When left untreated, however, parasitic infections can spread beyond the skin, affecting the bloodstream and other organs. You should consult our dermatologist at Piedmont Plastic Surgery & Dermatology if you think you or your child may have a parasitic infection.

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What is a Parasitic Infection?

A parasitic infection is an infection of the skin that is caused by a parasite. These parasites are usually a small insect or worm which burrows into the skin, where it lays eggs, or bites in order to feed on human blood.

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What are the Types of Parasitic Skin Infections?

  • Head lice are quite common in preschool and elementary school children. These small, wingless insects bite the host and suck its blood, leaving itchy, red bite marks in their wake.
  • Scabies is caused by a mite called sarcoptes scabiei and causes an itchy, red rash to form on the surface of the skin. If this type of infection is left untreated, the mites can burrow into the skin, laying eggs, and plaguing the host for months.
  • Creeping eruption is a parasitic infection that is caused by hookworms. Also known as cutaneous larva migrans, or sandworm disease, creeping eruption is characterized by itching, blisters, and a rash which grows in a red, winding pattern on the skin. It can increase in size by up to one to two centimeters per day.

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How are Parasitic Infections Treated?

Parasitic infections are treated with anti-parasitic medication which is administered either topically as a cream, wash, or ointment, or orally. In some cases, an oral antihistamine may also be administered in order to control itching. For some parasites, it may be necessary to treat the entire household in order to ensure the infection does not continue to spread.

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Belmont

974 SouthPoint Road, Suite D
Belmont NC 28012

Phone: 704-755-8020

Fax: 704-755-8021

Charlotte/Blakeney

5815 Blakeney Park Drive, Suite 100
Charlotte, NC 28277

Phone: 704-542-2220

Fax: 704-542-3304

Charlotte/Cotswold

309 S. Sharon Amity Road, Suite 200
Charlotte, NC 28211

Phone: 704-344-8846

Fax: 704-344-9844

Denver

7476 Waterside Loop Road #600
Denver, NC 28037

Phone: 704-601-4381

Fax: 704-822-5997

Forest City

651 Withrow Road
Forest City, NC 28043

Phone: 828-288-1204

Fax: 828-288-1205

Gastonia/937 Cox Road

937 Cox Road
Gastonia, NC 28054

Phone: 704-898-8014

Fax: 704-898-8018

Gastonia/959 Cox Road

959 Cox Road
Gastonia, NC 28054

Phone: 704-866-7576

Fax: 704-866-0106

Hickory/Tate Blvd. Building 100

315 19th St. SE, Building 100
Hickory, NC 28602

Phone: 828-325-9849

Fax: 828-325-9879

Hickory/Tate Blvd. Building 200

315 19th St. SE, Building 200
Hickory, NC 28602

Phone: 828-328-3500

Fax: 828-328-8777

Huntersville

13539 Reese Blvd W.
Huntersville, NC 28078

Phone: 704-892-4878

Fax: 704-892-7453

Shelby

105 Delta Park Drive
Shelby, NC 28150

Phone: 704-484-0464

Fax: 704-482-0308

Map of Locations

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