🦶 How to Get Treatment for Jigger Digging (Tungiasis)
Jiggers, or Tunga penetrans, are tiny parasitic fleas that burrow into the skin—most commonly the feet—causing painful lesions, itching, swelling, and potential infections. This condition, known as tungiasis, is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions and can lead to serious complications if untreated.
🧼 Step 1: Clean the Area
Before any treatment, wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and warm water. This reduces the risk of infection and prepares the skin for safe extraction.
🛠️ Step 2: Manual Extraction
Manual removal is the most direct method:
- Sterilize tools: Use clean tweezers or a needle, disinfected with alcohol.
- Pierce gently: Carefully open the skin over the jigger’s burrow.
- Extract fully: Pull out the parasite without breaking it, to avoid leaving parts behind.
- Disinfect again: Clean the wound with antiseptic.
- Bandage: Cover with sterile gauze until healed.
This should ideally be done by a trained professional to avoid complications like secondary infections, tetanus, or gangrene.
💊 Step 3: Medical Treatment
In severe or widespread cases:
- Topical treatments: Use antiseptic creams or antibiotic ointments.
- Oral medications: Anti-parasitic drugs may be prescribed.
- Tetanus shots: Recommended if the wound is deep or dirty.
🛡️ Step 4: Aftercare & Prevention
- Monitor for infection: Watch for redness, pus, or fever.
- Wear shoes: Protect feet from sandy environments.
- Improve hygiene: Regular foot washing and clean living conditions help prevent reinfestation.
- Community action: Public health interventions, education, and sanitation improvements are key in endemic areas.
