Parasite Afrique

Parasite Afrique, also known as puce chique or simply paras is an egg-laying flea that is easily contracted on the foot soles and feet or lower legs from stepping barefoot on beaches in wet areas where livestock roam. Most Malagasy people living in affected areas, such as Tamatave, have experienced the problem. Depending on the stage of infection, treatment include surgically removing the parasites combined with antibiotics.

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Sand fleas enter below the skin's surface of foot soles and/or under a toe nail and remain to lay their eggs.

Symptom usually occurs after a couple of days as one will feel an itching. The affected areas appear as light dot with a black middle.

The skin should then be opened, usually with a needle, to remove the knot containing the eggs, a procedure preferably done by a doctor. The knot may be the size of a small lentil. If the infection has occurred below the nail, the nail must first be removed.

To prevent these parasites to make themselves at home below your skin, be careful while on "dirty" beaches where animals such as pigs and zebu roam.