Mumsnet Talk

Dh has just returned from the Gambia with what he thought was an insect bite on his leg. Over the last week it has got bigger and yesterday a small white worm popped out of it (where's the yuk emoticon when you need it?) Went to GP who admitted she didn't know what to do and has referred him to dermatologist at hospital on Friday.

Has anyone heard of this - googling only produces 'guinea worm disease' which causes severe pain, and he says it's just a bit uncomfortable. Dh wants to know what the treatment will be (altho I think he has an idea...) and whether he'll have to take antibiotics.

gulp

oh lordy lord.

Is the worm out now?

I think the GP/you should get in tough with the hospital for tropical diseases at UCLH in London.

gulp indeed!

In touch

Poor DH!

According to a website I just found "The worm must be gently pulled out and wound onto a stick."

My sister had this. She got it in Bolivia. She went to school of tropical medicine somewhere to have it out. Try vaseline over it to cut off air. Works for screw worm.

Message withdrawn

I think you need more than a dermatologist!
Agree with Laylaandsethsmum.

<Googles>

<faints>

But moondog - how do you get it out then?

<faints>

It dies and you pull it out.
Or something.

I'm not sure a dermatologist is the right person?! Agree you should get in touch with the hospital for tropical diseases in London!

Having said that, it may not be too serious. My brother got a worm growing in the sole of his foot from walking barefoot on the beach in Bali. I think they literally just cut it out of the foot and that was it. But I'm sure there are many types of worm... You need someone who knows about Gambian parasitic infections!

<gulp>

Is it guinnea worm? It might not hurt at first?

Dermatolgoist is a waste of time. Tropical disease centre. Definitely. If they die in place some of them can be dangerous. A friend came back with one of these from Gambia - and the thing about the matchstick is not an urban myth.

I agree with the other posters. I can't understand why GP has referred him to a dermatologist. I think he needs to ring the doctors in the morning and see someone specialising in tropical diseases.

Dh is in remarkably good spirits for some strange reason. He loves a good anecdote and has been on the phone half the night, having 'guess what's wrong with me' conversations!

One worm is out, but there's another one in there. Or possibly it's the first worm's bottom.

Oh god sphil! What id it laid eggs in there?

I'd be down to A&E if it were me. Would become hysterical if necessary to get it sorted. No way would I rest with a fecking worm in my leg.

GPs are useless with stuff like this.

Allededly.

They do make good dinner party stories - but he really doesn't want it dying in there.

goodness.

feel a bit itchy now!

"One worm is out, but there's another one in there. Or possibly it's the first worm's bottom."

<runs screaming from thread>

<then faints>