What is podoconiosis?
Podoconiosis is a form of elephantiasis arising in barefoot subsistence farmers who are in long-term contact with irritant red clay soil of volcanic origins.
What is the difference between elephantiasis and podoconiosis?
The pathogenesis of podoconiosis mainly involves damage to lower limb lymphatic vessels, and unlike filarial elephantiasis lymph nodes are relatively intact (Price, 1977). Clinically, podoconiosis differs from filarial elephantiasis in that groin involvement and unilateral limb swelling are rare (Desta et al., 2007).
How can podoconiosis be prevented?
Patients who believed that podoconiosis could be prevented mentioned the following methods of prevention: wearing shoes (82.1%), washing feet (19.1%), avoiding contact with an affected person (3.6%), and avoiding marriage to podoconiosis patients (1.3%).
What is the mode of transmission of podoconiosis?
Podoconiosis is a geochemical (non-filarial) elephantiasis thought to be caused by the absorption of ultrafine mineral particles from the soil through the skin of the feet [4], [5].
How is podoconiosis treated?
Treatment includes daily foot hygiene with soap, water, and antiseptics, emollients to restore skin function, leg elevation, exercise, use of socks and shoes, and, if necessary, compression bandages and surgical removal of nodules.
What is the treatment for podoconiosis?
At the early clinical stages, podoconiosis can be treated using simple and effective measures: regular washing of feet with soap and water, application of emollient on the skin, elevation of the leg at night, compression therapy with elastic bandages, and regular use of footwear [10].
What is mossy foot disease?
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 causes mossy foot?
Why is it called occult filariasis?
Occult filariasis denotes filarial infection in which microfilariae are not observed in the blood but may be found in other body fluids and/or tissues.
What is mossy foot and jiggers?
What is Moss foot?
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.
What is filariasis in biology?
Filariasis a parasitic disease transmitted by black flies and mosquitoes. These parasites are thin, round, worm-like organisms. They appear white or translucent when observed under a microscope. The life span of filariae would be around 5 to 7 years. During their lifespan, they produce millions of larvae.
Are jiggers in the US?
Conclusions: The jigger flea is indigenous to the West Indies/Caribbean region, but it has spread to Africa, India, Pakistan, and Latin America. Travelers to endemic areas may import cases to other countries, including the United States.
What is adventitious bursa?
Adventitious bursitis of the plantar fat pad is a common cause of forefoot pain. It may develop at sites where subcutaneous tissue is exposed to friction and high pressure. In the forefoot, adventitious bursitis is usually adjacent to bony prominences of the metatarsal heads.
How do jiggers look like?
The jigger is evident as a small swollen lesion, with a black dot at the centre, which can grow to the size of a pea. Severe pathology following an infestation is caused by bacteria entering the skin when the jigger penetrates.
What is podoconiosis disease?
Podoconiosis, a neglected tropical disease Podoconiosis or ‘endemic non-filarial elephantiasis’ is a tropical disease caused by exposure of bare feet to irritant alkaline clay soils. This causes an asymmetrical swelling of the feet and lower limbs due to lymphoedema.
Is podoconiosis curable?
Podoconiosis or ‘endemic non-filarial elephantiasis’ is a tropical disease caused by exposure of bare feet to irritant alkaline clay soils. This causes an asymmetrical swelling of the feet and lower limbs due to lymphoedema. Podoconiosis has a curable pre-elephantiasic phase. However, once elephanti …
What is podoconiosis (elephantiasis)?
Podoconiosis, also known as nonfilarial elephantiasis, is a disease of the lymphatic vessels of the lower extremities that is caused by chronic exposure to irritant soils.
What is the global distribution of podoconiosis?
Podoconiosis is most frequently seen in the highland areas of Africa, India, and Central America. The highest prevalence is seen in Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan, and Ethiopia. A recent review has summarized the global distribution of podoconiosis.