#ARE HOOKWORMS IN HUMANS DEADLY SKIN#

#ARE HOOKWORMS IN HUMANS DEADLY SKIN#

If the bacteria enter an open cut and colonize, they can cause skin and bone infections, flu- and pneumonia-like symptoms and even toxic shock syndrome. Walking barefoot can mean increased risk for cuts, which can then serve as a pathway into your body for Staphylococcus (staph) bacteria in water or sand. As with hookworms, if you do pick this up, the infection is typically treated within one to three days with drugs prescribed by your doctor. The best way to prevent ingesting the parasite is by washing your hands with soap and water - and teaching your children to do the same - before touching any food at the beach. вЂњAt beaches where pets are allowed,вЂќ she adds, вЂњthe sand may be contaminated with dog feces that contain Toxocara canis, a parasite roundworm.вЂќ вЂњChildren may acquire the parasite from their hands, and poor hygiene facilitates the spread of infection.вЂќ She notes that most patients are asymptomatic, but during the late phase of infection (six to eight weeks after egg ingestion), nonspecific symptoms, such as abdominal discomfort, anorexia, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, may appear. вЂњTransmission occurs primarily via ingestion of water or food contaminated with Ascaris eggs,вЂќ Taroyan says. Sand or water may also be contaminated with ascariasis, or roundworms. A doctor will typically prescribe medication for one to three days. However, if you do become infected, the condition is easily treated. If you visit a beach that may be contaminated with fecal matter, or is known to harbor hookworms, donвЂ™t walk barefoot in the sand.

ThereвЂ™s an easy way to avoid picking up this infection. вЂњOnce the larvae migrate to the small intestine, you may experience gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and increased flatulence.вЂќ вЂњApproximately eight to 21 days after an infection, the larvae will penetrate your lungs, ascend to your throat and then youвЂ™ll swallow them,вЂќ Taroyan says. Once mature, the larvae can enter your skin when you walk barefoot on infected sand. If the sand is contaminated with fecal matter, it may harbor these larvae. Less common, but still potent, are hookworm (Necator americanus) larvae. In that case, be sure to replace the fluids youвЂ™ve lost. If you get gastroenteritis, you may become dehydrated from vomiting or diarrhea. вЂњYou can prevent gastroenteritis and other illnesses originating from contaminants in the sand by washing your hands when you leave the beach,вЂќ says Rose Taroyan, MD, MPH, a family medicine physician at Keck Medicine of USC and an assistant professor of clinical family medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Gastroenteritis causes run-of-the-mill stomach problems, such as nausea, stomachache, vomiting and diarrhea, and can be caused by a virus, bacteria or parasite.

That means seemingly innocent activities, like being buried in the sand or digging into it with your hands, might put you at risk. The germs causing gastroenteritis, the most common illness people get at the beach, may lurk in the sand. HereвЂ™s what might be there and how you can stay healthy. TheyвЂ™re also found on the sand.ДЄlthough most people who go to the beach are perfectly fine afterward, you should know what to look out for, especially if you have young children, are elderly or have a weakened immune system. These bacteria, viruses and microorganisms can get into the water through runoff after rainfall, untreated sewage and even from other beachgoers. The beach is a popular summer playground for humans, but pathogens like to hang out there, too, and can infect you, if youвЂ™re unaware of them.

You know to watch out for stingrays and sharks, but do you know about the bacteria and viruses you might encounter? USC Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute.Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute.Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC.AlzheimerвЂ™s Therapeutic Research Institute.

Are hookworms in humans deadly