The footworm is a type of flea, the Tunga penetrans, which is able to penetrate the skin, especially when walking barefoot on the street, on vacant lots, on the beach, lawns or contaminated playgrounds, for example.
Footworm symptoms can arise as soon as the parasite penetrates the skin, with a mild local pain, redness and, in some cases, itching at the site where the parasite has entered. Although these signs are more common in the feet, the footworm can also penetrate the skin in other places, especially when lying on land or sand or has been in contact with some infected pet, for example.
Standing bug symptoms
Footworm symptoms can arise as soon as the parasite penetrates the skin, with a small reddish spot and mild local pain. Then, the symptoms may become more evident, being possible to observe:
- Appearance of a small wound on the skin with a black speck under the skin with 4 to 10 mm;
- Skin lighter around the black dot;
- Intense itching at the site of penetration;
- Pain at the wound site;
- Redness and swelling in the region that the parasite has entered;
- There may be clear or yellowish secretion.
It is common for symptoms to appear on the underside of the feet, around the nails or in the space between the toes, but the parasite may penetrate the hand or any other location on the body depending on how the contact with the ground occurs, which is the location in which this parasite can be found. Learn how to get the foot bug.
How to avoid infection
The flea that causes this problem on the skin is usually present in places with sand or hot dry land, so the best way to avoid infection is to avoid walking barefoot on the beach, in gardens or on the lawn. Also, when going to regions where there is this type of flea is advised to pass an insecticide on the skin to prevent them from jumping and sticking to the skin.
It is also important that pets, such as cats and dogs, be brought to the vet on a regular basis as they can be infected by the flea responsible for the foot bug more easily and thus transmit the disease to people.
If you have these symptoms, see how to get rid of the foot bug quickly.
