Causes of Schistosomiasis

Neglected tropical diseases are a group of 20 diseases found mostly in tropical regions that are strongly associated with poverty. Among them are skin diseases like scabies, leprosy and yaws. They are caused by some bacteria, viruses, mosquitoes or mites and, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), they affect more than one billion people worldwide, mainly in lower-income settings. These skin diseases are particularly common in most African countries. For example the estimated at-risk population on the continent requiring intervention for lymphatic filariasis (an abnormal enlargement of body parts, causing pain, severe disability) was 341 million in 2020. And 99 percent cases of onchoerciasis also known as river blindness occur on the continent. Children are usually more affected than adults, and risk factors include poverty, overcrowding, malnutrition, and humidity. Neglected tropical diseases of the skin are stigmatised, and may affect an individual's qualit

Swimmer's itch ( cercarial dermatitis) is a noncontagious rash caused by a parasite in water. It's common in people who swim or wade in fresh water, such as ponds or lakes. It's less common, but still possible, to catch it in ocean water. Snails, waterfowl, beavers, and other aquatic birds and animals can become infected with the cercaria parasite. Cercaria eggs are then passed into the water through feces (poop).   This article discusses the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment options for swimmer's itch. MoMo Productions / Getty Images Swimmer's Itch Symptoms The typical symptoms of swimmer's itch include: Tingling, itching, or burning skin Small discolored pimples Small blisters Skin Color Differences Your skin color can affect the appearance of a rash. Rashes that look pink or reddish on light skin may appear pink, purplish, darker, or lighter shades than the skin or simply l

Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes called meninges that protect and support the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis symptoms usually include a severe headache, a stiff neck, and a fever. Viral meningitis is the most common type and typically resolves independently without treatment. Bacterial meningitis, however, can be deadly without fast antibiotic treatment. Early diagnosis is essential to determine the correct course of treatment. Here are the meningitis facts you should know. Hailshadow / Getty Images Meningitis Overview Meningitis is an inflammation of the tissues called meninges that surround the brain and spinal cord. There are several types: Viral : The most common type, with mild cases usually clearing up in seven to 10 days without treatment, but antiviral treatments may be needed for strains caused by herpesviruses or influenza Bacterial : Can be deadly and requires immediate treatment Fungal: A rare type of me

Red or purple spots on your skin may be hives or acne. But they can also indicate a health condition, including an infection or autoimmune disease. Your skin's health and appearance shifts all the time depending on your environment, lifestyle, and health conditions, among other factors. Sometimes skin problems have an obvious cause, like sunburn or a mosquito bite. But other times rashes or dots appear on your skin that are harder to identify. Petechiae are red, purple, or brown dots on the skin that are generally painless and itch-free. These dots form when your tiniest blood vessels, called capillaries, break and leak blood under the skin. This blood pools under the surface, creating the appearance of spots. Petechiae aren't considered a medical condition on their own. They're often a symptom of another underlying health problem, such as infection, allergic reaction, or autoimmune disease. In this article, we will explore some common potential causes of petechiae, symptom

Itchy legs at night are often caused by dry skin, but they could be a sign of a more serious health condition. Image Credit: Johner Images/Johner Images Royalty-Free/GettyImages In This Article Itchy skin is an inconvenience no matter what time of day. That nagging feeling can make you restless, and itchy legs at night can make it feel impossible to go to sleep. Here, a dermatologist explains what itchy legs at night means and how to get relief. Video of the Day 1. You Have Dry Skin The reason behind your itchy legs at night could be as simple as having dry skin that needs to be moisturized. You may have dry skin on your legs if they are itchy, flaky, rough or scaly, per the Mayo Clinic. This is a common condition that affects all ages, but it can worsen as you get older. "Skin gets drier with aging, so typically adults — especially senior citizens — will notice more itch, including on the legs at night," says Ann

On an uneventful day I was sitting at my desk when I started scratching the skin on my wrist around my Garmin. Then I began scratching under my Garmin. I undid the watch band only to reveal a nasty red rash with peeling skin and little oozy bumps. Apologies if this image was not one you wanted to envision, but maybe you're a fellow watch rash sufferer like myself. I used to say running shoes are an extension of runners because they theoretically become a part of our body. One of the best compliments runners can give a pair is that we don't even notice we're wearing them while we run. Most of us don't wear our running shoes to bed, however, or shower with them on. In these instances, wearables—like a Garmin, Fitbit, or Apple Watch—are the closest examples of gear that become one with our bodies. Related Story My Garmin is my unpaid personal assistant, life coach, or even doctor (though I must stress that you keep up with annual exams with a, uh, human). Besides running

As a parent, it might feel like you are constantly giving your children worm treatments – usually in the form of chocolate or sweetened chewable tablets. In fact, most kids in Australia (or any other rich country) get very few worms compared to kids in places where poor hygiene practices make all sorts of worms common. But there is one species of worm so common and so tied to humanity, it can defeat even our most comprehensive hygiene standards. Young children are really good at transmitting infection with these tiny pests. And they can get really cranky in the process. Read more: What are parasites and how do they make us sick? An ancient species Pinworms are an ancient species and have been found in fossilised 230-million-year-old proto mammalian poo. The closest relatives of the pinworm humans get are found in our closest cousins, the apes. Our pinworms are thought to have evolved with us. The oldest pinworm eggs from a h

Certain strains of E. coli, a bacteria commonly associated with food poisoning, can lead to painful urinary infections. Scientists are pointing to a surprising cause of some urinary tract infections: E. coli bacteria in meat. A new study used statistical modeling to estimate that E. coli, commonly known as the bacteria behind many food-borne illnesses, may cause hundreds of thousands of U.T.I.s in the United States annually — likely a small fraction of overall U.T.I.s, but enough to intrigue, and in some cases concern, experts. The new study looked at chicken, turkey and pork in particular, as previous studies suggested that these foods can become contaminated with the type of E. coli that could induce a U.T.I. Over the last two decades, scientists have increasingly viewed food as a potential source of infection; the new study highlights just how pervasive these food-borne U.T.I.s may be. A U.T.I. occurs when bacteria enters the urethra and infects the urinary tract. Sometimes an infec

A fully vaccinated 4-month-old girl with normal development was referred to our dermatology clinic for an intensely itchy, diffuse papular rash that had been present for 3 months. Her family physician had initially diagnosed eczema and treated with betamethasone valearate 0.05% ointment, but later diagnosed impetigo and treated with topical and systemic antibiotics, which resulted in no improvement. She improved mildly after 2 courses of 5% permethrin and 0.1% (w/w) mometasone lotion for suspected scabies. When the patient visited our clinic, we saw widespread polymorphous eruptions consisting of erythematous papules, pustules and dermatitic plaques on her back, posterior neck, scalp and inguinal folds. Her palms had a pustular appearance, and her soles had erythematous, crusted, hyperkeratotic plaques (Figure 1). Dermoscopy showed central crusting and furrows, suggestive of crusted scabies. We performed a skin biopsy because of the patient's poor response to permethrin, which conf