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River Blindness (Black Fly Bite)

You can ask your village head or community leader when health workers will come.

symptoms

  • The eyes will start itching first, then the eyes will become red.
  • The skin will feel rough or swollen — like something is crawling under it.
  • The person will be scratching the body a lot — especially at night.
  • The eyes will be painful and the person will not see clearly, like something is covering the eyes.
  • The skin will have small lumps or boils that may be moving.
  • A child or an adult will be restless — they will not be able to sleep well.

causes

  • A small black fly that stays near rivers carries the worm that causes this disease.
  • If the fly bites someone, it will put the worm inside the body — the worm will move to the skin and eyes.
  • People who live near rivers or fetch water from dirty open rivers can get it more easily.

effects

  • It can lead to blindness gradually if the person is not treated.
  • The skin will be damaged and the person will be scratching a lot, which can cause wounds.
  • It will reduce how the person sees life — they may stop going to work, school, or the farm.
  • A child will suffer if they are not treated early — they will not learn well because they cannot see.

prevention

lifestyle

  • Do not stay long near rivers — cover your body if you are going there.
  • Wear long sleeves if you live in such areas.
  • Do not allow dirty water or gutters around your house — throw them away.
  • Clear bushes around your home.
  • Use insect spray in the house — it will help reduce the blackfly.
  • Do not stay outside late, especially near water or bushy areas.
  • Always cover your skin properly if you must go near rivers or bushes.
  • If your eyes or skin start itching and you stay near a river — go to the hospital.
  • Cover food and water properly, especially if flies have touched them.
  • If you or your child has itching in the eyes, body, or head, or have black rashes that are not going, go to the clinic so they can check you.

foods to eat (that will protect the eyes and skin)

  • Ugu soup
  • Waterleaf soup
  • Scent leaf sauce with rice and beans
  • Ugu soup with fish and a small amount of red oil
  • Soft okro soup with little pepper and oil
  • Light bitterleaf soup
  • Tomato stew with little oil
  • Fish soup
  • Crayfish pepper soup that is light and not too peppery
  • Moi moi with little oil
  • Boiled guinea corn
  • Boiled corn
  • Soft pap with milk or groundnut
  • Oat swallow
  • Pap (akamu) with milk or groundnut
  • Beans cooked with ugu
  • Boiled sweet potato
  • Boiled yam with oil and scent leaf
  • Boiled yam
  • Boiled plantain
  • Boiled unripe banana
  • Light unripe pawpaw porridge
  • Pawpaw
  • Guava
  • Orange
  • Lemon water
  • Cucumber
  • Carrot
  • A small amount of liver
  • Snail that is well cooked
  • Mango leaf or neem leaf tea
  • Soft rice and beans
  • Light zobo without sugar or artificial sweeteners

comment

  • You can ask your village head or community leader when health workers will come.
  • -When they come, collect the medicine they are sharing, especially if a health worker says everyone should take it.
  • -It is free medicine that kills the small worms inside the body that cause the disease.
  • -They give it once or twice a year, especially in places where people are getting the disease a lot.
  • -Even if you do not have symptoms, still take the medicine the health workers give — it will protect you before the disease starts.
  • One major sign someone has the disease is when the eye begins to look white like smoke is inside it — it does not pain, but it means the worm has started spoiling the eye. If not treated, it can lead to total blindness.

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    Important Medical Disclaimer

    This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition.