Research Topic · Peer-Reviewed

Elephantiasis

Elephantiasis is a rare medical condition caused by infection with parasitic worms. It is characterized by extreme swelling of the skin and underlying tissues, leading to thickening and hardening of the skin. The most common symptom is the swelling of the legs and genitals, giving the appearance of an elephant's tru…

Curated from this journal's research 📚 1 peer-reviewed article cited 🔖 ISSN 2690-4837 🗓 Reviewed June 2026

Overview

Elephantiasis is a rare medical condition caused by infection with parasitic worms. It is characterized by extreme swelling of the skin and underlying tissues, leading to thickening and hardening of the skin. The most common symptom is the swelling of the legs and genitals, giving the appearance of an elephant's trunk. Elephantiasis is a disabling condition that can lead to psychological and social stigma. Treatment involves the use of medications to kill the parasites, as well as surgery to remove excess skin and tissue. Prevention is key, and includes avoiding contact with infected individuals and maintaining good personal hygiene.

Research published in this journal

1 peer-reviewed article, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.

Editorial oversight

Curated from peer-reviewed research published in International Journal of Infection Prevention (ISSN 2690-4837).

Journal editorial board
Tetsuya Suzuki · Japan Yosra A. Helmy · United States

This page summarises published research for orientation; it is not medical or professional advice.