About this topic
River blindness is also called onchocerciasis. It affects the eyes and skin. Blackflies that have the infection spread it to humans by biting them. The fly bites and leaves tiny larvae under the skin. Larvae are worms that have not yet matured. Infection from the bite may start to spread inside the body in about 10 to 12 days. ‚
Signs may start when a large number of larvae grow inside your body. You may have very bad skin problems and may become blind. Your doctor may give you drugs to treat the infection and prevent long-term skin damage and blindness. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take all your drugs as ordered by your doctor. Be sure to strictly follow your doctors advice. Report any side effects or problems you have that might prevent you from taking the entire course of drugs as prescribed.
- Do not scratch itchy skin. Take a cool bath or shower to help relieve itching.
- Apply creams or lotions to keep skin moist and prevent dryness. Ask your doctor what is safe and best for you. Ask someone to help you apply your creams to areas that you may not be able to reach by yourself.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor will order drugs to: ‚
- Kill the worms inside your body
- Prevent spread of infection
- Ease itching
- Help with pain
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activities until your signs disappear. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Eye problem due to eye pressure
- Cloudy eyesight
- Swelling of the lymph nodes
- Thinning of the layers of the skin
- Wrinkling, thickening, and swelling of the skin
- Loss of skin elasticity of the groin
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Protect yourself from blackflies.
- Wear long pants and shirts or jackets with long sleeves.
- Use an insect repellent when going outside.
- Be aware of when and where blackflies are most active. Stay away from fast moving water. Stay inside during the day.
- Spray insect repellent to get rid of blackflies around your home.
- Always check clothing for insects during outdoor activity.
- Avoid traveling to areas with known river blindness outbreaks.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of skin infection. These include fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher; chills; pain; swelling, redness, and warm skin; discharge of pus from rash.
- Very itchy skin rash
- A lump under the skin
- Warm, painful, and swollen skin
- Thickened, wrinkled, or darkened skin
- Eye lesions
- Red and itchy eyes
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what may help ease my itching.
- I can tell you what I will do if my skin is warm, painful, swollen, or darkened.
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/onchocerciasis/gen_info/faqs.html ‚
World Health Organization ‚
http://www.who.int/blindness/causes/priority/en/index3.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚