Cutanous Larva Migrans......

[Jambarney]

I am so sorry to hear of you and your husbands terrible misfortune. I am hoping that he and you are well on the way to both physical and mental well recovery and well being.

Yes I have went thru this but my experience was nothing at all like yours, in fact the severity and description of your husbands ordeal differ quite a bit from mine.

I was diagnosed with Cutanous Larvae Migranis, unfortunately it can be picked up any where there is animal feces, especially when the animals have most likely not had any worm treatment.

My case was around 06, some soars on my right foot, upper part only and I believe one or two toes [top only]. Yes I could feel them moving around, but very little soarness or pain, but intense and I mean very intense itching, some minor burning. My local Dr. referred me to the Kansas City Infectious Disease Center kind of unsure of my condition, once I was seen by the specialist, he immediately made the diagnosis and even asked to photograph it for learning and intern purposes. I was prescribed Stromechtol which is code for Ivermectin and the Dr. prescribed 9 pills. After calling all over KC I found a CVS [back then Osco] that had 5 pills. My Dr. said go ahead that should do it. I remember within 20 to 30 minutes after taking the first pill that the parasite activity in my foot went crazy, almost as if they were trying to flee. By the next day the round red soars started to turn purple and black with a few lines also the same color. The itching and movement feeling went away immediately. The soars and lines turned black and literally peeled off, similar to flaking sun burnt skin. I missed 2 days of work and had no after effects at all. Co-workers would get a kick out of me taking my sock off and showing them.

I did get it on the beach but to be honest I have walked the same beach dozens of times since then and have not contracted it again. If you walk or mistakenly step around dog or cat feces in an area where the animals have not been wormed then that's your risk or vulnerability. I do now keep a more vigilant eye out but to be honest I still go bare footed on the beach with no hesitation.

Aware yes, scared no way. I am not to sure that loss of limb or life is common at all from this.

Hope this helps.

Jamb

[caribbeanprlgrl]

I am so sorry to hear of you and your husbands terrible misfortune. I am hoping that he and you are well on the way to both physical and mental well recovery and well being.

Yes I have went thru this but my experience was nothing at all like yours, in fact the severity and description of your husbands ordeal differ quite a bit from mine.

I was diagnosed with Cutanous Larvae Migranis, unfortunately it can be picked up any where there is animal feces, especially when the animals have most likely not had any worm treatment.

My case was around 06, some soars on my right foot, upper part only and I believe one or two toes [top only]. Yes I could feel them moving around, but very little soarness or pain, but intense and I mean very intense itching, some minor burning. My local Dr. referred me to the Kansas City Infectious Disease Center kind of unsure of my condition, once I was seen by the specialist, he immediately made the diagnosis and even asked to photograph it for learning and intern purposes. I was prescribed Stromechtol which is code for Ivermectin and the Dr. prescribed 9 pills. After calling all over KC I found a CVS [back then Osco] that had 5 pills. My Dr. said go ahead that should do it. I remember within 20 to 30 minutes after taking the first pill that the parasite activity in my foot went crazy, almost as if they were trying to flee. By the next day the round red soars started to turn purple and black with a few lines also the same color. The itching and movement feeling went away immediately. The soars and lines turned black and literally peeled off, similar to flaking sun burnt skin. I missed 2 days of work and had no after effects at all. Co-workers would get a kick out of me taking my sock off and showing them.

I did get it on the beach but to be honest I have walked the same beach dozens of times since then and have not contracted it again. If you walk or mistakenly step around dog or cat feces in an area where the animals have not been wormed then that's your risk or vulnerability. I do now keep a more vigilant eye out but to be honest I still go bare footed on the beach with no hesitation.

Aware yes, scared no way. I am not to sure that loss of limb or life is common at all from this.

Hope this helps.

Jamb

Even though your case wasn't as severe as my husband's, it is still horrible that you contracted it. We were fortunate in the fact that our Drs here are familiar with it, in fact hubby's Dr practiced in several South Sea islands so he was very acquainted with it.

If a person has been infected to extent my husband's feet were, it is because of the amount of infection from, as the Dr said, " the by-products" of the hookworm, including it's scales coming off it's body. Then, if you cannot get the meds needed, as we couldn't, it leaves you with the risk of losing limbs, etc. Also, if a person ingested hookworm and it was not diagnosed immediately, within days you can be near death if not caught, and yes that will result in death.

On satellite channels there is a program called "The Monsters Inside Me". There has been real life occurences told where this has happened. This is especially true with children, which as we know, always seem to have the habit of putting hands in their mouth. Also in my extensive research I have read of losing limbs and death occurring. There is also another problem that occurrs, and apparently this occurs often, and that is of becoming anemic.

I would not wish this hookworm problem on anybody....it truly was a nightmare.