Matakenya is the local term for this painful skin condition caused by burrowing fleas that we know as tungiasis. Locals who even wear sandals are susceptible to what can best be described as larvae pustules that can be anywhere on the foot, and which are self limited but can cause an enormous amount of pain.
The flea burrows into the skin and the initial symptoms include severe itching. Later on the flea tries to lay eggs and ends up dying in the pustule of eggs and the body of the flea. Medical removal involves washing (with some very calloused feet this requires high duty brushes.) Then using a razor or sharp object the entire flea and eggs must be removed. Unfortunately this can cause some bleeding, which should be minimized to reduce other pathogenic infection. Topical or systemic antibiotics should be used. For this "family" of 3 orphan children and older grandmother-figure we also prescribed an antiparasitic treatment as well.
The flea burrows into the skin and the initial symptoms include severe itching. Later on the flea tries to lay eggs and ends up dying in the pustule of eggs and the body of the flea. Medical removal involves washing (with some very calloused feet this requires high duty brushes.) Then using a razor or sharp object the entire flea and eggs must be removed. Unfortunately this can cause some bleeding, which should be minimized to reduce other pathogenic infection. Topical or systemic antibiotics should be used. For this "family" of 3 orphan children and older grandmother-figure we also prescribed an antiparasitic treatment as well.
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