Parasites Infecting the Skin

Skin and subcutaneous tissues are very common sites for a variety of arthropods, protozoa, and helminths. Arthropods are the most commonly encountered parasites in the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Skin manifestations caused by parasites include the following: skin swellings and nodules caused by Onchocerca volvulus, Loa, cutaneous myiasis, Sarcoptes and chigger; skin eruptions caused by insect bites and arachnid stings; skin and subcutaneous ulcerations caused by Leishmania tropica, L. braziliensis, and Trypanosoma; and itching caused by Sarcoptes scabiei, fleas, ticks, mites, and lice.