The dog's worm is a type of parasite that can enter the human body through small wounds on the skin, causing skin irritation at the parasite's entrance site. Infection with the dog's worm results in Larva Migrans Syndrome, whose symptoms vary according to the parasite causing it:
- Cutaneous larva migrans, which is caused by Ancylostoma braziliense and Ancylostoma caninum, popularly called the geographic bug, which is characterized by the presence of path-shaped wounds resulting from the movement of the larva; Visceral larva migrans, which is caused by the parasite of the genus Toxocara sp ., Which after entering the body reaches the bloodstream and reaches several organs, mainly the liver and lungs; Larva migrans ocular, which is also caused by Toxocara sp ., And which after entering the body goes to the eyeball, resulting in symptoms related to vision.
The dog's worms are present in its intestine, its eggs are released in the feces and in the environment the larvae are released, which can penetrate the skin and cause infection. The treatment is made with the use of antiparasitic remedies, mainly Albendazole and Mebendazole, which can be in the form of a pill or ointment and aim to eliminate the parasite.
Main symptoms
The main symptom related to infection by the worms of dogs is the presence of swelling, redness and pain, in some cases, in the place where the parasite entered the body, being more frequent in the foot or legs. Symptoms may vary depending on where the parasite is located and the type of reaction it causes. However, the main symptoms of infection are:
- Sensation of something moving under the skin; Red sore, shaped like a path, which increases approximately 1 cm per day; Intense itching of the skin, which worsens at night; Fever; Abdominal pain; Swelling of the skin around the wound; Hypereosinophilia, which corresponds to the increase in the amount of eosinophils in the blood; Persistent cough; Increase in the liver and spleen, which happens when the parasite reaches these organs.
In some cases the parasite can reach the eyeball, causing difficulty in seeing, redness, pain and itching in the eye, the appearance of white spots in the pupil, photophobia and blurred vision, for example. Here's how to recognize dog worm symptoms in the eye.
These symptoms are more common on the skin of the foot or legs, as the worm normally enters the body due to contact with the contaminated soil.
How the treatment is done
Treatment for dog worms infection should be guided by a doctor, it is important to continue treatment even if there are no more symptoms. Usually treatment is done with the use of antiparasitic drugs, such as Albendazole, Tiabendazole or Mebendazole for 5 days. Find out more about how dog worm treatment is done.
When the infection results in ocular symptoms, the doctor usually indicates the use of eye drops with corticosteroids to treat the symptoms and prevent the progression of the disease, since the effectiveness of treatment with antiparasitic drugs is not yet proven in these situations.
How to avoid catching the dog's worm
The best way to avoid catching the dog's worm is not to walk barefoot in places that may be contaminated with animal feces, such as beaches, gardens, parks or on the street, for example.
In addition, whoever has a domestic animal should always collect the poop when taking the animal on the street, for example, as well as regular deworming.
