Diseases transmitted by contaminated soil are mainly caused by parasites, such as ankyllostomiasis, ascaridiosis and migrand larvae, for example, but they can also be linked to bacteria and fungi that can remain in the soil for a long time and cause diseases mainly in people with weakened immune systems.
Infections caused by contaminated soil are more common in children because they have thinner skin and weakened immunity, but this can also occur in people who use immunosuppressive medications, are malnourished or carry the virus. Hiv.
Some of the main diseases transmitted by contaminated soils are listed below:
The migrand skin larva, also known as a geographic bedbug, is caused by the parasite Ancylostoma braziliensis, which can be found in the soil and penetrate the skin through small wounds, causing a reddish injury at the entry site. As this parasite cannot reach the deeper layers of the skin, its movement over the days can be perceived on the surface of the skin.
What to do: The treatment of migran skin larvae is done with the use of antiparasitic remedies, such as Tiabendazole, Albendazole or Mébendazole, which should be used as recommended by the doctor. Normally, symptoms of skin larva migrans decrease approximately 3 days after the start of treatment, however, it is important to follow treatment to ensure complete elimination of the parasite. Learn how to identify and deal with geographic error.
Anchylostomiasis, also known as ankyllostomiasis or yellowing, is verminosis caused by the parasites Ancylostoma duodenal and Necator americanus, whose larvae can remain and grow in the soil until they penetrate through the skin of people who come into contact, even walking barefoot.
After passing through the host’s skin, the parasite reaches the blood or lymphaticstream until it reaches the lungs, and can rise into the mouth and then be swallowed with the secretions, then reach the small intestine where it becomes an adult worm.
The adult worm remains attached to the intestinal wall and feeds on the person’s food and blood, causing anemia and leaving the person pale and weak due to blood loss. Learn how to identify yellowing symptoms and understand their life cycle.
What to do: Initial treatment of anchylostomiasis aims to relieve symptoms, especially anemia, and iron supplements are generally recommended. Treatment is then performed to remove the parasite, indicating the use of Albendazole or Mebendazole as recommended by the doctor.
Ascariosis, commonly known as as ascaris, is an infectious disease caused by the parasite Ascaris lumbricoides, which causes intestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramping, evacuation difficulties and loss of appetite.
The most common form of ascaridiosis transmission is the consumption of contaminated food or water, but because it stays in the ground until it becomes infectious, it can affect children who play on the ground and remove dirty hands or toys contaminated with oral Ascaris. Eggs.
Lumbricod Ascaris eggs are resistant and can survive for many years on the ground. To avoid disease, it is always important to wash food properly, drink only filtered water and avoid carrying your hand or dirty objects directly to your mouth.
What to do: If you suspect ascaris lumbricoides infection, it is recommended to see your doctor for testing and treatment, which is done with Albendazole or Mebendazole.
Tetanus is a disease that can be transmitted through the soil and is caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, which enters the body through wounds, cuts or burns on the skin and releases toxins. The toxin of this bacterium causes widespread muscle tension, which can generate severe contractures and progressive muscle stiffness, which are life-threatening.
Clostridium tetani lives in the soil, dust or faeces of people or animals, in addition to oxidized metals, such as nails or metal fences, can also harbor this bacteria.
What to do: Vaccination is the only effective way to prevent disease; However, wound care can also help, such as a complete cleaning of the injury, by preventing the buildup of bacterial spores in damaged tissues.
The tungiasa is a parasite better known as chinche, also known as sand bedbug or pig, caused by pregnant females of a flea species, called Tunga penetrans, which usually inhabit soils that contain soil or sand.
It appears as one or more lesions, in the form of small, dark brown bumps that cause itching and, if inflamed, can cause pain and redness in the area. This infection usually affects people walking barefoot, so the main form of prevention is to prefer walking shoes, especially on sandy soils. Learn how to identify, prevent, and treat error.
What to do: Treatment is done with the elimination of the parasite in the health center with sterile material and, in some cases, deworming may be indicated such as Tiabendazole and ivermectin.
Sporotrichosis is a disease caused by the fungus Sporothrix schenckii, which inhabits nature and is present in places such as soil, plants, straw, thorns or wood. It is also known as “gardener’s disease” because it frequently affects these professionals, as well as farmers and other workers who come into contact with contaminated plants and soils.
In general, this infection only affects the skin and subcutaneous tissue, where small bumps form on the skin, which can develop and form ulcers. However, in some cases, the fungus may spread to other parts of the body, especially if immunity is compromised, reaching the bones, joints, lungs or nervous system.
What to do: In case of sporotrichosis, it is recommended to use antifungal drugs, such as itraconazole, for example, for 3 to 6 months according to your doctor’s recommendations. It is important that treatment is not discontinued without a recommendation, even if there are no more symptoms, because otherwise it can stimulate the mechanisms of resistance to fungi and therefore complicate the treatment of the disease.
Paracoccidiodomycosis is an infectious disease caused by inhalation of spores from the fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, which lives in soil and plantations, making it more common among rural farmers and moderators.
Paracoccidioidopicosis can affect different parts of the body and usually causes signs and symptoms such as fever, weight loss, weakness, skin and mucous lesions, shortness of breath, or enlarged lymph nodes throughout the body.
What to do: Treatment of paracoccidiodomydomycosis can be done at home with the use of antifungal tablets that should be used in accordance with the doctor’s instructions, and Itraconazole, Fluconazole or Voriconazole may be recommended, for example. In addition, it is recommended to avoid smoking and drinking alcohol during treatment.
To avoid soil-borne diseases, it is important not to walk barefoot, avoid consumption of potentially contaminated food and water, and invest in improving basic sanitary conditions.
In addition, it is important to be careful with hand washing, especially children, who can put a dirty hand in their mouths or eyes and thus promote the development of diseases. Therefore, it is important to wash your hands thoroughly before and after going to the bathroom and having been in contact with animals.