![]() Additionally, it is important to prevent water from splashing over the tops of the boots wet clothing traps the parasite next to the skin. It is important these individuals wear high boots or waders when walking in water where nutrias swim. Nutria itch is a common hazard for anyone who spends time in the marsh - researchers, hunters, fishermen and trappers. Over-the-counter medications may only help in the mildest cases and usually don't work well in any cases. Milder cases may be treated with topical medications. I treat the most severe cases with high doses of systemic steroids, which must be adjusted according to the response over five to 10 days. According to the individuals' response, treatment may vary and must be adjusted accordingly for optimal cure. In the meantime, the victim suffers severe inflammation and itching. The larvae eventually die, but the process can take up to several weeks. In humans, these roundworms are not able to reach the inner organs as they do in the nutria. The larvae easily penetrate outer clothing and rapidly tunnel through the skin, causing red, itching trails. The female lays eggs, which pass into the water via nutria feces and hatch into larvae in a few days. Only the female lives in the nutria as a parasite. It is called "nutria itch" because the worm normally lives in the small intestine of the nutria, which is common in Louisiana waters.īecause it has parasitic and free-living characteristics, this microscopic roundworm is considered one of the most interesting nematodes. It is caused by a microscopic roundworm that burrows into the skin called strongyloides myopotami. ![]() With hunting season upon us, it is a good time to talk about "nutria itch," which can be torture for those infected.
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