File:Tungiasis - Tunga penetrans - Skin (51912582184).jpg

Tungiasis is a cutaneous parasitosis that is found in most tropical and sub-tropical climates and is caused by infection with the female sand flea Tunga penetrans (and T. trimamillatain some areas). It is also commonly known as pulga de areia, niguá, pique, bicho do pé, bichodo porco or jatecuba, and, in English-speaking countries, as jigger, sand flea or chigoe. Tungiasis is a zoonosis that affects humans and animals alike. Several mammalian species can act as reservoirs for human infection. In rural areas, these are predominantly pigs and bovines; in resource-poor urban communities, dogs, cats and rats. The lifecycle of the flea occurs in sandy environments. Although males and females feed on blood of warm-blooded animals, only the females burrow into the skin which causes symptoms of itching and pain which may be severe. Skin lesions, which may be numerous, almost always occurs on the feet. Considerable itching and pain occur as the female fleas develop fully and increase their body volume by a factor of 2000 within one week. Bacterial infections of the lesions can cause abscesses, suppuration, or lymphangitis.

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Clinical images by Samuel Freire da Silva, M.D. in homage to The Master And Professor Delso Bringel Calheiros. Images obtained from Dermatology Atlas (<a href="http://www.atlasdermatologico.com.br/disease.jsf?diseaseId=478" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.atlasdermatologico.com.br/disease.jsf?diseaseId=478</a>).