Seventeen-year-old Michael Dumas thought he was simply enjoying a carefree afternoon on Pompano Beach in Florida. He and 17 other boys from his church were on a missionary trip, spending June 18 swimming, laughing, and soaking up the sun. But hidden beneath the sand was a danger none of them could see.
When Michael returned to his home in Memphis, Tennessee, he started to feel unwell. First came a painful earache. Soon after, red bumps appeared on his feet, spreading to other parts of his body. Alarmed, his mother, Kelli Mulhollen Dumas, rushed him to their pediatrician. The diagnosis stunned her: hookworm infection.
“I’m a dentist with a biology degree,” Kelli said. “Science is my gig. But hearing your son has parasitic worms inside his body — that they’re growing and multiplying — made my stomach flip. I thought I was going to throw up.”
Among the parasites found under Michael’s skin was one measuring three inches long. Kelli described the horror vividly:
“I pictured hookworms making babies inside my baby’s body!”
How Did This Happen?
Hookworms are parasitic worms whose larvae live in contaminated soil or sand. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), when animal or human feces contaminate the ground, the larvae hatch and develop. If someone walks barefoot — or even lies down or is buried in that soil or sand — the larvae can penetrate the skin.
Michael later remembered being buried in the sand by his friends. His mother believes that was the moment the larvae entered his body. At least five other boys from the same missionary group also tested positive for hookworms after that day on the beach.
Understanding Cutaneous Hookworm Infection (Cutaneous Larva Migrans)
Cause
- Commonly linked to animal hookworms, especially from infected dogs or cats.
- Eggs hatch into larvae in warm, moist soil or sand, where they can survive until they find a host.
- Larvae penetrate skin on contact, especially where there’s barefoot or direct exposure.
Typical Symptoms
- Intense itching and raised, winding (serpiginous) tracks under the skin.
- Red papules or blister-like lesions.
- Burning or stinging sensations along the migration path.
- In severe cases, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, or anemia.
Michael’s Complications
Michael’s infection led to a secondary staph (bacterial) infection. He developed a large open wound on his right foot requiring sutures, forcing him to stay home and leaving permanent scars.
“This is not a joke,” Kelli said. “He’s going to have permanent scars from this ordeal.”
How to Recognize a Hookworm Infection
Look for:
- Wavy, snake-like red tracks in the skin.
- Itching, burning, or tingling where lesions appear.
- Lesions appearing days or weeks after contact with sand or soil.
- Common areas: feet, ankles, thighs, buttocks, or anywhere skin touched the ground.
Medical Evaluation:
- A dermatologist or tropical disease specialist can often diagnose based on the appearance of the lesions and the exposure history.
- Blood tests may show elevated eosinophils, a sign of parasitic infection.
- Secondary bacterial infection may produce swelling, redness, or pus.
Treatment, Recovery & Prevention
Treatment
- Antiparasitic medications like albendazole or ivermectin kill the migrating larvae.
- Wound care, antibiotics for secondary infections, and topical treatments ease pain and itching.
- In Michael’s case, doctors also used cryotherapy (freezing parts of the skin) to help eradicate the worms.
Recovery
- With treatment, lesions usually improve over several days or weeks.
- Deep or untreated lesions may leave permanent scars.
- Because larvae migrate until they die or are destroyed, new tracks can appear until treatment fully works.
Prevention
- Always wear footwear on beaches, playgrounds, or areas where animals may have defecated.
- Avoid burying yourself or others in sand at public beaches.
- Practice proper pet waste disposal and public sanitation to reduce contamination.
Please share this story with friends and family — it could prevent another nightmare like Michael’s.
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