It Started With a Bump—But What Was Crawling Underneath Her Skin?
At first, it was nothing more than a small, itchy bump—annoying, but not alarming. Days later, it began to shift. What this young woman thought was a mosquito bite quickly spiraled into something far more terrifying: a living creature burrowing beneath her skin.
Doctors were baffled. What they discovered wasn’t just rare—it was the stuff of nightmares. And shockingly, this wasn’t an isolated case.
Could this happen to you?
A Parasite Beneath the Surface: The Russia Case That Stunned the Medical World
In 2018, a 32-year-old woman in Russia noticed a strange bump under her eye. It moved—first to her cheek, then up to her lip. She wasn’t imagining things. Physicians eventually diagnosed her with Dirofilaria repens, a parasitic roundworm usually found in dogs and cats, but sometimes transmitted to humans by mosquito bites.
A minor procedure removed the worm, and she made a full recovery. But the eerie sensation of something crawling under her skin—and the medical mystery that surrounded it—left a lasting impression. The case, detailed in the New England Journal of Medicine, became a global cautionary tale.
When Your Skin Is Hiding Something More Sinister
While most skin issues are nothing more than annoying rashes or bug bites, parasitic infections—though rare—are very real. And they’re happening more frequently than many realize, especially with increased global travel and climate changes expanding insect habitats.
Notable Skin Parasites Include:
Cutaneous Larva Migrans – A hookworm infection from walking barefoot on contaminated ground. Creates twisting, red, snake-like trails under the skin.
Onchocerciasis (River Blindness) – Spread by blackflies in Africa; symptoms include intense itching, skin nodules, and vision damage.
Loiasis (African Eye Worm) – Transmitted by deerflies; causes visible worm movement under the skin and occasionally across the eye.
Schistosomal Dermatitis (Swimmer’s Itch) – Caused by parasites in freshwater; triggers itchy welts that resolve on their own.
Dracunculiasis (Guinea Worm Disease) – A nearly-eradicated infection where a worm painfully emerges through the skin after about a year.
Warning Signs: When to Pay Attention
Not all itching is cause for concern—but some symptoms shouldn’t be brushed off. Seek medical evaluation if you notice:
A bump that changes position or visibly moves
Persistent skin swelling or irritation with no clear cause
Recent insect bites during travel to tropical or rural areas
Exposure to untreated water or walking barefoot outdoors
Movement under the skin is one of the most telling signs of a parasitic infection.
Diagnosis & Treatment: What Doctors Look For
When a parasitic infection is suspected, doctors may:
Examine the bump for mobility
Use ultrasound or MRI to visualize the intruder
Run blood tests for specific antibodies or eosinophil levels
Remove the parasite surgically or prescribe anti-parasitic medications
Recovery is usually quick when caught early—but delay can lead to complications.
How to Stay Safe: Preventing Skin Parasite Infections
Although rare, these infections can be prevented with some simple precautions:
Use mosquito repellent (especially those with DEET or picaridin)
Wear protective clothing outdoors
Avoid wading or swimming in freshwater in endemic areas
Never walk barefoot in unknown environments
Drink only clean or purified water while traveling
A little preparation goes a long way in preventing unpleasant surprises.
Final Thoughts: Stay Informed, Not Afraid
The idea of something living beneath your skin is deeply unsettling—but the reality is these cases are treatable and preventable. Awareness is key. If a strange bump starts to move or linger, don’t wait. Seek medical help immediately.
In today’s connected world, travel and nature bring us closer to beauty—and to hidden risks. By understanding what to look for and how to respond, you can enjoy the world safely, skin and all.