time to do this is in the morning before bathing, because pinworms lay their eggs at night.

Steps for the test are:

• Firmly press the sticky side of a 1-inch (2.5 centimeters) strip of cellophane tape over the anal area for a few seconds. The eggs stick to the tape.
• The tape is then transferred to a glass slide, sticky side down. Put the piece of tape in a plastic bag and seal the bag.
• Wash your hands well.
• Take the bag to your health care provider. The provider needs to check the tape to see if there are eggs.

The tape test may need to be done on 3 separate days to improve the chances of detecting the eggs.

You may be given a special pinworm test kit. If so, follow instructions on how to use it.

How to Prepare for the Test

No special preparation is necessary.

How the Test will Feel

The skin around the anus may have minor irritation from the tape.

Why the Test is Performed

This test is performed to check for pinworms, which can cause itching in the anal area.

What Abnormal Results Mean

If adult pinworms or eggs are found, the person has a pinworm infection. Usually the whole family needs to be treated with medicine. This is because pinworms are easily passed back and forth between family members.

Risks

There are no risks with this test.

References

Dent AE, Kazura JW. Enterobiasis (Enterobius vermicularis). In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. Geme JW, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 294.

Maguire JH. Intestinal nematodes (roundworms). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett’s Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases, Updated Edition. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 288.

Anal Itching in Young Children

Possible Causes

Pinworms

Pinworms are parasites that live in the intestines. The infection is spread by ingesting microscopic pinworm eggs. Young children often put their hands in their mouths and may not practice good hand hygiene before eating. An infected child may spread the infection if he gets eggs from the anal area on his hands and touches other children’s hands or food. Eggs can get on objects such as shared toys, bedding, clothing, and toilet seats. Eggs can also get on surfaces when changing children’s soiled underwear or bathing them.

Pinworms are common among preschool age children and adults who care for them. Pinworms are very contagious in a family or child care setting. Child care settings include family child care homes and center-based child care facilities.

Some children have pinworms without noticeable symptoms. The presence of pinworms can be diagnosed by a simple method. After the child has been asleep for 2 to 3 hours, apply transparent tape to the anus (rectum). Do not use translucent tape. The tape will collect any eggs and small, threadlike, white pinworms. Place the tape on a glass slide; seal another piece of tape over it; and take the specimen to a medical provider. The specimen can be examined under a microscope to identify eggs and pinworms.

Perianal Strep

Perianal strep may be suspected in infants and toddlers who have very red, itchy, or painful skin next to the rectum. Other family members may have recent strep throat infections.​

Poor Toilet Hygiene

Toilet “accidents” and poor toilet hygiene are common among young children. When girls do not wipe after urinating, and boys or girls do not wipe well after a bowel movement, the skin in the area that is damp or soiled may become irritated, causing itching.

Small/Tight Clothing

If clothing worn over the anal area is too tight, it may irritate the child and cause the child to frequently clutch and pull at the clothing.

What Parents Should Do

• Consult the child’s medical provider for testing and treatment.
• Follow caregiver recommendations.
• Trim the child’s fingernails short.
• Be sure to wash the child’s hands in the morning before breakfast and before any other meal or snack.
• If pinworms are the problem, wash the child’s bed linen, clothing, and towels in hot water. Use the high heat setting when drying. Do not shake items—this will scatter the eggs.

The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

Threadworms (pinworms) | healthdirect

What are threadworms?

Threadworms, also called pinworms, are tiny parasites that grow to about 13mm in length and look like tiny pieces of white thread. They live in the intestines.

How does threadworm infection occur?

People, usually children, get infected with threadworms by getting threadworm eggs on their hands and then putting their hands in their mouths. They swallow the eggs, which travel to the lower intestine where they grow into worms. The worms then move to the anus to lay their eggs. (The anus is where stools (poo) leave the body.)

The worms usually lay their eggs at night and both worms and eggs make the anal area itchy. If the skin around the anus is scratched and the hands are not carefully washed, the eggs on the hands can get back into the mouth, repeating the cycle.

Threadworm eggs are usually passed from one person to another. Worms can live on the skin, toys, and other objects for several weeks. If you touch your mouth with your hands after touching a contaminated toy or other object, you can become infected.

Humans do not catch threadworms from animals.

What are the symptoms of threadworm infection?

The main symptom is itching in the anal area. A child may have trouble sleeping because of the itchiness. Girls can also have redness and itching around the vagina.

How is the infection diagnosed?

It may be possible to see the worms on the person’s underwear. They may also be seen at night around a child’s buttocks. A doctor may suggest treatment for threadworms even if the child only has an itchy bottom since the infection is both common and easy to treat.

How is it treated?

Threadworms are easily treated with medicine prescribed by a doctor or available from your pharmacist. Usually the medicine is taken as a single dose, which is then repeated 2 weeks later. It is recommended that the child showers on the night the medicine is given and again the next morning to remove eggs laid during the night.

It is also very important for the whole family to be treated at the same time, which is sometimes referred to as ‘worming the family’. It is very easy for the whole family to become infected because the eggs are easily passed from one person to another within a household, from hands or fingernails to towels, sheets and other surfaces.

When treatment is started, it’s important to wash sheets, towels, clothes, and anything else that might have eggs or worms on it, such as toys, in hot water. Also, make sure everyone changes their underwear every day. Be sure that everyone washes their hands before eating and after using the bathroom. Keep fingernails trimmed short.

How do I prevent threadworm infection?

Unfortunately, repeat infection is very common. To help reduce this and to prevent the threadworms from spreading to others, you can take the following precautions:

• Treat all other family members at the same time. Adults can also get threadworms.
• It is not necessary to ‘worm’ the family when you worm the family pets. Dogs and cats do not get threadworms or pass them on to humans.
• Encourage your child not to scratch, despite the itching.
• Keep your child’s fingernails clean and trimmed. Encourage children from biting their nails or thumb sucking.
• Have your child wash their hands with warm soapy water for at least 10 seconds after going to the toilet. Ensure they practise good personal hygiene.
• Launder bedding and toys in hot water.
• Vacuum often, to remove any eggs. 
• Discourage your child from eating food that has fallen on the floor.

Should I keep my child home from school?

Here’s a list of common childhood illnesses, including threadworms, and their recommended exclusion periods.

Pinworms | Advocare Childrens Medical Associates

Is this your child’s symptom?

• Tiny, harmless worms that can cause anal itching
• The pinworms live in the colon (large bowel)

Symptoms of Pinworms

• Itching and irritation of the anus and buttocks is the main symptom
• Sometimes, moves to the vagina and causes vaginal itching or discharge

Cause

• A white, very thin, threadlike worm, about ¼ inch (6 mm) long.
• It moves. If it doesn’t wiggle, it’s probably lint or a thread.
• The worm may be seen around the anus or on the child’s bottom. It is especially active at night or early morning.
• Rarely, the pinworm is seen on the surface of a stool.
• The pinworm’s secretions are a strong skin irritant and cause the itching.

When to Call for Pinworms

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

• Pinworm is seen. Reason: needs a pinworm medicine.
• Red and tender skin around the anus. Reason: could be Strep infection.
• Anal itching lasts more than 1 week
• You think your child needs to be seen
• You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

• Anal itching without a pinworm being seen
• Questions about pinworm exposure or contact

Care Advice

Treatment for Pinworms

1. What You Should Know About Pinworm Treatment:
   • Pinworms are the most common worm infection in the US.
   • Pinworms can cause anal itching.
   • Pinworms do not carry any diseases.
   • Treatment is very helpful.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Pinworm Medicine:
   • If a pinworm was seen, your child’s doctor will suggest a special pinworm medicine. Pinworm medicines are available without a prescription (such as Reese’s Pinworm Medicine). There are also prescription medicines that treat pinworms. Your doctor will decide which one is best for your child. Take as directed.
   • Give a repeat dose of the pinworm medicine in 2 weeks. Reason: To prevent the pinworms from coming back.
   • The repeat dose is needed because eggs can live for 1 to 2 weeks. Temperature and humidity levels also affect how long the eggs can stay alive.
3. Treating Close Contacts:
   • There is a slight risk that Pinworms may spread to others.
   • Treat family members only if they have symptoms.
   • If another child sleeps with the infected child, they also should be treated.
   • If any of your child’s friends have symptoms, be sure to tell their parents. These children should get tested or checked for pinworms.
4. Return to School:
   • Children with pinworms do not need to miss any child care or school.
5. What to Expect:
   • After taking the pinworm medicine, itching should stop in 5 to 7 days.
6. Prevention of Pinworms:
   • Wash hands and fingernails well before meals and after using the toilet.
7. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Anal symptoms last over 1 week after treatment
   • You think your child needs to be seen
   • Your child becomes worse

Treatment for Anal Itching Without Pinworm Being Seen

1. What You Should Know About Anal Itching:
   • There are many causes of itching around the anus. Some are more common than pinworms.
   • The most common cause is stool that has been left on the skin. Stool contains chemicals and germs that can cause itchy skin rashes. Try to prevent this by washing the skin off. After wiping off stool with toilet tissue, cleanse the skin with warm water.
   • Bubble bath can also cause an itchy bottom. Children with dry skin are at increased risk. Avoid bubble bath or any soapy bath water.
   • If these changes don’t get rid of the anal itching, get a pinworm test.
2. Pinworm Checks: Check your child for pinworms.
   • Examine the area around the anus, using a flashlight.
   • Look for a ¼-inch (6 mm), white, threadlike worm that moves.
   • Do this a few hours after your child goes to bed. Check him 2 nights in a row. Also, check him first thing in the morning for 2 days.
3. Scotch Tape Test:
   • If no adult pinworm is seen, call your doctor’s office. Ask for instructions on doing a Scotch-tape test for pinworm eggs. You can also use the technique below:
   • Take a piece of clear Scotch tape with the sticky side down. Touch it to the skin on both sides of the anus. Do this in the morning soon after your child has awakened. Also, do this before any bath or shower.
   • Put the sticky tape side that touched the skin on a slide. If you don’t have a slide, put it on a second piece of tape.
   • Do it 2 mornings in a row.
   • Bring the 2 samples in to be looked at under a microscope.
4. Steroid Cream for Itching:
   • For the itching, wash the skin around the anus with warm water.
   • For severe itch, use 1% hydrocortisone cream (such as Cortaid) 2 times per day. Use for 1 or 2 days. No prescription is needed.
5. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Pinworm is seen
   • Skin around the anus gets red or tender
   • Anal itching lasts more than 1 week
   • You think your child needs to be seen
   • Your child becomes worse

Treatment for Pinworm Exposure

1. Low Risk for Getting Pinworms:
   • Your child has had contact with a child with pinworms, but no symptoms now. Your child probably won’t get them. This is especially likely if over a month has passed.
   • If contact is within the last month, your child may get pinworms. This risk is small.
   • Pinworms are harmless. They are never present very long without being seen or causing anal itching.
2. Scotch Tape Test:
   • If you’re still worried, call your doctor’s office. Ask for instructions on doing a Scotch tape test. This can be done to look for pinworm eggs.
   • Do this about 1 month after contact.
   • Reason: The swallowed egg will not become an adult pinworm for 3 or 4 weeks.
3. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Pinworm is seen (white, ¼ inch or 6 mm, and moves)
   • Anal itching lasts more than 1 week
   • You think your child needs to be seen

Treatment for Reducing Reinfection or Spread to Others

1. Preventing Pinworm Infections:
   • Infection is caused by swallowing pinworm eggs.
   • A child can get pinworms no matter how carefully you clean.
   • The following hygiene measures, however, can help to reduce the chances of reinfection. It also can reduce the chance of new infections in other people.
   • Pets don’t carry pinworms.
2. Wash Hands:
   • Have your child scrub the hands and fingernails well before each meal. Also, wash the hands well after each use of the toilet.
   • Keep the fingernails cut short, because eggs can collect here.
   • Help your child give up thumb sucking and nail biting.
3. Shower:
   • Each morning give your child a shower.
   • Always rinse the anal area.
   • Do this for 3 days after taking the pinworm medicine.
4. Vacuum:
   • Vacuum or wet-mop your child’s bedroom once a week.
   • Any eggs left on the floor can still infect others for 1 or 2 weeks.
5. Wash Clothes:
   • Wash clothes and bedding at a hot temperature. This will kill any eggs left in them.
6. Return to School:
   • Children with pinworms do not need to miss any child care or school.

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the ‘Call Your Doctor’ symptoms.

Copyright 2000-2021. Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC.

Pinworms | Advocare Summit Pediatrics

Is this your child’s symptom?

• Tiny, harmless worms that can cause anal itching
• The pinworms live in the colon (large bowel)

Symptoms of Pinworms

• Itching and irritation of the anus and buttocks is the main symptom
• Sometimes, moves to the vagina and causes vaginal itching or discharge

Cause

• A white, very thin, threadlike worm, about ¼ inch (6 mm) long.
• It moves. If it doesn’t wiggle, it’s probably lint or a thread.
• The worm may be seen around the anus or on the child’s bottom. It is especially active at night or early morning.
• Rarely, the pinworm is seen on the surface of a stool.
• The pinworm’s secretions are a strong skin irritant and cause the itching.

When to Call for Pinworms

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

• Pinworm is seen. Reason: needs a pinworm medicine.
• Red and tender skin around the anus. Reason: could be Strep infection.
• Anal itching lasts more than 1 week
• You think your child needs to be seen
• You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

• Anal itching without a pinworm being seen
• Questions about pinworm exposure or contact

Care Advice

Treatment for Pinworms

1. What You Should Know About Pinworm Treatment:
   • Pinworms are the most common worm infection in the US.
   • Pinworms can cause anal itching.
   • Pinworms do not carry any diseases.
   • Treatment is very helpful.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Pinworm Medicine:
   • If a pinworm was seen, your child’s doctor will suggest a special pinworm medicine. Pinworm medicines are available without a prescription (such as Reese’s Pinworm Medicine). There are also prescription medicines that treat pinworms. Your doctor will decide which one is best for your child. Take as directed.
   • Give a repeat dose of the pinworm medicine in 2 weeks. Reason: To prevent the pinworms from coming back.
   • The repeat dose is needed because eggs can live for 1 to 2 weeks. Temperature and humidity levels also affect how long the eggs can stay alive.
3. Treating Close Contacts:
   • There is a slight risk that Pinworms may spread to others.
   • Treat family members only if they have symptoms.
   • If another child sleeps with the infected child, they also should be treated.
   • If any of your child’s friends have symptoms, be sure to tell their parents. These children should get tested or checked for pinworms.
4. Return to School:
   • Children with pinworms do not need to miss any child care or school.
5. What to Expect:
   • After taking the pinworm medicine, itching should stop in 5 to 7 days.
6. Prevention of Pinworms:
   • Wash hands and fingernails well before meals and after using the toilet.
7. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Anal symptoms last over 1 week after treatment
   • You think your child needs to be seen
   • Your child becomes worse

Treatment for Anal Itching Without Pinworm Being Seen

1. What You Should Know About Anal Itching:
   • There are many causes of itching around the anus. Some are more common than pinworms.
   • The most common cause is stool that has been left on the skin. Stool contains chemicals and germs that can cause itchy skin rashes. Try to prevent this by washing the skin off. After wiping off stool with toilet tissue, cleanse the skin with warm water.
   • Bubble bath can also cause an itchy bottom. Children with dry skin are at increased risk. Avoid bubble bath or any soapy bath water.
   • If these changes don’t get rid of the anal itching, get a pinworm test.
2. Pinworm Checks: Check your child for pinworms.
   • Examine the area around the anus, using a flashlight.
   • Look for a ¼-inch (6 mm), white, threadlike worm that moves.
   • Do this a few hours after your child goes to bed. Check him 2 nights in a row. Also, check him first thing in the morning for 2 days.
3. Scotch Tape Test:
   • If no adult pinworm is seen, call your doctor’s office. Ask for instructions on doing a Scotch-tape test for pinworm eggs. You can also use the technique below:
   • Take a piece of clear Scotch tape with the sticky side down. Touch it to the skin on both sides of the anus. Do this in the morning soon after your child has awakened. Also, do this before any bath or shower.
   • Put the sticky tape side that touched the skin on a slide. If you don’t have a slide, put it on a second piece of tape.
   • Do it 2 mornings in a row.
   • Bring the 2 samples in to be looked at under a microscope.
4. Steroid Cream for Itching:
   • For the itching, wash the skin around the anus with warm water.
   • For severe itch, use 1% hydrocortisone cream (such as Cortaid) 2 times per day. Use for 1 or 2 days. No prescription is needed.
5. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Pinworm is seen
   • Skin around the anus gets red or tender
   • Anal itching lasts more than 1 week
   • You think your child needs to be seen
   • Your child becomes worse

Treatment for Pinworm Exposure

1. Low Risk for Getting Pinworms:
   • Your child has had contact with a child with pinworms, but no symptoms now. Your child probably won’t get them. This is especially likely if over a month has passed.
   • If contact is within the last month, your child may get pinworms. This risk is small.
   • Pinworms are harmless. They are never present very long without being seen or causing anal itching.
2. Scotch Tape Test:
   • If you’re still worried, call your doctor’s office. Ask for instructions on doing a Scotch tape test. This can be done to look for pinworm eggs.
   • Do this about 1 month after contact.
   • Reason: The swallowed egg will not become an adult pinworm for 3 or 4 weeks.
3. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Pinworm is seen (white, ¼ inch or 6 mm, and moves)
   • Anal itching lasts more than 1 week
   • You think your child needs to be seen

Treatment for Reducing Reinfection or Spread to Others

1. Preventing Pinworm Infections:
   • Infection is caused by swallowing pinworm eggs.
   • A child can get pinworms no matter how carefully you clean.
   • The following hygiene measures, however, can help to reduce the chances of reinfection. It also can reduce the chance of new infections in other people.
   • Pets don’t carry pinworms.
2. Wash Hands:
   • Have your child scrub the hands and fingernails well before each meal. Also, wash the hands well after each use of the toilet.
   • Keep the fingernails cut short, because eggs can collect here.
   • Help your child give up thumb sucking and nail biting.
3. Shower:
   • Each morning give your child a shower.
   • Always rinse the anal area.
   • Do this for 3 days after taking the pinworm medicine.
4. Vacuum:
   • Vacuum or wet-mop your child’s bedroom once a week.
   • Any eggs left on the floor can still infect others for 1 or 2 weeks.
5. Wash Clothes:
   • Wash clothes and bedding at a hot temperature. This will kill any eggs left in them.
6. Return to School:
   • Children with pinworms do not need to miss any child care or school.

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the ‘Call Your Doctor’ symptoms.

Copyright 2000-2021. Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC.

90,000 photos, symptoms, treatment “- Yandex.Q

Contents:

To date, science knows about 280 types of worms that can develop and live in the human body, parasitizing in various organs and tissues. The frequency of human worm infection depends on the climatic and socio-economic conditions of specific territories (in underdeveloped countries, especially in those located in the tropical and subtropical zones, the level of parasitic infections is much higher than in economically developed countries).According to statistics, only in Russia, which is the habitat of 20 species of worms capable of parasitizing in the human body, about 15 million people are infected annually, of which 80% are children.

Ways of human infection with helminths

1. Biohelminthiasis (infection from animals).
2. Contagious helminthiases (transmitted from person to person).
3. Geohelminthiasis (diseases caused by parasites that carry out one of their life cycles in the earth).

Factors affecting the manifestations of helminthiasis

• The way the parasite enters the body;

• The degree of adaptation of the helminth to the human body;
• Population density (number) of parasitic individuals;
• Habitat of the worm (tissue parasites live in the thickness of soft tissues, and luminal ones live in the gaps of hollow organs). Some helminths in different phases have both luminal and tissue forms.Larval and developing stages of worms, as a rule, cause more pronounced pathological changes.

In the absence of re-infection, the number of adult parasites in the human body does not increase. This feature significantly distinguishes helminthic invasions from diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa.

Worms in humans: symptoms

Helminthiasis is a disease characterized by 2 stages of the course (acute, from two weeks to two months) and chronic (from several months to several years).

Symptoms of the acute phase of helminthiasis

The first signs of the disease can appear at different times (most often after 2-3 weeks, with ascariasis – after 2-3 days, and with filariasis, the incubation period can last 6-18 months).

In the acute stage of parasitic invasion, the most characteristic symptom is an allergic reaction (antibodies are produced to the antigens of migrating parasite larvae). Often in people infected with worms, itchy rashes appear on the skin, prone to a recurrent course, regional lymph nodes increase, generalized or local edema, muscle and joint pain may occur. Also, migrating parasite larvae can cause chest pains, coughing, choking attacks, upset stools, nausea and vomiting.

At the same time, the acute phase of helminthiasis may be accompanied by more serious disorders (severe forms of pneumonia, hepatitis, allergic myocarditis, hepatosplenomegaly (enlarged liver and spleen), meningoencephalitis).

In the blood, the number of eosinophils increases (eosinophilia) and the normal quantitative ratio between protein fractions is disturbed (dysproteinemia).

Signs of chronic helminthiasis

The symptomatology of the chronic phase directly depends on which organ is “inhabited” by parasites, and also their size and number play an important role.

So, when parasitizing in the intestines of single individuals, the disease may be asymptomatic (except for cases of infection with very large parasites). The characteristic signs of the chronic phase of intestinal helminthiasis are dyspeptic disorders. In children, asthenoneurotic and pain syndrome is more pronounced. With massive invasion of roundworms, the development of intestinal obstruction, obstructive jaundice and pancreatitis is possible.

Consuming all the substances necessary for their vital activity from the host’s body, helminths cause digestive disorders, impaired absorption of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins and fats. At the same time, the waste products of worms inhibit the normal intestinal microflora and reduce the body’s immune forces.

In people suffering from helminthiases, due to a weakened immune system and an increased process of cell division (a consequence of the constant restoration of tissues damaged by parasites), the risk of malignant tumors increases significantly.

Types of helminths parasitizing in the human body

The causative agents of human helminthiasis are 2 types of worms: round (nematodes) and flat (tapeworms and flukes).

Round worms

Pinworm

Parasites that cause enterobiasis are small (up to 10 mm) thin cavity worms with a grayish-white coloration.Infection occurs alimentary (through the mouth). The reason for this is dirty hands. The eggs of the parasite can be in the ground, on the wool of infected animals, unwashed vegetables and fruits, etc. At the same time, with enterobiasis, cases of self-infection are frequent (especially in children), resulting from scratching of the itchy areas and subsequent ingestion of eggs. The pinworm larva develops within two weeks in the digestive tract. Having turned into an adult, the worm parasitizes in the lower sections of the small and upper sections of the colon.

Even in the larval stage, the pinworm begins to harm the body of its host, producing enzymes that irritate the intestinal walls and lead to the development of an inflammatory process. Adult parasites stick or penetrate into the deeper layers of the intestinal mucosa, disrupting its integrity and contributing to the attachment of a secondary bacterial infection. In the case of pinworms perforation of the wall of the small intestine, peritonitis may develop. Also, due to irritation of the intestinal receptors, the motor and secretory functions of the gastrointestinal tract are disrupted, leading to the formation of gastroduodenitis, enteritis, etc.In childhood, long-term enterobiasis can cause nervous disorders and retardation in physical development.

Ascaris

Ascaris is a large spindle-shaped parasite of red-yellow color, reaching 40 cm (females) and 15-25 cm (males) in adulthood. Without suction cups or other fastening devices, the roundworm is able to independently move towards the food masses. The eggs laid by the female of the parasite are excreted along with the feces.

Infection with ascariasis occurs when mature eggs are swallowed together with water or unwashed vegetables and fruits, which have soil particles. After the eggs enter the intestines, mature larvae emerge from them. Then, penetrating into the intestinal wall, they reach the heart through the bloodstream, and from there they enter the lungs. Through the pulmonary alveoli, the roundworm larva through the respiratory tract again enters the oral cavity. After repeated swallowing, the parasite reaches the small intestine, where it develops into an adult.The worm lives for 12 months, then dies and is excreted along with the feces. In the intestines of one host, both one and several hundred individuals can live.

In the intestinal phase of their existence, roundworms, endowed with the ability to spiral movements, can penetrate even the narrowest openings. This feature of the parasite often leads to the development of rather serious complications (obstructive jaundice or pancreatitis). Allergens secreted by roundworms can provoke severe allergic reactions.Large numbers of adults can cause intestinal obstruction, and worms that enter the respiratory tract sometimes cause suffocation.

Vlasoglav

Vlasoglav, the causative agent of trichocephalosis, is a white helminth parasitizing in the initial section of the large intestine and reaching a size of 4-5 cm. The parasite feeds on blood and tissues of the rectal mucosa.

The whipworm eggs laid by the female on the intestinal walls come out together with the feces.Their development takes place in the environment (optimally in the soil). Eggs with the larvae of the parasite ripened in them enter the body through alimentary means, through dirty hands, with water or unwashed vegetables and fruits.

With small numbers of worms, trichocephalosis is asymptomatic. In a severe stage (with massive invasion), the patient develops abdominal pain, severe diarrhea develops, sometimes accompanied by rectal prolapse. This condition is most often observed in debilitated children.With a moderate phase of trichocephalosis, a child’s growth retardation is possible.

Trichinella

The causative agent of trichinosis is a small round helminth reaching 2-5 mm in length. Infection occurs when eating poorly roasted meat (pork, bear meat, wild boar). Penetrating into the intestines, the larva of the parasite matures in 3-4 days to the state of a sexually mature individual. The life span of the worm is 40 days, after which the parasite dies.By piercing the intestinal wall, the larvae enter the bloodstream and are carried to all organs of the human body, settling in the muscles. In this case, the respiratory and facial muscles, as well as the flexor muscles of the limbs, are most often affected.

In the first days after the invasion, patients complain of abdominal pain. Then, after about 2 weeks, the body temperature rises to 39-40 C, itchy rashes appear on the skin, muscle pains develop, and the face swells. During this period, in the case of massive infection, there is a significant risk of death.After about a month, there is a recovery. The parasite is encapsulated in a spiral form, after which it dies within two years.

Hookworm and nekator

These two parasites are similar in biological characteristics, as well as in caused diseases. In this regard, it is customary to combine them under a common name (hookworms). Worms, reaching lengths of 10-15 mm, parasitize in 12-p. intestine. It should be noted that this is one of the most common, but, at the same time, quite rarely detected parasites.Worm larvae enter the human body through the skin upon contact with contaminated soil. Further, entering the bloodstream, they, like roundworms, migrate to the lungs, and then, through the bronchi, together with expectorant sputum, to the digestive tract. Ankylostoma parasitizes in the intestine, attaching itself to the intestinal wall. The parasite, which feeds exclusively on blood, bites through the blood vessels that penetrate the mucous membrane, injecting an anticoagulant component there. On average, an adult can absorb 0.05-0.35 ml of blood per day.Therefore, the most characteristic symptom of this helminthiasis is iron deficiency anemia, as well as a change in the ratio of protein fractions (dysproteinemia).

Flat worms

Wide ribbon

This is one of the largest helminths, reaching a length of 10-20 meters. The disease caused by this parasite is called diphyllobothriasis. The worm’s developmental cycle begins with freshwater fish or crustaceans.The larva enters the human body, which is the final owner of the broad tapeworm, along with eggs or infected fish fillets. Reaching the small intestine, the parasite attaches to its wall and grows to a mature individual within 20-25 days.

Diphyllobothriasis occurs against the background of disorders of the digestive tract and B12-deficiency anemia.

Hepatic fluke

The parasite that causes opisthorchiasis is a flat worm reaching a length of 7-20 mm.It should be noted that more than 50% of cases of infection with the hepatic fluke (also called the cat’s fluke) occur in the inhabitants of Russia. The larvae of the parasite begin to develop after the eggs enter fresh water (from the snails that have swallowed them). Then they penetrate into the body of fish (carp, crucian carp, bream, roach). Human infection occurs when eating contaminated fish meat that has not undergone sufficient heat treatment. The larva of the hepatic fluke from the small intestine penetrates into the bile ducts and into the gallbladder, fixing there with the help of two suction cups.

In the acute phase of helminthiasis, the patient has soreness in the upper abdomen, the body temperature rises, nausea develops, muscle pains, diarrhea, and skin rashes are possible. The chronic course of opisthorchiasis is manifested by symptoms of hepatitis, inflammation of the bile ducts, cholecystitis, disturbances in the digestive tract, nervous disorders, weakness and increased fatigue. The parasite leads to the development of irreversible changes, and even after its expulsion, the patient does not undergo chronic inflammatory processes and functional disorders.

Bovine and pork tapeworm

These parasites, almost identical in structure, reach a length of 5-6 meters. Infection with teniarinhoses and teniasis occurs due to the consumption of meat from cattle or pork infected by the Finns (one of the intermediate forms of helminthiasis). Viable Finns, presented in the form of whitish bubbles reaching 0.5 cm in size, attach to the wall of the human small intestine and turn into an adult in 3 months.The tape parasite, consisting of more than 2000 segments, is constantly growing. In this case, the end segments, containing eggs, break off and independently move along the large intestine to the anus, and then crawl out of the anus, or are released into the external environment along with feces. The most characteristic symptoms of helminthiasis is disruption of the digestive tract.

Echinococcus

For this parasite, man is an intermediate host.The worm parasitizes the human body in the form of the Finns. The final owner of echinococcus is a wolf, dog or cat. Infection occurs alimentary through contact with animals and with environmental objects seeded with Echinococcus eggs. After entering the intestine, oncospheres (six-hooked larvae) develop from them. From the intestines, they enter the bloodstream and are carried throughout the body.

The “favorite” parasitic sites of the worm are the liver and lungs. By settling in these organs, the larva turns into a Finn (echinococcal cyst), which, gradually increasing in size, begins to destroy nearby tissues.Often, echinococcosis in the diagnostic process is mistaken for a tumor of benign or malignant origin. In addition to mechanical impact (squeezing of organs and blood vessels), echinococcal cyst rupture sometimes occurs. This condition can cause toxic shock or the formation of multiple new cysts.

Alveococcus

This parasite, considered a type of echinococcus, is the cause of one of the most dangerous helminthiases (alveococcosis), which is similar in severity to cirrhosis and liver cancer.Infection occurs when oncospheres (eggs with mature larvae) penetrate into the intestines. There, the embryo leaves the egg and, penetrating into the intestinal walls, enters the bloodstream. Further, with the blood flow, the parasite spreads to all tissues and organs of the body (most often it is localized in the liver). It is there that the main stage of development begins in the larvae (a multi-chambered bubble, laurocyst is formed). Each chamber contains the embryonic head of the parasite, which continues to develop gradually. Laurocysts are very aggressive formations that constantly grow due to enlarging bubbles, and also have the ability to grow into the liver, like cancer metastases.Necrotic changes due to disturbances in the functioning of blood vessels undergo necrotic changes in nearby tissues. Spreading to nearby structures, the alveococcus forms fibrous nodes with inclusions of multicameral bubbles. This condition can last for several years, and therefore it requires mandatory surgical intervention.

Diagnostics of helminthiasis

Diagnostics of helminthic invasions includes the following activities:

• a thorough history taking to find out the possible causes of infection;
• laboratory tests of feces, blood, intestinal contents 12p, rectal and perianal mucus, muscle tissue, pulmonary sputum, bile. The analysis may reveal eggs, segments or fragments of parasites. At the same time, an increased content of eosinophils in the blood is also a signal of the presence of helminthiasis.
• when diagnosing diseases caused by larval stages or tissue parasites, serological studies are carried out (ELISA, RSK, indirect agglutination reaction, immunofluorescence analysis, etc.).
• for the detection of helminths that affect the liver tissue, ultrasound, CT and endoscopic studies are prescribed.

Worms in humans: treatment

In the acute phase of parasitic infection, the patient is prescribed detoxification and desensitization therapy. In severe cases of the disease (trematodes of the liver, trichinosis), glucocorticoids are used according to medical indications.

As drugs of specific therapy, taking into account the nature of the pathogen, special anthelmintic chemotherapeutic agents are prescribed.

In parallel, the patient is recommended to take antihistamines and enterosorbents. The final stage of treatment includes the use of probiotics that normalize the intestinal microflora.

A special sparing diet is also prescribed (food should be digestible and low in fat).

During the period of antihelminthic therapy, the patient is required to strictly observe personal hygiene (in order to avoid re-infection). At the same time, for many helminthiasis, all family members and persons who are in constant contact with the infected must undergo treatment.

Prevention of helminthiasis

• Compliance with personal and public hygiene;
• Strict adherence to cooking technology;
• Regular examination and preventive treatment of pets;
• Thorough washing of fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs;
• Correct processing of river fish;
• Refusal to consume raw, slightly salted and dried fish.

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Skin itching: causes, skin diseases, allergies, diseases of internal organs and systems

The very word “itch” is already causing a reaction in the body. Do you reach out to scratch some part of your body, or are you just fidgeting in your chair now? It is a natural response to the signals our brain sends. Nerve endings are located on the skin throughout our body. It is they who, through the spinal cord, transmit to our brain information about the presence of an irritant to which it is necessary to respond.

For example, the usual reaction when a fly has landed on us to warm up or a mosquito intending to drink our blood will immediately drive away the insect and scratch or rub the area of ​​the skin where it was located. This is how our neural connections work. But as for itching – a sensation that occurs in the body and makes it itch – it is believed that there are no specific receptors that perceive it. Our nervous system encodes different combinations of excitation of skin receptors as an itching sensation.Therefore, it should be admitted that this phenomenon has not yet been fully studied.

What is itching

If we go back to the example of insects, then if the mosquito still managed to drink our blood, then for some time the place of the bite on the body may want to comb. This type of pruritus is called localized . It is caused mainly by insect bites or crawling on the body. But also this type includes anal itching (itching in the anus), itching of the vulva (itching in the vagina) and itchy scalp, indicating various diseases.It often has a paroxysmal character.

Generalized pruritus can also be a symptom or consequence of certain diseases and conditions. Itching of the skin can be of varying degrees of intensity, and create serious discomfort for a person. This type of itching can be permanent. In such cases, you should consult a dermatologist.

Should I make an appointment with a dermatologist right away?

You shouldn’t panic, of course. But, of course, you should listen to your body and consult a doctor in cases where itchy skin:

• worries for more than 14 days;
• causes discomfort and insomnia;
• occurs throughout the body or is localized in certain areas;
• is supplemented by other symptoms, such as: a sharp weight loss, loss of strength, a change in the nature of stool and urine, and others.

These conditions will be enough to contact a dermatologist and get timely advice, if necessary, referral for laboratory examination, and further treatment based on the results of the diagnosis.

Causes of itching

Let’s look at the reasons that can cause itchy skin and consider them in more detail.

Diseases of internal organs and systems

1. Diseases of the liver and biliary tract

Often, itchy skin accompanies such diseases of the liver and biliary tract as cholestasis – in 80-100 percent of cases, with cholelithiasis, less often with Gilbert’s syndrome.Also, about 10 percent of patients with cirrhosis of the liver suffer from itching due to the accumulation of toxic bile acids in the blood, 20 percent – chronic hepatitis, up to 3 percent – oncology of the pancreas.

The doctor may prescribe Program 114 “Liver tests”, Bacteriological culture + antibioticogram of bile, Gilbert’s syndrome, familial non-hemolytic hyperbilirubinemia / toxicity, Program 164 “Check for hepatitis A, B and C”, Biochemistry of Fibromax and Fibrotest to assess liver fibrosis.For autoimmune lesions – Antibodies to mitochondria (AMA) – screening, Antibodies to soluble liver antigen (anti-SLA) – qualitative, Antibodies to liver and kidney microsomes, ANTI-LKM – screening, Antibodies to mitochondria (AMA-M2).

2. Kidney disease

Patients diagnosed with uremia (renal failure), especially at the last stage of the disease and receiving maintenance hemodialysis, experience itchy skin in 77 percent of cases. By prescribing dialysis, the doctor helps to reduce its intensity as much as possible until it disappears.

3. Diseases of the thyroid gland

During the course of treatment with drugs of diffuse toxic goiter, patients may experience pruritus.

4. Diabetes mellitus

The cause of itching in the genital area is candidiasis, progressing against the background of increased blood glucose levels. Itchy scalp can occur with diabetic neuropathy.

5.Hematological diseases

About 50 percent of those diagnosed with polycythemia vera are concerned about itching, which is even more active when interacting with hot water. In 30 percent of patients with lymphogranulomatosis, itching begins in the region of the lower extremities and, as the disease progresses, spreads over the entire surface of the body. It can also manifest itself with iron deficiency anemia, mastocytosis, paraproteinemia, lymphocytic leukemia. Often, with hematological diseases, itching is the first signal of an illness.

6.HIV

People with HIV often suffer from itching, but in 92 percent of cases it is caused by concomitant infections due to suppressed immunity.

7. Autoimmune diseases of the nervous system

In the case of multiple sclerosis, itchy skin may have the character of sudden attacks. After suffering cerebral hemorrhage occurs on the other side of the damaged area of ​​the brain.Sometimes itching is taken as a manifestation of paresthesia – a sensitivity disorder in which there may be a burning sensation, sensations of insects crawling on the skin, etc. Paresthesias are accompanied by many nervous diseases.

Skin diseases

1. Psoriasis

In the case of the rapid development of the disease, itching disturbs the patient in the areas of the body affected by psoriasis, accompanied by severe peeling of the skin. The causes of occurrence can be stress, various kinds of emotional upheavals, disturbances in the work of the endocrine system.The disease is characterized by red, very dry spots on the skin, which subsequently merge into one, forming plaques. When scratching the affected areas, wounds are formed that do not heal for a long time.

2. Eczema

Itching does not always accompany the course of the disease. In 20-30% of cases, eczema affects people who are subject to allergic reactions to food or drugs, but there are other reasons for its occurrence. Seborrheic eczema is caused by yeast-like fungi, and it manifests itself in areas of the body with high activity of the sebaceous glands, accompanied by itching.

Atopic eczema, accompanied by itchy skin, most often begins at an early age and appears as a result of an allergic reaction. Relapse can also occur at a more mature age. In children, it is mainly manifested by redness on the cheeks, and in adults, on the elbows, knees and wrists.

Contact eczema differs in that it is more local – spots on the body are located at the site of contact with the allergen, where itching occurs.

Eczema looks like a spot, in place of which bubbles appear, which subsequently break open and transform into crusts.

Parasites, bacteria, viruses

1. Helminthiasis

Helminthiasis is caused by parasitic worms, helminths. You can get infected if you do not adhere to the rules of hygiene – do not wash your hands before eating or vegetables and fruits before eating, drink tap water, etc. Patients with helminthiasis can be greatly disturbed by itching of the anus.

2. Scabies

The scabies mite can bring a lot of problems with it. Scabies is characterized by a rash and itching all over the body. When scratching, secondary pustules may occur due to infection in this way.

3. Demodecosis

The cause of itching in this disease are glandular mites that affect the patient’s hair follicles and sebaceous glands.

4. Pediculosis

The disease is caused by parasites such as head lice, body lice and pubic lice.At the site of the parasite bites on the body, itching occurs on the skin. When scratching the affected area, pustules may also occur due to infection.

5. Pulicose

Pulicosis is caused by human flea bites. An itchy rash develops on the affected area of ​​the skin, and the very site of the bite of the parasite swells. In addition to the discomfort caused by itching, a human flea can also carry many pathogens of dangerous diseases.

6. Streptoderma

Streptococcal impetigo – one of the varieties of superficial streptoderma – caused by staphylococci and streptococci.Bacteria penetrate the skin in the presence of even minor damage to the epidermis. As a result of infection, a rash and skin itching appears on the surface of the body.

7. Folliculitis

Often folliculitis – an inflammation of the hair follicle – appears due to a mixed strepto-staphylococcal infection or due to ignoring the rules of personal hygiene, excessive sweating, friction of the skin on clothing. Itching occurs in the area of ​​the affected follicles.

8.Herpes

Infection with the virus is manifested by a rash on the skin and mucous membranes. It has several types that cause different diseases, including simple, genital herpes, chickenpox, shingles, and others. Most of the above ailments accompany itching, burning and cause severe discomfort to the patient. It can also occur with postherpetic neuralgia.

The doctor may prescribe Herpes simplex, Herpes simplex, antibodies to types 1/2 IgG, Herpes simplex, Herpes simplex, antibodies to types 1/2 IgM, Herpes simplex, Herpes simplex, antibodies to type 2 IgG, Herpes, Human herpesvirus, antibodies to type 8 IgG, Herpes simplex Herpes simplex, types 1/2, DNA by REAL TIME PCR – quality., Herpes, Human herpesvirus, type 6, DNA by REAL TIME PCR – quant., Herpes simplex Herpes simplex, types 1/2, DNA by REAL TIME PCR – quality.

Allergies and urticaria

One of the most common causes of urticaria is a reaction to an allergen. An allergen can be both medicinal substances, food products, insect allergens, and the effect of such factors, low and high temperatures, etc.

If allergies are suspected as the cause of urticaria, the doctor can use studies to identify sensitization to drugs; food products, for example, such as specific Ig E to berries, citrus fruits, eggs, fish, etc.

Dry skin

Due to hard water in combination with ordinary soap, insufficient rehydration of the body, the skin becomes dry, flaky, and therefore itching may appear. In this case, to get rid of itching, you need to regularly moisturize your skin and drink more fluids.

The problem of dry skin is also common among the elderly, when the sebaceous and sweat glands are no longer active. In this case, we are dealing with senile, or senile, itching.

Deficiency of vitamins and minerals

The skin needs to be nourished not only with water and cosmetics, but also with useful vitamins and minerals. With vitamin deficiency, the skin dries up, which can cause itching. Compensating for the lack of vitamins of group A, B, C, D, iron and zinc, you can not only get rid of the problem of peeling and itching, but also from acne.

Psychogenic itching

In connection with such conditions as stress, emotional upheaval, overwork, depression on a nervous basis, skin itching may occur.Also, this form of itching can be attributed to the fact that after reading the article you will want to scratch yourself.

Pregnancy

For various reasons, many pregnant women are faced with the problem of itchy skin almost from the first weeks. In some cases, it may be due to hormones, in some to skin stretching or allergens.

Skin restoration

Skin healing after cosmetic procedures, burns can indeed be accompanied by itching due to increased blood circulation in the body area.

Menopause

The period of restructuring of a woman’s body during menopause affects hormones that can affect the appearance of itching, mainly in intimate areas.

Conclusions

As you can see, itchy skin can cause many reasons: viruses, parasites, allergies, concomitant diseases, etc. In order to identify the cause, you will need to consult a dermatologist.

Well, for prevention and in order not to face this problem, several simple rules can be distinguished:

• Undergo a complete examination of the body at least once a year.
• Timely treat skin diseases, infectious, fungal, liver, kidney, etc.
• In case of allergies, avoid contact with irritants.
• Observe the rules of personal hygiene.
• Avoid stress, try to get enough sleep and enjoy every day.
• Eat a healthy and balanced diet and drink plenty of water.
• Regularly moisturize the skin.

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20.10.2021

18.10.2021

18.10.2021

Diagnostics of onchocerciasis – to pass the analysis to SZCDM

Onchocerciasis is a helminthic invasion, which is also called “river blindness”.Nematodes affect the lymph nodes, skin, and eyes. This leads to the formation of an itchy rash, fibrous nodes, ulcers, and the development of lymphedema. The most serious damage occurs in the infected eye. Which leads to chronic conjunctivitis, inflammation of the cornea, glaucoma, cataracts, inflammation of the vessels of the eye. The risk of developing blindness is very high.

Definition of disease

Onchocerciasis is caused by helminths parasitizing in the human body. The disease is transmitted by the bites of infected midges.They inhabit fast flowing rivers near fertile lands. Therefore, people involved in agriculture are most often affected. In countries with an unfavorable epidemiological situation, there are more than 20 million people suffering from this disease. About 2% of them suffered significant loss of vision or became blind.

WHO classifies onchocerciasis as a neglected disease. However, it is still found in the world. First of all, in the countries of Africa, Latin America, Yemen.Sometimes there are isolated cases in other countries.

In 2013, Colombia received a certificate from WHO for the elimination of onchocerciasis. In 2014, Ecuador became such a country, Mexico in 2015, and Guatemala in 2016. To eliminate the disease, groups and communities are treated with ivermectin. Drug treatment is carried out not only in humans, but also in animals. As a rule, large-scale campaigns are carried out twice a year, and additional ones are carried out as patients are found in the field.It sometimes takes more than a dozen years to completely get rid of the parasite on the territory of the country.

Reasons

Onchocerciasis is caused by parasitic helminths, the nematodes Onchocerca volvulus. The infection is spread by infected midges of the genus Similium. The life cycle of an onchocerci consists of several stages:

• When bitten by a midge, it infects a person.

• The worm penetrates into the subcutaneous tissue and grows to a sexually mature form.

• Females give birth to microfillaria. They are localized under the skin, in the lymph nodes. Sometimes detected in blood and urine, can get into the eyes. If at this stage a healthy insect bites a person, then it becomes infected and passes on to the next microfillaria that has fallen into it.

Onchocerci are filamentous roundworms ranging in length from 19 to 50 mm at maturity. The size of the larvae ranges from 0.05 to 0.35 mm.Females are larger than males. The life span of the larva is up to 2.5 years; adults can live up to 15 years. For a year of life, females produce up to 1 million microfilariae.

Parasitizing the skin, Hilmites cause dermatitis, depigmentation, onchocercomas, and ulcers. When lymph nodes are invaded, lymphostasis and lymphadenopathy develop. Penetration of larvae into the eyes leads to damage to the vessels, retina, and optic nerve.

Symptoms

The formation of the disease is long, the first signs appear on average 12 months after infection.Symptoms include the following:

• Fever with an increase in body temperature up to +40 C.

• General malaise, weakness.

• Filarial scabies, accompanied by dryness, flaking, itching, hyperpigmentation of the skin.

• A papular rash that forms into pustules and ulcers that do not heal for a long time.

• Blood eosinophilia – an increase in the number of eosinophils, blood cells that protect the body from parasites.

Significant and repeated infestations lead to serious damage to the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Elasticity is lost, the structure changes, the skin seems to be covered with an orange peel. This condition is sometimes referred to as “elephant” or “crocodile skin”. Skin depigmentation develops, these areas are conventionally called “leopard skin”.

The most common changes occur in the legs, axillary and groin areas. As a result of pathological changes, the epidermis, sweat glands, and hair follicles atrophy. In some patients, huge hanging folds of skin are formed, inguinal and femoral hernias occur.

If the lymph nodes are damaged, they can increase to such a size that will lead to lymphostasis of the scrotum and lower extremities (elephantiasis).

Another pronounced clinical picture is the formation of onchocerci.These are subcutaneous nodes, up to 10 cm in diameter. They are dense, painful on palpation. More often occur on the head, upper back, in the pelvic region. If an onchocercoma develops near the joint, it will lead to arthritis.

Migration of onchocerci into the ocular environment

The most dangerous is onchocerciasis during the migration of larvae into the environment of the eye. Microfilariae on the cornea cause conjunctivitis. Symptoms include:

• photophobia,

• lacrimation

• swelling.

Due to the death of parasites, foci of keratitis (inflammation of the cornea) are formed. This is expressed by the following symptoms: “flies in the eyes”, redness, inflammation, a decrease in the transparency and shine of the cornea.

Further damage leads to punctate keratitis, iridocyclitis, corneal cysts, damage to the optic nerve. Depigmentation of the iris can often be observed. Over time, chorioretinitis, cataracts, glaucoma, and blindness develop.

Diagnostics

Clinical manifestations of onchocerciasis

The presence of the disease can be suspected by specific dermatitis, inflammation of the lymph nodes, ocular lesions and onchocerci. It is important to establish the place of infection, to find out whether the patient has visited countries with an unfavorable epidemic in the last year. setting.

Laboratory and instrumental diagnostics of onchocerciasis

There are several ways to confirm the diagnosis:

• Micro-examination of skin sections;

• PCR of skin samples;

• determination of the level of antibodies by ELISA, RSK.

The antibody test should be used in conjunction with other diagnostic methods, since it itself has limited informational value. First of all, it cannot differentiate some helminths from others. Secondly, it does not allow to distinguish between an infection that existed earlier and that which is currently active.

An ultrasound machine is used to detect subcutaneous nodules. It is important to study the condition of the eye tissues. For this, biomicroscopy is performed.The parasite can be detected by inspection with a slit lamp. If, as a result of the examination, microfilariae were detected, an ophthalmologist should also monitor the patient’s condition and the effectiveness of treatment.

Laboratory and instrumental diagnostics can differentiate onchocerciasis from similar diseases with similar symptoms. It is necessary to exclude fungal skin lesions, infection with the eye nematode Loa loa, syphilis and other diseases.

Treatment

Therapy of onchocerciasis is carried out by a parasitologist, under the supervision of an ophthalmologist, dermatologist, immunologist.The treatment regimen is prescribed individually, carried out within the hospital. This is due to the fact that the massive death of parasites can lead to severe allergic and intoxication reactions of the body.

To suppress allergies, antihistamines, corticosteroids are prescribed, and the blood is purified by plasmapheresis. Onchocerciasis nodes are removed surgically. Physical removal of parasites also significantly reduces microfilariaemia.

Disease prevention

You can protect yourself individually in midge habitats by wearing protective suits and using repellents.

Insect control programs should be established at the local or state government level. To do this, insecticides are sprayed on the territory from helicopters and airplanes, destroying the larvae of the Similium midge. In endemic regions, it is necessary to carry out prophylaxis of the disease with ivermectin. Similar programs with the support of WHO have been launched in many African countries.

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MAJOR DISEASES OF RABBITS | Irkutsk Regional Veterinary Clinic

MAIN DISEASES OF RABBITS

1.INTRODUCTION

Diseases of rabbits have a fairly large list and many are very dangerous.

Domestic rabbits are susceptible to a wide range of viral diseases, eye and ear diseases. In addition, improper conditions of detention lead to the development of diseases of the paws, teeth, kidneys and other internal organs of the animal. At the same time, knowing the general symptoms and characteristics of a particular disease, you can significantly protect and preserve healthy rabbits, as well as prevent the development of infection.

2. DISEASES OF NON-INFECTIOUS ORIGIN.

The most frequently recorded diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. One of the causes of the disease in young rabbits of 20-30 days of age is the lack of mother’s milk, in connection with this, the rabbits gradually begin to eat roughage intended for the mother. Wounds form on the delicate mucous membranes of the digestive organs, inflammation of the stomach and intestines occurs.In adult animals, the cause of gastrointestinal tract disease is improper maintenance and feeding, such a disease can be observed when eating poor-quality feed, a large amount of legumes, with dirty keeping animals.

Signs of illness – frequent discharge of soft or liquid feces covered with mucus, bloating of the intestines or stomach, no bowel movements. Constipation is often followed by diarrhea. The general condition of the animal is depressed, decreases, and then the appetite disappears.When swollen, the rabbit often dies after 2-3 days.

Treatment. Rabbits are kept on a starvation diet for 12-20 hours, symptomatic treatment is carried out. Improves the conditions for keeping and feeding the animal.

Quite frequent diseases, especially with crowded keeping of rabbits, with malfunctions in cages, are bruises, wounds, fractures.

– With minor bruises, the painful swelling of the bruised area usually disappears after a few days.

– With severe bruises, when the integrity of the skin is violated, wounds are formed. Shallow wounds are smeared with iodine, while the animal usually recovers.

– In case of deep wounds, especially those penetrating into the chest or abdominal cavity, rabbits most often die, and therefore it is advisable to kill such rabbits immediately. Treatment is carried out if the rabbit is very valuable.

– Fractures may occur if the rabbit’s foot enters the gap or when it is severely hit.Despite the fact that a rabbit with a fracture can live a long time, there is no point in treating it economically.

– If the spine is injured, treatment is useless, the rabbit is slaughtered.

If the animals are not properly kept, namely, inappropriate flooring, lack or inadequate hygiene on the paws, the rabbit may show signs of pododermatitis – which is characterized by the appearance of ulcers and swelling on the limbs, lethargy and immobility.It is possible to prevent the appearance of the disease if you observe the necessary hygiene in the cage, normalize the humidity in the room, cover the metal mesh on the cage floor with a soft non-toxic material. Treatment is symptomatic.

In conditions of unsatisfactory keeping of animals in severe frosts, rabbits may experience signs of birth , ears are most often affected.

When swelling appears, the frostbite areas are rubbed and smeared with any internal melted fat.The rabbit is transferred to a warm place.

Non-infectious diseases include sun and heat strokes, which arise from exposure to direct sunlight on hot days and from overheating of the body when kept in stuffy, unventilated rooms, especially with high humidity. The rabbit breathes frequently, the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, eyelids are reddened, it stretches on its stomach or on its side and lies motionless. If, at the first signs of the disease, the causes of the occurrence are not eliminated, very often it ends with the death of the animal.In the event of convulsive twitching of the limbs, treatment is useless, the rabbit is killed.

Keeping rabbits in rooms with drafts, in the rain leads to colds . Symptoms are – the discharge from the nasal cavity of a clear or cloudy liquid, the rabbit sneezes. When a cold occurs, measures are taken to eliminate the causes of the pathology, symptomatic treatment.

The meat of rabbits who have recovered from non-communicable diseases is used without restriction.

3. DISEASES OF INFECTIOUS ORIGIN.

Any rabbit breeder needs to know everything about rabbit diseases and their treatment, because infection with a dangerous disease can occur completely unexpectedly, regardless of how favorable conditions you have created for your pets.

For example, such a dangerous disease as MYXOMATOSIS rabbits. This is an acute disease that can affect an animal of any age and any breed and ends in death in most cases.

The causative agent of the disease is a DNA-containing virus. Viruses of this class cause such dangerous diseases in humans as herpes and smallpox. Virus carriers can be blood-sucking insects and parasites, carnivorous birds, rodents, as well as rabbits that have been ill. Since the disease progresses very quickly (from two to twenty days), especially in summer and autumn, you need to closely monitor whether your pets have suspicious symptoms.

It takes two forms.With a nodular form, tumors of the size of a pea or slightly larger appear on the body of an animal; with an edematous form, tumors merge into a continuous edema. The surest symptom of this rabbit disease is that the eyelids swell, become inflamed, and discharge from the eyes appears. Tumors — myxotes appear most often on the head (nose, bridge of the nose, mouth, eyelids, ears), paws, genitals and in the anus. The temperature rises to 41 degrees, but it can remain normal, the coat begins to fall out strongly, the appetite disappears, the rabbit is in a sluggish state.The ears droop, after which the rabbit may develop a coma. After 5-10 days, the animal dies.

In case of illness, the veterinarian must be notified immediately. All sick animals are immediately slaughtered and burned along with the skin. Recovered animals remain virus carriers, they infect healthy animals, so they also need to be destroyed. Places of keeping and slaughtering rabbits are disinfected. Rabbit manure is buried to a depth of at least 1 m, the clothes of the breeder must be boiled for at least an hour.

The surviving rabbits acquire active immunity, but for the specific prevention of myxomatosis, a dry live culture vaccine from the B-82 strain or an associated freeze-dried vaccine against myxomatosis and HBV is used.

VIRAL HEMORRHAGIC DISEASE OF RABBITS (VGBK “HEMORRHAGIC PNEUMONIA” RABBITS, “NECROTIC HEPATITIS”) 100%).

Sick and recovered rabbits, as well as humans, are the source of the disease in IHD. The main routes of infection during illness are alimentary and respiratory. As a transmission factor, feed, manure, litter, water, soil, fluff and skins from sick animals can be infected with the secretions of rabbit IHD patients.

The causative agent is a virus that retains its virulence when frozen for 5 years, is resistant to ether and chloroform.Under natural conditions, adult rabbits and young animals older than 3 months are most susceptible to the virus, regardless of breed and gender. For humans and other animals, the disease is not dangerous.

The incubation period of the disease is 2-3 days. With a lightning-fast and hyperacute course of the disease, the breeder does not see any symptoms, he comes to feed the rabbits, and finds their corpses. Usually, apparently healthy rabbits make several convulsive movements of their limbs and die.In the acute course of the disease in sick rabbits, depression, lack of appetite, nervous phenomena – convulsive movements of the limbs, throw back their head, squeaks, groans are heard. Before death, some sick rabbits may have nasal discharge (yellow or bloody). The liver, lungs, kidneys, spleen, heart, and gastrointestinal tract are affected.

Diagnosis of VGBK is made in a complex, taking into account epizootological data, clinical signs and pathomorphological data in laboratory research.

When a diagnosis of viral hemorrhagic disease of rabbits is established, restrictive measures are imposed on the settlement, during which it is necessary to be guided by the “Instructions for the prevention and elimination of viral hemorrhagic disease of rabbits (VGBD)”, approved by the deputy. Head of the Main Directorate of Veterinary Medicine of the USSR Gosagroprom January 14, 1988 2714.01.88. No. 432-3.

Under the conditions of restrictions in the unfavorable clause, it is prohibited:

import and export of rabbits, products of their slaughter, skins, down, inventory and feed; regrouping of rabbits; organization of exhibitions and other events related to the gathering of rabbits; exchange of rabbits among their owners; trade in rabbits, their slaughter products, skins and down; preparation and feeding of grass and hay to rabbits from places where sick rabbits could be or there were their corpses; feeding to rabbits without disinfecting plant waste from markets, as well as from the population, canteens, cafes, etc.d.

In a disadvantaged location, the following is carried out:

accurate household records of the entire rabbit population; careful clinical examination to identify sick rabbits; all sick and suspicious rabbits are killed by the bloodless method and burned with subsequent disposal in the Bekkari pit; carry out emergency immunization of the remaining conditionally healthy livestock; in the absence of a vaccine, in order to prevent the spread of the disease, the slaughter of all rabbits in a disadvantaged area is organized.Sick and young rabbits under 2 months of age are killed by the bloodless method and, together with the skins, are disposed of in the Bekkari pit. Adult healthy rabbits are killed for meat directly in a dysfunctional facility (farm) in compliance with veterinary and sanitary rules. The carcasses of rabbits slaughtered for meat are boiled and sold in a dysfunctional location without restrictions. Heads, paws, internal organs, blood and other products of slaughter, after their treatment with disinfectants, are disposed of by burning or burying them to a depth of 1.5 – 2 m; rabbit skins from (farms) are disinfected during their technological processing at a processing plant; in dysfunctional and threatened rabbit farms (farms), in the courtyards of citizens – owners of rabbits, in organizations for the procurement and storage, enterprises for the processing of fur raw materials, disinfection, pest control, and deratization are carried out.

The farm is declared safe 15 days after the last case of the disease or the destruction (slaughter) of sick animals (rabbits) in it, vaccination and final veterinary and sanitary measures.

The importation of rabbits into a former unfavorable point and a threatened area is allowed after the restrictions are lifted, but not earlier than 15 days after their vaccination with inactivated tissue vaccine against HBV in supplying farms, which are required to make a corresponding entry in the veterinary document about this.

Vaccines are used to prevent HBV:

• inactivated tissue aluminum hydroxide formol vaccine;
• Three variants of tissue lyophilized vaccine: formol vaccine, theotropine vaccine and thermovaccine;
• associated freeze-dried vaccine against myxomatosis and HBV;
• associated inactivated vaccine against pasteurellosis and HBV.

Rabbits are vaccinated at any period of pregnancy!

The vaccine, administered to the rabbit at a dose of 0.5 ml intramuscularly, creates intense immunity in rabbits from 1.5 months already on the 3rd day after the vaccination and lasts at least 12 months.

Baby rabbits obtained from vaccinated rabbits have passive immunity to HBV for up to two months.

For passive immunization of rabbits, serum against HBV is injected, which provides a prophylactic effect for 30 days.

RINIT – An infectious disease of rabbits of polymicrobial etiology, characterized by periodic sneezing and discharge of mucopurulent or purulent secretions from the nasal cavity. The causative agents of infectious rhinitis are many microorganisms – Pasteurella, Bordetella, Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa or a virus.

Susceptible rabbits of different age groups.

The source of infection are patients who excrete the pathogen when sneezing with droplets of nasal discharge. Infection occurs by aerogenic means, through the damaged and undamaged nasal mucosa. The predisposing factors in the onset of the disease are drafts, sharp fluctuations in temperature, gas pollution and dustiness in the air in rabbitries. Most often, the disease occurs in spring and autumn when rabbits are kept indoors, especially with insufficient ventilation.

Incubation period 3-5 days. The general condition of rabbits is satisfactory, little changed. The mucous membrane of the nasal cavity is reddened and swollen. Patients have periodic sneezing and discharge from the nostrils of mucous, mucopurulent or purulent discharge. This secret moisturizes and sticks together the hair under the nasal passages, which causes skin irritation. The rabbit rubs its nose with its front paws, from which they are moistened from the inside and the wool sticks together in pigtails with the formation of the so-called combs.Sometimes a purulent nasal discharge dries up around the nasal openings and clogs them up. At the same time, breathing becomes difficult, it becomes oral.

If the lungs are involved in the pathological process, the patient’s body temperature rises, breathing is rapid, difficult, they are depressed and inactive, wheezing is heard, emaciation occurs, and after 1-2 months the animals die.

Diagnosis is established on the basis of clinical and pathoanatomical data, as well as the results of bacteriological research (isolation of cultures of microorganisms from blood, heart, lungs with verification of pathogenic properties in rabbits or white mice)….

No specific therapy has been developed. Medicines must be used at the very beginning of the disease, before the manifestation of purulent rhinitis. Antibiotics, sulfanilamide drugs, and chlorosuriculate inhalation are used.

For the immunization of rabbits, a bivalent extract of formol vaccine against infectious rhinitis is used, which provides a significant reduction in the incidence of rabbits in dysfunctional farms.

Prevention of infectious rhinitis consists in strict observance of zoohygienic and veterinary and sanitary rules.The main importance is: elimination of predisposing factors; organization of full-fledged balanced feeding, especially for vitamins and minerals. In closed rooms, due attention is paid to the cleanliness of the air, drafts are not allowed.

When an infectious rhinitis is established on the farm, a general clinical examination of all rabbits is carried out, the sick are isolated and treated or killed for meat. It is allowed to return to the herd of recovered animals after 20 days of observation.

The carcasses of sick rabbits are used as food for people without restrictions, only the affected organs are rejected. After drying, the skins are also produced without restrictions.

EIMERIOSIS ( COCCIDIOSIS)

The most common parasitic disease of rabbits, which is characterized by damage to the intestines and liver. The mortality rate of young rabbits reaches 85-100%.

Animals with clinical forms of the disease, actively excreting oocysts into the external environment with feces, become the sources of the parasite; adult rabbits are often parasitic carriers.Also, a source of infection can be rooms, cells, food, water, care items, walking yards contaminated with oocysts. Often, eimeria oocysts can be brought into rabbitries with human shoes, as well as rats, mice, and birds. Of great importance in the spread of the disease is the crowded floor keeping of young animals with easy access to litter and feces of congeners. Zoohygienic factors such as dampness in rabbitries and sharp temperature fluctuations, improper recruitment of groups of animals, the inclusion of rabbits of different ages and development in them, poor quality feed and a sharp change in feed, as well as other factors that reduce the body’s resistance.Most often, outbreaks of the disease most often occur in spring and autumn, and under unfavorable conditions for feeding and keeping rabbits – at any time of the year.

The incubation period is relatively short and is 4-12 days. The disease is often subdivided into intestinal, hepatic, and mixed forms. Most often, coccidiosis occurs in a mixed form.

After the incubation period, the rabbits develop lethargy, they lose their usual mobility, and lie more. Appetite is reduced or completely absent.The abdomen is swollen and painful, the outer mucous membranes are pale. Diarrhea appears, the bowel movements are thin, with mucus and often bloody. In young animals, the disease manifests itself as a growth retardation, animals generally cease to develop. They lose weight, their hairline becomes dull and tousled. Due to general intoxication, salivation may occur, a runny nose and conjunctivitis appear. With the development of inflammatory processes in the liver, the body weakens, rabbits become apathetic to the environment. In later stages, the abdomen enlarges; when palpated on the right side, the animals react painfully.Yellowness of the mucous membranes appears due to liver damage, paralysis of the limbs and cervical muscles, as well as convulsions; rabbits die on 7-10 days. Clinically, eimeriosis most often manifests itself in rabbits during the period of weaning from their mothers and switching to regular feed, when the stress is maximum. Often, coccidiosis is chronic, in such cases the symptoms are more blurred, but, nevertheless, the chances of death are the same.

For the treatment of coccidiosis, sulfa drugs are most effective, such as sulfadimethoxine, norsulfazole, phthalazole.Sulfadimethoxin or sulfamonomethoxin can be administered orally.

The effectiveness of treatment is increased when premixes containing coccidiostatics are included in the diet.

For the prevention of eimeriosis, the premises and cages are promptly cleaned of manure, rabbits do not eat feces, and also do not allow food and water contaminated with feces to eat. Rabbits should be kept in cages with a mesh floor, and the droppings should be removed from the pallets at least 2 times a day. Feeders and drinkers must be kept clean at all times.

Cages and rabbit care equipment are burned with blowtorch fire and treated with hot steam. It is necessary to carry out a gradual transition from dry feed to succulent in the spring-summer period within 10 days. When a new batch of rabbits arrives, they must be quarantined for 30 days; conduct a scatological study.

If sick animals are found, isolate and treat; the rest are treated with eimeriostatic drugs. Manure is disinfected biothermally.

INFECTIOUS STOMATITIS (WET Muzzle).

A viral disease that most often affects young individuals (up to 3 months). A wet face or infectious stomatitis in rabbits is caused by a filter virus. But its spread is associated, most often, with poor sanitary conditions of detention, rare cleaning of houses, drinkers and feeders. It is very important to notice the sick rodent in time and isolate it from the rest of the rabbits.

The disease is characterized by reddening of the mucous membrane of the tongue, lips, nasal cavity, then white plaque appears in these places, later ulcers and severe salivation. Hair moistened with flowing saliva on the lower jaw sticks together, from the constant action of saliva, the skin turns red and inflamed, hair falls out in this place. Rabbits often die. If treatment is started immediately after the detection of the disease, rabbits recover in 2-3 days. For treatment, the rabbit’s mouth is smeared 1-2 times a day with a 2% aqueous solution of copper sulfate.The treatment regimen includes: antibiotics, sulfa drugs, emollient ointments.

Preventive measures are, first of all, the isolation of sick individuals from healthy ones. In this case, the planted rodents must be constantly examined. An important condition is the creation of excellent zoo-hygienic living conditions. Rabbit food must be sound, nutritious and easily digestible. The cells in which the diseased animals lived are disinfected.

Especially careful rabbit breeders should be in the spring and autumn – the best time for the spread of viruses.

PASSALUROSIS

Chronic helminthic disease of rabbits, which is caused by a nematode that parasitizes the large intestine.

Passalurus (rabbit pinworms) are small nematodes.

The source of the invasion is a sick animal. Rabbits are most susceptible at the age of 3-7 months. The invasion of animals by passalurus occurs throughout the year by the alimentary route. The rapid spread of the invasion is facilitated by the short maturation of the eggs of the parasite, the high intensity of damage to animals, the possibility of re-infection and self-infection of rabbits, and their group keeping.

With severe infection in rabbits, pallor of the mucous membranes, a slight increase in temperature, emaciation, diarrhea, itching in the anus and external genital organs are observed. The skin in these places is dirty, swollen, scratches, ulcers and bruises are visible on it, the hair is sticky. Rabbits lag behind in growth, they molt slowly, and the quality of their skins decreases.

Diagnosis for rabbit passalurosis is made in laboratory caprological research by helminthic ovoscopy.Posthumous diagnosis is made by detecting parasites in the large intestine.

Mebenvet, Panacur, Rintal, timbendazole tablets, etc. give a good therapeutic effect.

Preventive measures. The animals are provided with quality food. Every day, the cages are cleaned of manure and feed residues, the feeders and drinkers are poured with boiling water. In dysfunctional farms, chemoprophylaxis with antiparasitic drugs is organized.

PSOROPTOSIS (EAR SCABIES)

A disease caused by ticks and characterized by damage to the inner surface of the auricle, less often other parts of the body with the formation of crusts.

Adult rabbits are susceptible to psoroptosis, which become infected by contact with sick animals, through dandruff and scales falling out of the auricles along with mites. Also, with direct contact, through care items, inventory, bedding, when transplanted into cages where sick animals were.

Possible infection of young animals from their mothers, in whom the disease may be asymptomatic. The factors contributing to the spread of the disease include crowded content, inadequate feeding, high humidity in the premises, the presence of helminthiasis and other infectious diseases.The disease is recorded in winter and early spring. Stationarity is expressed.

The incubation period of the disease is 1-5 days. Rabbits become restless, rub their ears, touch them to the cage, shake their heads. With a mild form of psoroptosis, the inflammatory process is focal in nature and develops like a weeping eczema: first, red bumps appear, then bubbles, which burst after 1-2 days, a light yellow liquid flows out of them, it dries up, and crusts form. In the external auditory canal, the sulfur content increases in the form of brownish-yellow lumps.With a strong lesion, the foci merge, the pathological process extends to most of the surface of the auricle and the external auditory canal. As a result of an extensive inflammatory process, a large amount of epidermis and ichor accumulates in the auricles; there is a release of serous, then purulent exudate. A large number of crusts are formed, which can completely close the ear canal.

The disease can be complicated by a secondary (secondary) microflora, as a result of which the inflammatory process passes to the membranes of the brain: animals show signs of damage to the central nervous system.

In some animals, an asymptomatic form of psoroptosis is noted, which is characterized only by mild periodic itching.

The diagnosis is made on the basis of epizootological data, clinical signs and laboratory tests.

For treatment, use Phenotizian, or TAP-85, or Nikrochloran, or Bentocid, or Hexalin.

In order to prevent it, it is necessary to strictly observe the veterinary, sanitary and zoohygienic rules of keeping: at least twice a year, disinfect all cells and equipment.Newly introduced rabbits are quarantined for 30 days, during this period they are thoroughly examined for scabies; a clinical examination of the entire livestock is carried out once every two months, and rabbits must be examined two weeks before the birth.

HEMADIPSOSIS (LICE)

A disease that occurs chronically in rabbits and is characterized by dermatitis, anemia, and developmental delay.

The causative agent is a louse, an oval insect measuring 1.2-1.7 mm, a piercing-sucking mouth apparatus.

The development cycle of lice on a rabbit’s body lasts 25-30 days.

The disease is characteristic mainly of adult rabbits, and from them the re-infection of suckling rabbits occurs. Lice are brought into the farm if the rules for quarantining animals re-imported from other farms are violated. Infection occurs through direct contact with lice-infected animals, as well as through care items, bedding, etc. One of the decisive factors in the spread of the disease is group housing, crowding, unsanitary condition of rabbit farms, frequent movements of rabbits from one department to another, inadequate feeding.

The causative agent of the disease is localized on the outer surface of the pelvic extremities, and in case of severe damage also on the back, lateral surfaces of the trunk and other parts of the body. During feeding, lice secrete saliva, which causes various allergic reactions in rabbits, general intoxication of the body and, at the same time, prevents blood clotting. As a result, rabbits experience anxiety, swelling of the bite area, severe itching, then a nodule forms in this place. As a result of combing itchy areas with paws and teeth, the skin becomes inflamed, crusts form, and hair falls out in these places.With a strong degree of infection, the development of anemia is noted.

The diagnosis is made on the basis of epizootological data, clinical signs and the detection of lice, which are located at the roots of the hair, as well as their eggs.

As a treatment for rabbits, Butox-10, Insectal insecticidal powder, BIO KILL spray, Frontline spray, etc. are used.

In order to prevent newly imported rabbits, they are quarantined and thoroughly examined. If affected animals are identified, they are isolated and treated with a separate content, until they are completely free from parasites, and then transferred to common rabbitries.In dysfunctional farms, all rabbits are treated with insecticides, while the cages and premises are cleaned. Disinsection of equipment is carried out by scalding with boiling water or burning with a blowtorch fire.

90,000 Caution TRICHINELLOSIS!

Trichinosis is an acute infection caused by roundworms. A variety of allergic reactions and severe muscle pain are characteristic symptoms.Edematous syndrome and fever are often observed. Diagnosis of trichinosis includes serological techniques and detection of the pathogen in biopsies of affected muscle tissue. Etiotropic methods of treatment involve the use of anthelmintic drugs, symptomatic therapy should be aimed at stopping allergic reactions and edema, detoxification, correction of protein and electrolyte disorders

General

Trichinosis has been known since ancient times, but the causative agent itself was first described in 1835 by English student Paget and pathologist Owen.The mechanism of infection was first described in 1846 by the American biologist Leidy. Helminthiasis is ubiquitous except in Australia, especially in pig-breeding areas. Risk groups include veterinarians, pig breeders, hunters, slaughterhouse and meat processing plant workers, cooks, middle-aged men and women. The seasonality of the disease is year-round; there is an increase in the number of cases in the winter-autumn period, which may correlate with the slaughter of livestock and hunting.

Causes of trichinosis

The causative agent of the disease is the Trichinella roundworm, the most common species are T.spiralis, T. nativa, T. nelson, T. pseudospiralis. The life cycle of a parasite does not imply the presence of a human body, therefore people for Trichinella are a biological dead end. Pigs, wild boars, rats, moose, seals, bears, beluga whales and other animals (more than 100 species have been described) are the source of infection. A feature of the development of helminths is the use of a single host as both intermediate and permanent.

The route of infection is alimentary, associated with eating raw, poorly cooked or fried, smoked and salted meat, lard.Circulation in nature is provided by the predator-prey relationship, scavengers, eating infected meat by rodents is common among households, pigs, in turn, can eat the corpses of rats. Sexually mature individuals of Trichinella live in the intestines, the larvae are encapsulated in the muscles, being transported there through the bloodstream.

Pathogenesis

When the larvae of Trichinella, which are in the infected meat, enter the human intestine, they are released from the shell and ripen to the size of adults.There is a dependence of the survival rate of the caught larvae on their age and the characteristics of the intestinal microflora. Helminths are viviparous, so the larvae, which hatch up to several thousand per day, can almost immediately penetrate through the intestinal wall into the mesenteric lymph nodes, then into the systemic circulation and spread throughout the body.

The striated muscles (except for the heart) are a favorite site, which may be associated with their abundant blood supply.Inside the muscle, the larva is covered with a capsule after 4-8 weeks and within six months after exposure begins to calcify, becoming completely calcified after 5-7 years from the moment of infection and retaining viability for a decade. The most common places of congestion are the legs of the diaphragm and the tongue. In other organs, the larvae die.

Trichinosis symptoms

The incubation period averages 10-15 days, it can decrease to five and increase to 60 days.The disease begins acutely against the background of complete health with chills, insomnia, body aches, weakness, hallucinations, an increase in body temperature to 39 ° C or more, or subfebrile condition (no higher than 38 ° C), which lasts more than one month. Patients may have signs of digestive tract disorders: loose stools, vomiting, nausea. In the first week of the disease, there are swelling of the face and eyelids, conjunctivitis; in severe cases, the swelling goes down. On the skin of patients with trichinosis, rashes are often found in the form of itchy spots and bumps, less often hemorrhages become visible.

Commensurate with the fever, muscle pains increase, starting from the lower extremities and reaching the intercostal, chewing, oculomotor and other muscles. In addition to myalgia, progressive myasthenia gravis occurs, which is regarded as a life-threatening condition, since if the respiratory muscles are damaged, it can cause the impossibility of spontaneous breathing. Patients often cannot find a comfortable position, movement is limited by bed, food and water intake is almost impossible without assistance.With the defeat of the respiratory tract, there is a cough with sputum, sometimes hemoptysis.

Complications

The main complications of trichinosis, usually occurring within 3-5 weeks of the disease, are myocarditis, pneumonia and abdominal syndrome, less often meningoencephalitis. Lesions are associated with the pathological effect of Trichinella and their metabolic products on the walls of blood vessels, which leads to nonspecific vasculitis, the formation of widespread granulomatosis in the brain and spinal cord.The consequence of these processes can be acute heart and respiratory failure, paralysis, paresis, thrombohemorrhagic syndrome, infectious-toxic shock and increasing encephalopathy.

Diagnostics

Trichinosis is diagnosed during consultation with an infectious disease specialist. In some cases, an examination by a therapist, dermatologist and other specialists is indicated. The most common diagnostic methods for confirming trichinosis are the following instrumental and laboratory tests:

Physical examination.On objective examination, attention is drawn to swelling of the face, paraorbital tissue, hyperemia of the conjunctiva, maculopapular rash on the body. Patients with difficulty make voluntary movements, sometimes muscle contractures are formed. In the lungs, dry diffuse wheezing can be heard on auscultation. Half of the patients have hepatomegaly.

Laboratory research. One of the leading signs of trichinosis is leukocytosis and eosinophilia (20-60%) in a general blood test with maximum values ​​at 2-4 weeks of illness.Biochemical parameters are distinguished by an increase in the activity of ALT and AST, hypergammaglobulinemia, a decrease in total protein and electrolytes, hypoalbuminemia. Charcot-Leiden crystals can be found in sputum.

Identification of infectious agents. Serological diagnostics (ELISA) becomes informative from the 3rd week of illness; studies in paired sera are required with an interval of 10-14 days. The diagnostic titer is considered to be 1: 100 or more. In rare cases, no earlier than 9-10 days of the disease, microscopy of muscle tissue biopsies is performed, in which pathogens are detected.

Instrumental techniques. Ultrasound examination of joints, soft tissues and abdominal organs is recommended for the purpose of differential diagnosis. Conducting an ECG, ECHO-CS for patients with trichinosis is necessary to exclude myocarditis. Chest x-ray is prescribed according to indications, in case of lung damage, “volatile” infiltrates can be determined.

Differential diagnosis of trichinosis is carried out with leptospirosis, which is characterized mainly by icteric forms and bleeding.The pathology is also differentiated from hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, the typical symptoms of which are dysuric phenomena against the background of hemorrhages; ascariasis, in the clinic of which a combination of lesions of the gastrointestinal tract and the respiratory tract is often found; visceral toxocariasis, occurring with lymphadenopathy; Quincke’s edema and edema in renal failure.

Trichinosis treatment

Patients with moderate and severe forms of the disease require inpatient treatment.With an increase in signs of respiratory failure, manifestation of myocarditis, patients are in the intensive care unit. Bed rest is recommended up to 3-4 days of absence of elevated body temperature with arrested pain syndrome. The diet of patients with trichinosis does not have specific restrictions; it is recommended to adhere to a sparing diet with a sufficient amount of protein. The water regime is subject to correction associated with edema syndrome, the exclusion of alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee, tea is required.

Etiotropic drugs (albendazole, mebendazole, thiabendazole) must be included in the trichinosis therapy regimen. Symptomatic treatment is aimed at stopping the edematous (furosemide, dichlothiazide) and allergic (indomethacin, desloratadine) components of the disease, detoxification (chlorosalt, glucose-saline solutions), desensitization (chloride, calcium gluconate). According to indications, hormonal agents (prednisolone, dexamethasone) are used, hypoproteinemia is corrected (albumin, fresh frozen plasma).The possibility of using rituximab as an alternative to glucocorticosteroids is being investigated.

Forecast and prevention

The prognosis for mild and moderate course is favorable. Recovery occurs in 5-6 weeks, the average mortality does not exceed 5%. In severe forms, prolonged convalescence is possible (within 6 months) with residual asthenization, myalgia, and persistent muscle contractures. The use of glucocorticosteroids disrupts the formation of the capsule in the larvae, therefore, with their long intake, a prolonged course and relapses of the disease are possible.

A vaccine against trichinosis has not yet been developed. Prevention consists in strict sanitary and veterinary control of meat products from pork and other types of meat, trichinelloscopy at meat processing plants and abattoirs. Thorough temperature processing of meat is required, and it is necessary to avoid eating raw meat of wild animals and pigs. You can not feed the predators with refuse from slaughterhouses, bury the carcasses of animals after skinning.

What is a creeping eruption?

A creeping rash is a skin infection.It is caused by hookworm larvae, whose eggs are usually found in the feces of animals such as dogs and cats. The condition is also commonly known as sandworms and pruritus or by the scientific term cutaneous larva migrans. It is characterized by a red, fibrous rash that spreads over the skin.

The rash develops when hookworm larvae burrow under the upper layers of the epidermis. As they spread across the skin, clusters of frizzy red marks appear. Larvae are not able to penetrate into the lower layers of human skin, although they can also in animals.

Creeping eruption outbreaks are most common in warm environments. The larva blooms on sandy, damp ground. This is usually not a serious medical condition, but it can be fatal if left untreated, especially with more sensitive people like children. This can often be the case in areas with limited medical resources.

A creeping rash is usually very itchy and even painful. This discomfort can only be stopped by killing the parasites. Most patients are advised not to scratch the rash, as this can cause infection and greatly increase the pain.Depending on the severity of the outbreak, in some cases the infection goes away without treatment.

If this does not eventually go away, a creeping eruption outbreak can be treated with several methods. Thiabendazole tablets are usually prescribed to kill parasites. To avoid the nausea associated with pills, they can be crushed and then added to petroleum jelly so that they can be applied topically. Other oral medications such as ivermectin and albendazolecan can also be effective.Over-the-counter itchy creams can help manage symptoms.

The doctor may also try to cure the disease externally by freezing the surface of the skin. The use of liquid nitrogen or ethyl chloride is the most common method. This more direct method can be unpredictable, and its success depends on the severity of the condition and how a particular group of larvae responds to freezing.