In the world there are about 150 species of gadfly larvae.Fortunately, only one of them is dangerous for humans. Its habitat is the territory of the planet Earth with a tropical climate. In general, this parasite is very dangerous if it enters the human body. Therefore, you should be careful, and when the first signs appear, immediately and immediately contact a specialist.
What is a gadfly larva?
It is a parasite that basically develops andgrows under the skin of a person or animal. Gadfly larva resembles a pear with spikes on scales. Their length is short - a little less than 30 mm, and the diameter is about 8 mm. The parasite feeds on blood. That is why it is dangerous in case of penetration into the human body. This harmful microorganism attaches to mammals with burrs. And in this way it feeds, that is, it accumulates useful substances for its further existence, life activity. In addition, it can, after penetration into the body of a mammal, release a kind of liquid that causes severe pain.
What types of gadfly exist?
Types of this parasite a huge amount.Experts agreed to divide them by habitat. Each species of larvae has its own characteristics. Some of them are dangerous for the owner and for his body. There are 4 types of parasites: subcutaneous and dermal, abdominal and stomach.
The first type is dangerous for both humans and animals. With late treatment may have dire consequences.
The second type is characteristic of a bovine gadfly.He, of course, is not dangerous, as the first kind, but still, if this happened, furuncles form on the body of a person or an animal. In addition, there are severe pain. After pus may be released.
Cavity species is most common in goats. The larvae are located first in the nostril, and then penetrate into the respiratory tract.
Gastric gadflies most often in horses. It develops in their stomach, and then goes to the tongue and gums. There are pustules.
How can a parasite get into a human body?
The adult gadfly larva is a fly. Its size is about 2 cm. It is somewhat similar to a bumblebee.
- big head;
- large eyes;
- blue belly;
- orange paws;
- transparent wings.
The grown parasite does not eat anything, but feeds on the substances that it has accumulated when it was still a larva.
Within half a minute after the release, the adult gadfly can fly. A female produces about 600 eggs. But, fortunately, only 1/6 survives.
Adult parasite catches blood-sucking insects, andthen leaves their eggs on their belly. And if the mosquito on which these larvae sit on a person or an animal, then they penetrate into their bodies. People do not feel any pain or discomfort.
Parasites that have matured have specialfixtures - hooks. With their help, they are attached to the skin. Gadfly larvae in humans feed throughout their stay in blood and grow up to 2.5 cm. In total, this parasite lives in the body of a mammal for about 9 weeks. Then he goes outside and falls to the ground, where the pupation process takes place. A month later, an adult appears.
Does this parasite exist in Russia and can they be infected?
On the territory of our country there are about 7 species.larvae. Mostly they live in the body of cattle. There are cases when gadfly larvae were found in a human body in Russia. Their favorite place to stay is their eyes or skin.
Of course, the percentage of cases finding thisThe parasite in humans is very low, but you should beware of these harmful creatures. You should be aware of and know the signs of the disease when they enter the human body.
Symptoms when the parasite is under the skin: what are they?
A gadfly larva in a person can be anywhere.For example, it can be found on the arm, on the chest, on the leg, and even on the head. But the most favorite places of their habitat are armpits and back. It also happens that the gadfly larva in the body is in the nose or the eye.
As a rule, at first there are no complications andunpleasant sensations a person does not feel. In the place where the parasite penetrated, a small bump appears, resembling a mosquito bite. After passing a certain amount of time, this area begins to hurt and become inflamed. After it becomes blue or red. Then an abscess forms, which is opened. Thus, for the gadfly larva, a hole is formed under the skin of a person through which the parasite breathes. As soon as the inflamed area is opened, pus starts to stand out from it.
After that, a person’s state begins abruptly.to deteriorate. Nausea or vomiting, weakness and dizziness, pain in the muscles are the main symptoms of a gadfly larva penetrating the body. On the site where there is inflammation, the patient may feel something moving.
If these harmful parasites hit the eyesthere is irritation of the mucous membrane, and eye pressure rises. There is a constant tearing. In addition, pain and bleeding can join all these symptoms.
Very dangerous is the penetration of the larvae into the vitreous body of the eyeball. Then a person can lose sight altogether.
When the parasite is in the body, the following symptoms are present:
- headache;
- deterioration of smell;
- swelling of the nose;
- pain in the location of the larvae.
Surprisingly, these harmful microorganisms can crawl out through the nostril.
How is the diagnosis made?
The main method is considered to be a blood test.It is determined by the number of antibodies. The patient is also asked a series of questions. For example, they ask whether it was in places where the disease is common. In addition to all this, the specialist conducts a visual inspection. With this method, you can detect an inflamed purulent abscess. It has a hole through which air flows. The doctor examines the site with a special device, namely a magnifying glass.
If you are sure that there are gadfly larvae in your body, then you should turn not to the therapist, but to the infectious disease specialist immediately.
How does the treatment occur when the larvae are infected?
After penetration into the human body of theseparasites appear certain signs of a disease called dermatobiosis. The treatment itself involves the direct removal of the larvae from the body of the patient. But immediately this can not be done.
Before removing the gadfly from under the skin of a person, you need to drink the drug "Ivermectin". It is antiparasitic. Only then can we proceed to the next step.
Gadfly larvae removal: how does this happen?
Before removing the parasite from under the skinhuman, you need to place the abscess decontamination. This is done, as a rule, using furatsilina solution. In order for the larva to not be able to breathe, a certain amount of sterile oil drips from the hole from where the air flow penetrated. After that, the gadfly should come out, as it lacks oxygen. At that moment, when the parasite is shown from the hole under the skin, it is pulled out with the help of a special device (tweezers).
Complicated operation should perform onlyspecialist. The gadfly itself is located in very deep layers of the epidermis. As mentioned above, it is located there thanks to the hooks. If the patient himself tries to perform the whole procedure, then it is possible that part of the larva will remain under the skin. With this outcome of events, suppuration and an inflammatory process will follow.
As soon as the operation is completed, an antiseptic dressing is applied to the place where the boil was before.
Infection prevention
Но чаще всего под кожу человека личинка овода penetrates precisely in countries with tropical climates. And if you decide to go there, then follow a few simple rules. Avoid places where a large number of insects live. Of course, you need to wear clothes that protect against bites. Now in stores a huge selection of good repellents. They should also be used.
If, for example, an insect bit you,you should not panic ahead of time, but you should not forget about it either. First, the wound should be treated with a disinfectant. And watch her. If something went wrong, you should immediately contact a specialist. The doctor will examine you, if you confirm the diagnosis, he will send you to the appropriate procedures, and if you do the opposite, you can safely return home. And do not forget that vigilance has not prevented anyone.
