A 17-year-old boy’s foot became infected with parasitic worms during a mission trip when after his friends buried him in the sand during a game.
Michael Dumas, from Memphis, Tennessee, was on the trip with friends in Florida in June where they took a break to have some fun at Pompano Beach.
Days later, bumps appeared on his leg and gaping wounds had encompassed his right foot.
The teenager’s mother, Kelli, rushed him to the emergency room where doctors told her that he’d had several parasites, known as hookworms, living under the skin of his foot.
Now, Kelli says she’s sharing her son’s story to warn parents about the parasites and prevent a similar situation from occurring to their children.
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
Michael Dumas, 17, from Memphis, Tennessee, contracted a parasite known as hookworm while on a mission trip to Florida in June. Days after he returned, he complained of ear pain and fatigue, which developed into an itchy rash
Doctors told his mother, Kelli, that the infection had likely occurred after Michael was buried in the sand at Pompano Beach (pictured), where hookworm eggs had hatched
Kelli told Fox 13 Memphis that on the last few days of their trip and when they returned home, her son was complaining of fatigue and ear pain.
Soon after, an itchy rash appeared on his right thigh followed by gaping wounds all over his feet.
A visit to the emergency room found that Michael had been infected by parasites known as hookworms.
According to the CDC, someone with a mild infection may have no symptoms. But a severe infection brings on symptoms including a localized rash, fatigue, diarrhea and a loss of appetite.
Hookworm eggs are found in the feces of people infected with the disease. If an infected person defecates outside, or the feces of that person is used as fertilizer, eggs can hatch in soil or sand.
Most people are infected by hookworms by walking across contaminated grounds.
The doctors told Michael that his infection likely occurred after he was buried in the sand at Pompano Beach, where hookworm eggs had hatched.
Michael was not the only one in his group to have been infected. Four other boys on the trip are also exhibiting symptoms, according to his mother.
Doctors told Kelli that her son had several worms – one as long as three inches – living under his skin.
In addition to a number of antibiotics, anti-parasitic medications and steroids, which Kelli wrote on Facebook has cost more than $1,300, the family also visited a dermatologist – who attempted to freeze the worms.
Kelli said that Michael has taken antibiotics, anti-parasitic medications and steroids, which has cost more than $1,300. The family also visited a dermatologist, who attempted to freeze the worms. Pictured, left and right: Kelli and Michael
In a post on Facebook, Kelli said that Michael is currently unable to wear shoes and needs to soak the infected area in bleach water every day. Pictured: Michael’s infected foot
In the same post, Kelli wrote that her son is still in pain more than a month after the trip and said she wants to warn other parents about the parasites. Pictured: Michael’s infected foot
‘While she was using the liquid nitrogen, he could actually feel the worms moving in his body,’ Dumas told Fox 13.
She added that he currently cannot wear shoes and needs to soak the infected area in bleach water every day.
In a Facebook post that included several graphic photos of her son’s foot with wrinkled, red skin, Kelli wrote that her son is still in pain more than a month after the trip.
‘He is in pain and this is AWFUL. Never be buried in sand or allow your children to be either!’ she wrote.
She adding that she called the Health Department for the City of Pompano Beach to tell them what happened to Michael.
‘[They] said: “Everyone knows to wear shoes on the beach because you can get parasites.” I assured them everyone does NOT KNOW THAT!!’ she wrote.
The post, which was shared on Friday, has so far received more than 1,900 reactions and has been shared more than 7,600 times.