As the skin is constantly exposed to the environment, it represents a common portal of entry for different parasites. Infestations with parasites can cause systemic diseases in humans, but often result in cutaneous lesions which are on the rise in dermatology clinical practice due to the increase of travel and immigration.
Despite the considerable burden parasitic skin infestations can cause, their significance has often been neglected by the health-care providers and scientific community alike. Furthermore, the debilitating impact a persistent itch can have must be taken into account when assessing these conditions.
Protozoan and helminth infestations
Protozoan infestations characterized by a transient skin phase following infestation …show more content…
The non-human schistosome species can also cause similar type of dermatitis known as pelican itch or swimmer’s itch.
Ectoparasites
Scabies is a cosmopolitan cutaneous infestation caused by the human scabies mite (Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis) and acquired by personal direct skin contact. The scabies mite lays eggs in a previously burrowed tunnel of up to 4 millimeters into the superficial layer of the epidermis.
Papules (with or without excoriation) and S-shaped burrows are the classical lesions of scabies, which together with intense pruritus support the diagnosis of this condition. Moreover, individuals of all age groups that suffer from chronic crusted scabies may present with eczema, impetiginized plaques and hyperkeratosis masking the typical clinical sings of scabies.
Three species of lice are known to infest humans – the head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis), the body louse (Pediculus humanus corporis) and the pubic louse (Pthirius pubis). All of them feed on the blood of the host, which causes inflammation, itching and skin
Despite the considerable burden parasitic skin infestations can cause, their significance has often been neglected by the health-care providers and scientific community alike. Furthermore, the debilitating impact a persistent itch can have must be taken into account when assessing these conditions.
Protozoan and helminth infestations
Protozoan infestations characterized by a transient skin phase following infestation …show more content…
The non-human schistosome species can also cause similar type of dermatitis known as pelican itch or swimmer’s itch.
Ectoparasites
Scabies is a cosmopolitan cutaneous infestation caused by the human scabies mite (Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis) and acquired by personal direct skin contact. The scabies mite lays eggs in a previously burrowed tunnel of up to 4 millimeters into the superficial layer of the epidermis.
Papules (with or without excoriation) and S-shaped burrows are the classical lesions of scabies, which together with intense pruritus support the diagnosis of this condition. Moreover, individuals of all age groups that suffer from chronic crusted scabies may present with eczema, impetiginized plaques and hyperkeratosis masking the typical clinical sings of scabies.
Three species of lice are known to infest humans – the head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis), the body louse (Pediculus humanus corporis) and the pubic louse (Pthirius pubis). All of them feed on the blood of the host, which causes inflammation, itching and skin