This tropical disease is caused by a parasitic worm measuring approximately 1 meter in length. It is prevalent in Africa, South America, the Middle East, and India.
Infection occurs when individuals drink water that contains the water flea CYCLOPS, which hosts the larvae of the parasitic worm. Upon ingestion, the larvae pass through the intestine and mature in the body tissues. After approximately a year, the pregnant adult female worm emerges to the skin surface, creating an inflamed blister that eventually bursts, exposing the end of the worm. During the blister formation, symptoms such as urticaria (nettle rash), nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea often manifest.
The conventional treatment for this disease involves manually winding the worm from the skin onto a small stick. Additionally, drugs like tiabendazole and niridazole are administered to reduce inflammation, while antibiotics are prescribed to control secondary infections. Moreover, the patient receives a tetanus immunization as part of the treatment.