Content
The geographic bug is a parasite frequently found in domestic animals, mainly dogs and cats, and is responsible for causing Cutaneous Larva migrans Syndrome, since the parasite can penetrate the skin through wounds or cuts and lead to the appearance of symptoms. like itching and redness.
There are two main species of geographic animal, the Ancylostoma brasiliense it's the Ancylostoma caninum, whose eggs can be released in the feces of dogs and cats, which hatch in the soil and release the larvae, which can easily enter people's skin. In most cases, the larvae are eliminated naturally from the body about 4 to 8 weeks after infection, but it is important to treat them according to the doctor's recommendation to avoid skin complications and alleviate the symptoms of the disease.
Geographic animal life cycle
Cats and dogs are considered definitive hosts of the geographic animal and are infected when they come in contact with larvae present in the environment.Ancylostoma brasiliense orAncylostoma caninum. These larvae, in the intestine, develop until adulthood and release eggs, which are eliminated in the animals' feces.
In the environment, the egg hatches and releases larvae that develop until their infective phase and that enters the human organism through wounds on the skin or through the hair follicle, and remains on the skin, leading to the appearance of signs and symptoms of infection. .
Main symptoms
Symptoms of a geographic bug are related to the parasite entering the skin and releasing secretion by the larva, which triggers an allergic reaction, and there may be:
- Itchy skin, which usually gets worse at night;
- Sensation of movement under the skin;
- Redness in the skin similar to a tortuous path, which is where the larva passes;
- Swelling of the skin.
In the active form of the disease, it is common to observe that the lesion advances about 1 cm per day on the skin, and as soon as it is identified, treatment should begin. Know how to recognize the symptoms of a geographic bug.
How to treat
Most of the time, the infection disappears after a few weeks after the death of the larvae, however, to decrease the duration of the symptoms, treatment with antiparasitic agents can be initiated, which should be indicated by the general practitioner or dermatologist. Thus, the use of Tiabendazole, Albendazole or Mebendazole may be indicated, which can be used in the form of ointment, when the disease is still early, or in the form of tablets, when the geographic bug is discovered later.
Generally the symptoms of the geographic bug are reduced about 2 to 3 days after the beginning of the treatment, it is important to follow the treatment until the end to ensure that the larva is completely eliminated from the body. Understand how treatment is done for geographic animals.
How to prevent
To prevent infection, it is recommended to avoid walking barefoot in environments with dogs and cats, and it is important to collect animal feces so that there is no risk of soil contamination. Furthermore, it is important that animals are regularly dewormed, thus preventing the transmission of diseases to other people.