More Parasites You Wish Didn't Exist

Acanthamoeba

Do you wear contact lenses? All lens wearers are familiar with their opticians' instructions to always rinse and store their contacts in lens fluid. Different types of contact lens solutions all come with their own pros and cons, but they have one thing in common: they're supposed to keep your lenses clean and free from pathogens that can damage your eyes. Despite very clear instructions to use only professional products, most lens wearers have used water at some point. I know I have — when you're out and about and have something in your eye, lens fluid just isn't always available. 

Whenever this has happened to me, I have used bottled mineral water rather than tap water when at all possible. Tap water stings! You are probably aware of the fact that it can cause an inflammation too. But have you heard of acanthamoeba? Since I know about this creepy amoeba, I make very sure I always carry lens solution with me!

Acanthamoeba is frequently present in tap water. Get it in your eye, and you'll notice inflammation, blurred vision, sensitivity, redness, and the feeling something is in your eye — because something is in your eye! Though acanthamoeba keratitis can be treated, some people end up needing a cornea transplant, going blind, and even using their eyeball. 

Myiasis 

People who are around farm animals, especially sheep, will be familiar with myiasis. Myiasis is a condition in which fly larvae — yes, that's maggots! — live subcutaneously, feeding on the tissue around them. Many different flies cause myiasis. Some lay eggs near an open wound, while others just deposit eggs on intact skin in moist areas of the body. Once the eggs hatch, the maggots burrow their own way into the skin. Some flies have different tactics and wait for eggs to be ingested with food or may attach their eggs to mosquitoes, which will then deliver them to the victim.

Myiasis is a huge problem for sheep farmers worldwide, but it can also affect humans in tropical and subtropical regions. Regardless of the mode of infestation, a bump will be the first sign of trouble. People who don't live in warm areas are highly unlikely to suspect maggots are crawling under their skin. Since the maggots often burrow into the skin on the foot, victims will probably assume they stepped in something and are now dealing with an infection. Until, that is, they feel things moving under the skin and eventually see the maggots themselves.

See Also: Parasites In Cat Poop, Public Health Menace?

Maggots crawling in your skin may be your worst nightmare. You may still be relieved to hear that they usually stay under the skin, rather than migrating all over the body. People who have suspicious bumps after traveling to tropical or subtropical areas should definitely seek medical attention. Myiasis is removed surgically, a procedure that's followed up by meticulous after care.