Poss tmi warning - DH has worm in leg

[sphil]

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.

To be fair, not absolutely sure it is a dermatologist - DH just assumed so. On the phone the GP said that he would know exactly what to do, so sounds as if he may be tropical medicine expert. I hope.

I'm with Mutt on GP front. Unless it's lumbago or a bunion they know nowt. Also allegedly.

eggs!!!!

eep - am finding a nicer thread now.

I think it's a fly that has laid eggs, which have now hatched out. You are so right about the dining out NoddyH - when he's 85 he'll be boring the grandchildren with his 'Did I tell you about the time I had a worm in my leg?' story.

Has he been to Africa before?

Fascinating reading on Google re Guinea Worm - but it says takes a year from infection before the worm emerges?

Hopefully it is something else!

vom.
Sorry, but ewwww, your poor DH!

He has, yes - but 10 years ago!

First thing I thought of was a film I saw on a BBC program, possibly comic relief... can't remember... anyway, they do need to gently wind it around a stick and remove it, whilst winding so it doesn't snap off... yuk!

Tropical diseases clinic in London is best place really.

I don't like the idea that there is a worms little botty stuck in your DH's leg though! And what if its not just a botty, but a mummy worm with a fanjo, about to have/ just had baby worms ? Have you thought of that hmm, probably best not to think of that actually.. sorry, now you are, aren't you?

God, I'm a terrible poster...

OMG

any chance of a photo?

OMG Susie!!

ewwww

Slap some vaseline on it to suffocate it. Then it won't got crawling around your bed tonight!

Oooh this would fascinate me

I'd love to get my hands on it!!!!

THe winding round stick thing I've heard of. Vaseline sounds like a good, and pretty harmless suggestion.

ewww poor him
Someone I knew ages ago got one in their armpit

They had to book in to hosp to get it removed but the night before they were due to go in the worm legged it in the night...

Yep, saw the "vaseline method" on telly programme about these kind of worms etc. There was a woman with a huge worm coming out of her neck. A real big juicy one - but it was dead after the vaseline.

It could be worse.
He could have a guinea pig in his leg.

I'm sorry, I know I really shouldn't, but this thread has really made me smile - well okay laugh out loud!!

In all seriousness - I couldn't just leave it - I'd be at A&E pronto - I'd want the horrible thing out - NOW!!

I do hope that every gets sorted out and your DH's leg gets better soon.

Hifi - a photo really!!!

OMG sphil....but trust a bloke to be blase about something like this.

I understand the vaseline theory...but how do you get it out once the vaseline has killed it. Can't imagine it thinking "oooh, it's a bit stuffy in here, best jump ship". And if it does jump ship...where will it go?

shouldn't have clicked on this; I'll be having nightmares tonight.

DH is pretending to be horrified at your cavalier attitude to his predicament but I know he's secretly pleased to have infiltrated MN at last...

We are v childish - have just been rofl singing
'There's a worm at the bottom of your le-eg, And his name is Wiggly-Woo'

Mutt - that's exactly why he didn't tell me about it last night, after he'd found Worm 1. He thought I'd banish him to spare room. As if ...(runs to airing cupboard for sheets)

eeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

I would be fascinated but repulsed at the same time. No way would I share a bed with a wormy leg though.