What is the difference between elephantiasis and Podoconiosis?

Podoconiosis is a type of lower limb tropical elephantiasis distinct from lymphatic filariasis. Lymphatic filariasis affects all population at risk, whereas podoconiosis predominantly affects barefoot subsistence farmers in areas with red volcanic soil.

What is Podoconiosis disease?

Podoconiosis is a chronic inflammatory, geochemical skin disease caused by prolonged exposure to irritant red clay soils derived from volcanic rocks [2] and causes bilateral asymmetrical swelling of the lower legs. Podoconiosis is a neglected disease, although currently it does not appear on the WHO list of NTDs.

What does elephantiasis look like?

The main symptom of elephantiasis is gross enlargement and swelling of an area of the body because of the accumulation of fluid. The arms and legs are the areas most often affected. An entire arm or leg may swell to several times its normal size resembling the thick, round appearance of an elephant’s leg.

How can Podoconiosis be prevented?

Podoconiosis can be prevented, early forms of the disease can be treated, and disease progression can be controlled with simple but effective measures such as washing feet with soap and water on a regular basis and wearing protective shoes consistently [4].

What is the incubation period of Podoconiosis?

The incubation period is completely variable, and can be as short as 4 weeks or as long as 8-16 months. It goes from the entrance of the infective larva into the human host and the presentation of clinical symptoms or observable signs.

What are the symptoms of lymphangitis?

Symptoms

• Fever and chills.
• Enlarged and tender lymph nodes (glands) — usually in the elbow, armpit, or groin.
• General ill feeling (malaise)
• Headache.
• Loss of appetite.
• Muscle aches.
• Red streaks from the infected area to the armpit or groin (may be faint or obvious)
• Throbbing pain along the affected area.

What is mossy foot disease?

Mossy foot is a disease that manifests itself as a massive swelling of the feet and legs. Its common name describes the appearance of the skin that becomes very rough and bumpy and changes to look like moss.

Is elephantiasis painful?

Elephantiasis is painful disease that occurs when tiny parasite larvae are transferred to the body through mosquito bites. It is a major cause of disability in endemic areas. When someone is bitten by an infected mosquito, microscopic larvae are left on the skin and can enter the person’s body.

Is elephantiasis curable?

Lymphatic filariasis can be eliminated by stopping the spread of infection through preventive chemotherapy with safe medicine combinations repeated annually. More than 7.7 billion treatments have been delivered to stop the spread of infection since 2000.

What causes mossy foot?

Mossy foot disease (known technically as podoconiosis) is caused by walking barefoot in the local volcanic soil, and results in massive swelling of the feet and legs, with pain and bad odors. Individuals with the disease, like this man to the left, are shunned like lepers.

What is filariasis caused by?

Lymphatic filariasis is caused by infection with parasites classified as nematodes (roundworms) of the family Filariodidea. There are 3 types of these thread-like filarial worms: Wuchereria bancrofti, which is responsible for 90% of the cases. Brugia malayi, which causes most of the remainder of the cases.

What are the types of filariasis?

There are 3 types of these thread-like filarial worms:

• Wuchereria bancrofti, which is responsible for 90% of the cases.
• Brugia malayi, which causes most of the remainder of the cases.
• Brugia timori, which also causes the disease.