Enlargement of an area of the body due to obstruction within the lymphatic system and the resulting accumulation of lymph

Symptoms of Elephantiasis

The following features are indicative of Elephantiasis:
  • swelling of the arms, legs, or genitals
It is possible that Elephantiasis shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.

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Common Causes of Elephantiasis

The following are the most common causes of Elephantiasis:
  • parasitic worms

Risk Factors for Elephantiasis

The following factors may increase the likelihood of Elephantiasis:
  • living for a long time in tropical and subtropical area
  • having a high exposure to mosquitoes
  • living in unsanitary conditions

Prevention of Elephantiasis

Yes, it may be possible to prevent Elephantiasis. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
  • using insecticide-treated mosquito bed nets
  • wear long sleeves and trousers
  • use mosquito repellent on exposed skin

Occurrence of Elephantiasis

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Elephantiasis cases seen each year worldwide:
  • Very common > 10 Million cases

Common Age Group

Elephantiasis can occur at any age.

Common Gender

Elephantiasis can occur in any gender.

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Elephantiasis

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Elephantiasis:
  • Blood test: To detect the level of anti filarial IgG4 in the blood

Doctor for Diagnosis of Elephantiasis

Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Elephantiasis:
  • Infectious Disease Specialist
  • Surgeon

Complications of Elephantiasis if untreated

Yes, Elephantiasis causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Elephantiasis is left untreated:
  • blood vessels obstruction
  • gangrene formation

Procedures for Treatment of Elephantiasis

The following procedures are used to treat Elephantiasis:
  • Surgery: To correct elephantiasis

Self-care for Elephantiasis

The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Elephantiasis:
  • Compression garments: Wear stockings or long sleeves to compress the arm or leg
  • Using mosquito nets: To reduce the risk for mosquito bites
  • Use mosquito repellent on exposed skin: To reduce the risk for mosquito bites

Is Elephantiasis Infectious?

Yes, Elephantiasis is known to be infectious. It can spread across people via the following means:
  • infection spreads from person to person by mosquito bites

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Elephantiasis.
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