After a trip to Russia, where many mosquitoes were ticking, a 32-year-old woman who chose to remain anonymous, noted a raised part of the skin. The raised part was identified as a living worm.

The woman documented everything through the pictures. At first, a small lump, almost invisible, below the left eye. Five days later, the bumps moved over the left eye. Ten days later, it was placed on the edge where it caused noticeable swelling. In addition to combustion, swelling and itching, the 32-year-old did not state any other symptoms.

Two weeks later, she met an ophthalmologist to find out what was wrong. Using surgical scissors, the doctor managed to pull the worm out. The woman is healthy. It was a parasitic worm called Dirofilaria repens and it is repulsive.

The parasite was transmitted to the woman through a mosquito and usually affects dogs, cats and wild mammals. In rare cases it can be transmitted to humans. In 2011, researchers reported 400 reported cases. When not treated, it can travel to the lungs and cause problems such as fever, chest pain and cough.

Most of the human crossings have occurred in Europe, Africa, India and Asia.

Source: Cosmopolitan UK