Ectoparasitic infestation
Ectoparasitic Infestation
Ectoparasitic infestation (pronunciation: ek-toh-par-uh-sit-ik in-fes-tey-shuhn) refers to the colonization of the body surface by parasitic organisms, known as ectoparasites, that live on or within the skin for at least part of their life cycle.
Etymology
The term "ectoparasitic" is derived from the Greek words "ektos" meaning "outside", and "parasitos" meaning "parasite". "Infestation" comes from the Latin "infestare" which means to attack or disturb.
Types of Ectoparasites
Ectoparasites include a variety of organisms such as lice, fleas, ticks, and mites. These organisms can cause a range of diseases in their hosts, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and scabies.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Symptoms of ectoparasitic infestation can vary depending on the type of parasite involved but often include itching, rashes, and skin lesions. Diagnosis typically involves visual inspection of the skin and may also include microscopic examination of skin scrapings or samples.
Treatment
Treatment for ectoparasitic infestations typically involves the use of topical or oral medications to kill the parasites. In some cases, environmental control measures may also be necessary to prevent re-infestation.
Prevention
Prevention of ectoparasitic infestations can be achieved through a variety of measures including regular bathing and grooming, use of insect repellent, and avoidance of areas known to be infested with ectoparasites.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ectoparasitic infestation
- Wikipedia's article - Ectoparasitic infestation
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski