[Faline]

The back of the knee and ankles of a patient with elephantiasis.

Elephantiasis (el-e-fan-TY-a-sis) is the result of a tropical worm infection called filariasis (fil-a-RY-a-sis). When infected mosquitoes transmit the parasitic worm Wuchereria bancrofti to people, the worm blocks the lymphatic system. The blockage causes swelling in the legs or other parts of the body, making these body parts appear large and puffy, or elephant-like. Elephantiasis is not “elephant man disease,” which is an inherited condition with completely different causes and symptoms.

[GlassToTheArson]

So this isn't permanent damage then?

[PoetsOfTheFall]

it looks painful

[Sharon]

I did not realise it was contracted that way

[K9Grip]

Damn, there has to be some kind of treatment.

[mintycbo]

Originally Posted by K9Grip ↗

Damn, there has to be some kind of treatment.

From -> http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs102/en/

The recommended regimen for treatment through mass drug administration (MDA) is a single dose of two medicines given together - albendazole (400 mg) plus either ivermectin (150-200 mcg/kg) in areas where onchocerciasis (river blindness) is also endemic or diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC) (6 mg/kg) in areas where onchocerciasis is not endemic. These medicines clear microfilariae from the bloodstream and kill most of the adult worms.

[TwistedPrincess]

i think the meds kill the adult worm but the person is still left deformed. on your link it says "When lymphatic filariasis develops into chronic conditions, it leads to lymphoedema (tissue swelling) or elephantiasis (skin/tissue thickening) of limbs and hydrocele "
"Hydrocele (fluid accumulation) can be cured with surgery".with the worms and fluid removed, i still would imagine there also would have to be cosmetic surgery for one to appear normal looking (or near it) because when that fluid is removed, there lokely is going to be a lot of excess skin hanging down. sort of like when a fat person loses a lot of weight. i feel sorry for those especially who are living with or have lived and died with this condition. not all of them will get the medical treatment they need.
i have a lot of saved pictures of this disease but i probably got them from here to start with, so i won't repost them. anyone new to this site should use the search engine here for "elephantitis" (or google's search - probably with the adult filter turned off) to see more pics of this disease on the leg, vulva, penis and wherever. ugly ugly disease!

[lavahawk]

Those are some massive Cankles!

[Yvesrow1]

Originally Posted by lavahawk ↗

Those are some massive Cankles!

With shit growing on them

[Spiffyfable]

Whoa.... That ain't right