How to Identify Parasites on Humans

Everyone experiences the occasional bug bite. With a dab or two of anti-itch cream, the bite is gone. But if you are dousing yourself daily with anti-itch cream, you might be the victim of a parasitic invasion. These tiny nuisances reproduce quickly, so if you are living with one parasite, you are probably living with a whole army. Perhaps the best example of rapid parasite reproduction is the female flea, which, according to a publication from the Entomology and Nematology Department at the University of Florida, can lay one egg per hour for her entire lifespan.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pen
• Telephone

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Instructions

• 1

  Check your body for itchy, swollen welts. Using a pen and paper, write down the specific locations of the bites.

• 2

  Check your body daily for new welts. If you notice that the welts are in different spots or that the number is increasing, your home could be infested.

• 3

  Thoroughly check your body and clothing for the presence of small insects. Many parasites are large enough to be seen with the naked eye, but some burrow under the skin. Look for tiny dark insects or pink rashes caused by burrowing parasites.

• 4

  Be mindful of the sensation of something crawling under your skin. This could be a burrowing parasite.

• 5

  Call your health-care provider immediately and make an appointment. He can assist you in identifying the type of parasite biting you. He can offer advice about how to treat the bites, as well as provide recommendations for killing parasites living on your person or in your home.