Skin parasitic infections are diseases and conditions caused by or related to an external organism, and can include infestation by mites and insects. They can also lead to inflammatory skin diseases by provoking an innate or acquired immune reaction to them, eg acne, perioral dermatitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis. Epidermal parasitic skin diseases (EPSD) are a heterogeneous category of infectious diseases in which parasite–host interactions are confined to the upper layer of the skin. The six major EPSD are scabies, pediculosis (capitis, corporis and pubis), tungiasis and hookworm-related cutaneous larva migrans.
The distribution of epidermal parasitic diseases is irregular, and incidence and prevalence vary in relation to area and population.
Scabies – is a highly contagious infestation of humans caused by ectoparasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei. It is a global disease, but more often in poorly resourced communities and may be connected with immunodeficiency. It occurs in the cases of close physical contact with infected person or infected clothing or bedding. Infection typically presents with a classical itchy rash. Lesions are symmetrical, and mainly affect the hands, wrists, axillae, thighs, buttocks, waist, soles of the feet, areola and vulva in females and penis and scrotum in males. The neck and above are usually spared, except in cases of crusted scabies and in infections occurring in infants, the elderly, and the immunocompromised.
Lice – are the ectoparasites that live on the human body, their life is dependent on human blood. There are three types of lice that infest humans:
- Pediculus humanus var. capitis – head lice
- Pediculus humanus var. corporis – body lice
- Phthirus pubis – pubic lice.
You can become infected with lice in any place where there is a large crowd of people, this is especially true for children, they are the main risk group. Lice can be transmitted through any contact with a sick person, as well as through clothing, bedding, and household items. Symptoms of lice:
- Severe itching on the skin where the lice have bitten
- Traces of scratching and irritation on the skin
- Lice eggs (nits) on hair
- Small grayish-bluish spots on the skin
Demodicosis – is a condition caused by tiny mite that live in the hair follicles. In humans, demodex is found on facial skin, especially the forehead, cheeks, sides of the nose, eyelashes and external ear canals. Most adults are infested with Demodex mites without clinical symptoms. Demodex mite will only become a pathogenic organism when there is an abnormal increase in the number of Demodex mite density. This situation happens when the equilibrium between Demodex mites, skin microenvironment and human immunity system changes. Since there is demodicosis of the eyelids (eye form) and a skin disease, there will be different types of symptoms for these two forms.
Symptoms of demodicosis on the skin are manifested by the following:
- nodules and pustules
- feeling of itching that causes severe discomfort. It manifests itself most strongly at night and in the evening
- increased skin oiliness. It is the greasy environment that best promotes the proliferation of ticks
- red areas of the skin, which indicate increased pressure in the blood vessels. It is associated with inflammation of the skin
- growth of the wings of the nose. In advanced cases, they increase in size as the functioning tissue is replaced by connective tissue
The following symptoms are typical for the ocular form of the disease:
- eye fatigue. It is caused by inflammation and the fact that the patient is forced to constantly focus his vision and strain
- eyelash loss. This is explained by the fact that the mite attacks the hair follicles sticking of eyelashes. -The formation of a thin film along the eyelash growth line due to inflammation – is precisely the reason for this undesirable effect
- redness and inflammation of the eyelids. In many cases, this greatly complicates the patient’s life and reduces the level of comfort.
Diagnosis and treatment
A dermatologist diagnoses the disease by examining the patient, checking the condition of the skin and nails, studying the diseased foci. In many cases, additional laboratory research or certain types of diagnostics are required, because the doctor can determine the disease only after a complex examination.
English 
Georgian