Tungiasis, the skin condition caused by the parasitic Tungapenetrans flea, can cause several different symptoms in a patient who has been bitten. The tunga flea is found on sandy beaches, rainforests, ... Tungiasis is a parasitic skin disease caused by the penetration of the sand flea Tunga penetrans into the skin, predominantly affecting the feet.

Understanding the Context

This condition is prevalent in resource-poor and ... People can suffer terrible consequences from being bitten by sand fleas. Shutterstock Tungiasis is identified by clinical examination of lesions caused by fleas burrowing into the skin, often on the ... Tungiasis is caused by an infestation of gravid female T.

Key Insights

penetrans. T. penetrans are also referred to as chigoe, jigger and sand flea. Common hosts include humans, dogs, cats and pigs. This ...

Final Thoughts

Both animals and humans are susceptible to infection. Tungiasis is caused by the adult female sand flea, Tunga penetrans. The larvae and pupae develop in dry shaded soils, mostly inside the sleeping rooms of houses with an unsealed earthen floor where most transmission occurs. Tungiasis is an inflammatory skin disease caused by infection with the female ectoparasitic Tunga penetrans, a flea also known as the chigoe, chigo, chigoe flea, chigo flea, jigger, nigua, sand flea, or burrowing flea (and not to be confused with the chigger, a different arthropod). Tungiasis is a painful, itchy skin condition that occurs when female sand fleas burrow into your skin to feed as they lay their eggs. You develop white circles with black dots in the centers.

Secondary bacterial infections are not uncommon with tungiasis. Tunga penetrans is distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including Mexico to South America, the West Indies and Africa. The fleas normally occur in sandy climates, including beaches, stables and farms. Find out the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for tungiasis, a parasitic skin infection caused by sand fleas.