How to Treat Elephantiasis

There is no cure for elephantiasis. It is not a common disease in most countries, but in some tropical and subtropical countries it is a fairly common and horribly disfiguring disease. It's caused by infection-carrying mosquitoes, usually in childhood and takes 9 to 12 years for victims to fully manifest the symptoms. It's generally treated with palliative care.

Instructions

• 1

  Pinpoint the areas infected with this parasitic disease. The first step in treatment involves reducing the number of disease-carrying mosquitoes. This is done in part by supplying specific antibiotics to rid the patient's body of the microfiliare in the bloodstream so mosquitoes cannot carry the infection from person to person. Screens, long-sleeves and insect repellents are also very helpful.

• 2

  Rid the patient's system of the Wolbachia bacteria which reside in the worms invading the lymphatic system, causing the worms to die. This is accomplished by using doxycycline, which is usually effective according to studies in which the infected person takes an eight-week regiment of this treatment. It usually rids the system of the parasites for approximately one year.

• 3

  Gently massage affected limb(s) to assist in fluid drainage. Some researchers claim this stimulates the parasite into action, but along with elastic wraps applied by trained professionals this treatment seems to ease the symptoms. Elevating the limb has also been shown to lessen the severity of elephantiasis symptoms.

• 4

  Wash the affected area thoroughly and keep it clean. A regiment of meticulous hygiene is necessary to lessen the chance of a secondary bacterial infection. Antibiotics are also used to protect the patient from bacterial complications. In severe cases removal of excessive skin growth and soft tissue is necessary, although it may cause the condition to worsen later on.

• 5

  Insert nodal-venous shunts to aid in lymphatic drainage. Although this will not permanently relieve the symptoms it's effective in providing long-term relief. Some doctors attempt surgical removal of affected lymph nodes, especially in the scrotum, when the testicles and **** are removed, but the rate of recurrence shows this course to rarely be helpful.

• 6

  Prescribe chemoprophylaxis to the entire infected area every three months for twelve days. This eliminates a large percentage of microfiliarae from the bloodstream and decreases the spread of elephantiasis. If the patient has developed tumors as a result of the disease, chemotherapy or radiotherapy is shown to cause regression in the tumors.

• 7

  Keep up with the research being done to find a cure or considerable relief for elephantiasis patients. There are new drugs in trial stages which may be used effectively in smaller dosages. The realization of the severity and prevalence of the disease have come to the attention of the World Health Organization and the research community in general, causing a more intensive study of the disease.