Jinja, Uganda James Akena Perspective byJames Akena
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All this started when a friend who works with NGOs travelled to eastern Uganda. It was very shocking for him to see a human body consumed with flea parasites, only two hours from the capital. My friend showed me a picture of Yusuf Kagwa, a 45-year-old farmer.
The problem of the so-called jigger parasite - female sand fleas that burrow their way under skin - is widespread in eastern, northern and northeastern parts of Uganda.
It was shocking to see the pain, the blood, the cutting - especially because this is very simple to avoid.
A sterile needle can be used to remove the fleas from the skin when the infestation has recently occurred. Other more invasive procedures like surgery may be indicated at later stages, especially if there are other complications from the flea invasion.
The fleas may also be deterred by an insect repellent applied to the skin-although walking barefoot in dirt quickly removes the repellent. Locating the jiggers' hiding place and burning or spraying the said area with an insecticide would also help kill the jiggers.
If left untreated, jiggers can lead to deadly secondary infections or even amputation. People suffering with jiggers usually attempt to remove them with safety pins, thorns, or other sharp, and often unsanitary, objects.
jigger causing fleas. The process involves, cleaning the feet and other affected areas with clean water, dipping the affected areas in a medical solution for 15 minutes and then apply petroleum jelly. The extreme cases are taken to hospital by Ambulance Mashinani.
Apply bug spray containing DEET to repel chiggers, especially on socks, ankles and legs. On a hot day, a chigger can climb from your ankle to your waistband in 15 minutes.
Over the course of about three weeks, the flea will expel as many as 200 eggs into the environment and then die in situ, leaving a black crust covering a lesion containing the dead flea, which is eventually sloughed off from the epidermis.
Affected areas (usually hands and feet) were washed with soap, soaked in a hydrogen peroxide mixture for 15 minutes (this suffocates the jiggers and brings them to the surface without breaking the skin), and covered in a coat of petroleum jelly.
Near your home, chiggers could thrive in areas with overgrown grass, shrubs, weeds, or briars. Since they prefer hot, humid environments, they are typically more active in the spring and summer, depending on where you live.
They are now present in the Caribbean, Central and South America, sub-Saharan Africa, and India, but not in Europe or North America. Jigger larvae live a few centimetres under sand or soil, feeding on organic matter. They are often found inside dwellings with mud floors.
Chigger bites are itchy red bumps that can look like pimples, blisters, or small hives. They are usually found around the waist, ankles, or in warm skin folds. They get bigger and itchier over several days, and often appear in groups.
Tungiasis is commonly known as pulga de areia, niguá, pique, bicho do pé, bichodo porco or jatecuba, jigger, sand flea or chigoe. It causes immense pain and itching, difficulty walking, sleeping and concentrating on school or work. Tungiasis can be associated with abscesses caused by secondary bacterial infections.
The first phase, washing the affected area, is painful. The jiggers are then removed with safety pins or razor blades. There's no way of numbing the body.
However, in tropical areas of the world, chigger bites can occur year-round. Patients usually display pruritic papules, sometimes clustered around tightly fitting clothes. Itching usually lasts a few days but can sometimes extend as long as 2 weeks.
Chigger bites can be treated at home, but can take up to several weeks to completely heal. While it's hard to do, avoid itching, which can break your skin and lead to an infection. An ice pack or a cold compresses can help sooth itchy skin.
We advise rinsing under hot water between co*cktails and washing more thoroughly, preferably in a dishwasher or glasswasher from time to time. The red markings on the jigger will last longer if not rubbed when drying with a cloth.
Introduction: My name is Rueben Jacobs, I am a cooperative, beautiful, kind, comfortable, glamorous, open, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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