Author's details
- Dr. Khashau Eleburuike
- MBBS (Ilorin) MSc. Global Health Karolinska Institute.
- Resident doctor in family medicine in Northern Sweden.
Reviewer's details
- Dr Gboyega Olarinoye
- MBBS, FMCP.
- Dermatologist at FMC Keffi Nassarawa State. Nigeria
Onchocerciasis
Background
Onchocerciasis, or river blindness, in darker-skinned individuals often causes intense itching, skin nodules, and depigmentation, particularly in areas of chronic infection. The disease, transmitted by blackfly bites, can lead to progressive vision loss and skin changes, including thickening and a “leopard skin” appearance. Treatment involves administering ivermectin to kill the larvae, with repeated doses to control the infection, and sometimes doxycycline to target the adult worms.
Lesion image
References
- Burnham G. Onchocerciasis. The Lancet. 1998 May 2;351(9112):1341-6.
- Boatin BA, Richards Jr FO. Control of onchocerciasis. Advances in parasitology. 2006 Jan 1;61:349-94.
- Claes D. Enk. Onchocerciasis (River Blindness). 2019; Available at: https://www.dermatologyadvisor.com/home/decision-support-in-medicine/dermatology/onchocerciasis-river-blindness/. Accessed 1215, 2024.
- Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph. D. — By Dava Stewart. Everything You Should Know About Onchocerciasis (River Blindness). 2018; Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/onchocerciasis-river-blindness. Accessed 0215, 2024.
- Field Evaluation of DDTD’s Onchocerciasis RDT in Ghana. Onchocerciasis – River Blindness. 2023; Available at: http://www.ddtd.org/riverblindness. Accessed 0215, 2024.
- Courtesy of The Carter Center, AUGUST 11, 201611:18 AM ET By Diane Cole. How Worm Warriors Are Beating An Unbeatable Worm. 2016; Available at: https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2016/08/11/489482662/how-worm-warriors-are-beating-an-unbeatable-worm. Accessed 0215, 2024.