Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia, is a disease caused by parasitic worms called schistosomes that enter the body through the skin when a person comes into contact with contaminated freshwater. The signs of schistosomiasis can vary depending on the stage…
Trichinosis is caused by eating raw or undercooked meat that contains larvae of a parasitic roundworm called *Trichinella*. When a person consumes meat infected with these larvae, the parasites enter the digestive system, where they mature into adult worms. These…
## What Are the Symptoms of Leishmaniasis? Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by tiny parasites called Leishmania, which are spread through the bites of infected sand flies. The symptoms can look very different depending on which type of leishmaniasis a…
Necrotizing fasciitis is a severe, rapidly progressing infection that destroys the soft tissue and fascia, the connective tissue surrounding muscles, nerves, fat, and blood vessels. The root cause of necrotizing fasciitis is the invasion of bacteria into the deeper layers…
Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that can start subtly but quickly become serious if not recognized and treated. The signs of cellulitis usually begin with changes in the skin’s appearance and sensations around the infected area, often progressing rapidly.…
Bullous pemphigoid is a chronic autoimmune skin condition characterized by large, fluid-filled blisters that primarily affect older adults. The blisters form because the immune system mistakenly attacks the skin’s basement membrane, causing separation between the layers of skin. Treating bullous…
Pemphigus vulgaris is caused by an autoimmune reaction in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks a specific protein called desmoglein 3, which is essential for holding skin cells together. This attack leads to the production of autoantibodies—immune proteins that…
Dermatomyositis is a rare autoimmune disease that primarily affects the skin and muscles. The signs of dermatomyositis can be quite distinctive and usually involve a combination of skin changes and muscle weakness. Understanding these signs is important because early recognition…
Diagnosing lupus is a complex and often lengthy process because lupus is a highly variable autoimmune disease that can affect many parts of the body and mimic other illnesses. There is no single test that definitively confirms lupus, so doctors…
Scleroderma is a complex autoimmune disease that primarily causes the skin and connective tissues to harden and tighten, but it can also affect internal organs. The symptoms vary widely depending on the type of scleroderma and which parts of the…