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Worm Infestations That Are Carried by Insects

Many people get cured with calamine lotion or aloe vera for insect bites, but some people get more than an itch. Insects such as flies, fleas and mosquitoes can transport microscopic worms, and the bites on your skin are an open door for many medical maladies. Pets are at risk, too.

  1. Loiasis or African Eye Worm

    • Loiasis is commonly known as the African Eye Worm. This microscopic Loa Loa worm lives under the skin and is difficult to detect, unless it travels into the eyeball. The common name refers to this phenomenon. It's spread through the bite of the mangrove fly, also referred to as the deerfly or mango fly. The fly is found in the rain forests of west and central Africa. Symptoms include itchy, swollen patches on the skin.

    Lymphatic Filariasis

    • Spread through mosquito bites and common in tropical areas around the world, Lymphatic Filariasis is caused by thread-like worms that spend their adult lives in the lymphatic system of humans. The lymphatic system regulates fluids in the body, and the presence of the worms results in lymphedema. Lymphedema is massive swelling of the limbs or regions of the body caused by the buildup of fluids. Filariasis is one of the leading causes of permanent disability worldwide, affecting more than 120 million people.

    Onchocerciasis or River Blindness

    • Onchocerciasis, commonly known as River Blindness, is caused by a parasitic worm that's transmitted through the bites of blackflies. The name is derived from the habitat of the flies, commonly found near swift streams and rivers, and from the blindness that's symptomatic of a severe infestation. Skin rashes and nodules underneath the skin are other symptoms of infestation. Ninety-nine percent of those afflicted with River Blindness live in Africa. The disease must be spread through multiple bites of the blackfly, so those living alongside rivers and streams in Africa are most at risk.

    Worms in Pets

    • Dogs and cats are also frequent victims of parasitic worm infestations. Common worm infestations such as heartworm and roundworm aren't caused by insects. Tapeworms, however, are spread when a dog or cat ingests infected fleas or flea larvae. Tapeworms are long, flat worms that live in the animal's intestinal tract. The tapeworm steals nutrients from the ingested food in the animal's digestive system. Generally considered harmless, tapeworms can lead to diarrhea and vomiting in some animals.

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