AIN’T NO VACATION WITHOUT SHOES ON A BEACH
Vacationing is a time to rest and feel better once you get back. You should feel good and ready to tackle the world. But not for one Canadian couple. They went to the Dominican Republic, walked on the sand barefoot (what most people do on a beach) but regret it fiercely. They came back with itchy feet, and then the itchy feet turned to something pretty scary. Dozens of parasite larvae turned-worms burrowed in their feet. So, if your feet feel itchy, you may want to check them out. You may have something growing down there.
COUPLE REGRET WALKING ON BEACH BAREFOOT, PAY PRICE WITH LARVAE BURROWED IN FEET
Four days after coming home the itchiness turned to painful swelling and blisters. It hurt so much they couldn’t wear shoes or socks. They posted pictures on their Facebook accounts which are quite horrifying. They went to the hospital numerous times and doctors eventually diagnosed them with cutaneous larva migrans. The cause was hookworm larvae. They entered the couples’ skin while they walked barefoot on the beach. And so the couples’ regrets began.
PARASITE LIVES IN THE INTESTINES OF DOGS AND CATS AND OTHER ANIMALS
This particular parasite normally lives in the intestines of dogs, cats and other wild animals. The larvae can burrow into human skin when it comes into contact with sand and soil polluted with animal feces. Hookworm larvae don’t survive longer than six weeks in humans and usually go away on their own. Medication and seeking assistance can be necessary, especially if you don’t know why your feet look horribly diseased. The only two drugs that can assist in the healing process cannot be accessed in Canada. And they are accessed through the federal government’s Special Access Program on a case-by-case basis. But these drugs can be accessed in the US with a prescription. The couple’s initial request for these drugs was denied. They then found a Doctor who was dual certified in Canada and in the US who was able to help them.
The couple’s feet are doing better and they are off crutches. They highly recommend if you plan on going to a beach vacation, to wear shoes on the beach. Otherwise you may have larvae burrowed in some places in your body you don’t want larvae. Don’t live to regret it!
