Tungiasis: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Tungiasis | |||
| image = [[File:ChiggerBMNH.jpg|250px]] | |||
| caption = ''Tunga penetrans'' | |||
| field = [[Infectious disease]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Itching]], [[irritation]], [[pain]], [[inflammation]] | |||
| complications = [[Secondary infection]], [[ulceration]], [[gangrene]] | |||
| onset = Within hours to days after [[infection]] | |||
| duration = Weeks to months | |||
| causes = ''[[Tunga penetrans]]'' | |||
| risks = Walking barefoot, poor [[hygiene]], living in endemic areas | |||
| diagnosis = [[Clinical diagnosis]], [[dermatoscopy]] | |||
| differential = [[Scabies]], [[myiasis]], [[cutaneous larva migrans]] | |||
| prevention = Wearing [[shoes]], improving [[sanitation]] | |||
| treatment = [[Extraction]] of the flea, [[topical treatment]], [[antibiotics]] for secondary infections | |||
| frequency = Common in [[tropical]] and [[subtropical]] regions | |||
}} | |||
'''Tungiasis''' is a parasitic skin disease caused by the female sand flea, ''[[Tunga penetrans]]''. This disease is endemic in South America, the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, and India. It is often associated with poverty, inadequate sanitation, and overcrowded living conditions. | '''Tungiasis''' is a parasitic skin disease caused by the female sand flea, ''[[Tunga penetrans]]''. This disease is endemic in South America, the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, and India. It is often associated with poverty, inadequate sanitation, and overcrowded living conditions. | ||
==Etiology== | ==Etiology== | ||
The causative agent of tungiasis is the female sand flea, ''Tunga penetrans''. The flea is a small, wingless insect that lives in the soil and feeds on warm-blooded hosts. The female flea burrows into the skin of the host, where it lays its eggs. The eggs are then expelled from the body through the feces or urine. | The causative agent of tungiasis is the female sand flea, ''Tunga penetrans''. The flea is a small, wingless insect that lives in the soil and feeds on warm-blooded hosts. The female flea burrows into the skin of the host, where it lays its eggs. The eggs are then expelled from the body through the feces or urine. | ||
==Symptoms== | ==Symptoms== | ||
The primary symptom of tungiasis is intense itching and inflammation at the site of the flea bite. This is often accompanied by a black dot at the center of a swollen, red area. Other symptoms may include pain, swelling, and secondary bacterial infections. In severe cases, the disease can lead to complications such as gangrene, sepsis, and tetanus. | The primary symptom of tungiasis is intense itching and inflammation at the site of the flea bite. This is often accompanied by a black dot at the center of a swollen, red area. Other symptoms may include pain, swelling, and secondary bacterial infections. In severe cases, the disease can lead to complications such as gangrene, sepsis, and tetanus. | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
Tungiasis is typically diagnosed based on the characteristic clinical signs and symptoms. The diagnosis can be confirmed by identifying the flea in a skin biopsy or by visualizing the flea with a magnifying glass or microscope. | Tungiasis is typically diagnosed based on the characteristic clinical signs and symptoms. The diagnosis can be confirmed by identifying the flea in a skin biopsy or by visualizing the flea with a magnifying glass or microscope. | ||
==Treatment== | ==Treatment== | ||
Treatment for tungiasis involves removing the flea and treating the affected area with antiseptics. In some cases, antibiotics may be necessary to treat secondary bacterial infections. Prevention of tungiasis involves avoiding contact with soil in endemic areas and using insect repellent. | Treatment for tungiasis involves removing the flea and treating the affected area with antiseptics. In some cases, antibiotics may be necessary to treat secondary bacterial infections. Prevention of tungiasis involves avoiding contact with soil in endemic areas and using insect repellent. | ||
==Epidemiology== | ==Epidemiology== | ||
Tungiasis is most common in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in South America, the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, and India. The disease is closely associated with poverty, inadequate sanitation, and overcrowded living conditions. | Tungiasis is most common in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in South America, the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, and India. The disease is closely associated with poverty, inadequate sanitation, and overcrowded living conditions. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
* [[Parasitic skin diseases]] | * [[Parasitic skin diseases]] | ||
* [[Tropical diseases]] | * [[Tropical diseases]] | ||
* [[Neglected tropical diseases]] | * [[Neglected tropical diseases]] | ||
[[Category:Parasitic diseases]] | [[Category:Parasitic diseases]] | ||
[[Category:Tropical diseases]] | [[Category:Tropical diseases]] | ||
[[Category:Neglected diseases]] | [[Category:Neglected diseases]] | ||
[[Category:Skin diseases]] | [[Category:Skin diseases]] | ||
{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||
Latest revision as of 15:41, 8 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| Tungiasis | |
|---|---|
| |
| Synonyms | N/A |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Itching, irritation, pain, inflammation |
| Complications | Secondary infection, ulceration, gangrene |
| Onset | Within hours to days after infection |
| Duration | Weeks to months |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Tunga penetrans |
| Risks | Walking barefoot, poor hygiene, living in endemic areas |
| Diagnosis | Clinical diagnosis, dermatoscopy |
| Differential diagnosis | Scabies, myiasis, cutaneous larva migrans |
| Prevention | Wearing shoes, improving sanitation |
| Treatment | Extraction of the flea, topical treatment, antibiotics for secondary infections |
| Medication | N/A |
| Prognosis | N/A |
| Frequency | Common in tropical and subtropical regions |
| Deaths | N/A |
Tungiasis is a parasitic skin disease caused by the female sand flea, Tunga penetrans. This disease is endemic in South America, the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, and India. It is often associated with poverty, inadequate sanitation, and overcrowded living conditions.
Etiology[edit]
The causative agent of tungiasis is the female sand flea, Tunga penetrans. The flea is a small, wingless insect that lives in the soil and feeds on warm-blooded hosts. The female flea burrows into the skin of the host, where it lays its eggs. The eggs are then expelled from the body through the feces or urine.
Symptoms[edit]
The primary symptom of tungiasis is intense itching and inflammation at the site of the flea bite. This is often accompanied by a black dot at the center of a swollen, red area. Other symptoms may include pain, swelling, and secondary bacterial infections. In severe cases, the disease can lead to complications such as gangrene, sepsis, and tetanus.
Diagnosis[edit]
Tungiasis is typically diagnosed based on the characteristic clinical signs and symptoms. The diagnosis can be confirmed by identifying the flea in a skin biopsy or by visualizing the flea with a magnifying glass or microscope.
Treatment[edit]
Treatment for tungiasis involves removing the flea and treating the affected area with antiseptics. In some cases, antibiotics may be necessary to treat secondary bacterial infections. Prevention of tungiasis involves avoiding contact with soil in endemic areas and using insect repellent.
Epidemiology[edit]
Tungiasis is most common in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in South America, the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, and India. The disease is closely associated with poverty, inadequate sanitation, and overcrowded living conditions.
