Off The Record

Florida Teen Develops Painful Hookworm Infection After Sand Burial

Published on September 25, 2025

Michael never expected his sunny beach day would turn into a medical nightmare…

While on a missionary trip to Florida with 17 other boys from his church, 17-year-old Michael Dumas and his friends decided to spend some time relaxing at Pompano Beach on June 18. The day started like any other — sand, surf, and laughter. But it was in that sand that danger was silently waiting.

After returning home to Memphis, Tennessee, Michael first complained of a painful earache. Then red bumps appeared on his feet. Over a few days, more lesions appeared elsewhere on his body. Alarmed, his mother, Kelli Mulhollen Dumas, took him to see the family pediatrician, and the diagnosis was startling: hookworms.

Kelli, a dentist with a biology degree, put it succinctly:

“I’m a dentist, and I have a degree in biology — I have dissected things. Science is my gig, but hearing your son has parasitic worms inside of his body and that they’re replicating and growing? As a mother, my stomach tightened up into a big tight ball and started flipping around. I thought I was going to throw up.”

Among the parasites found under Michael’s skin was one measuring three inches long. Kelli likened the horror of it:

“I just had this vision of hookworms making babies inside my baby’s body!”

How could this happen? Hookworms are parasitic worms whose larvae can infect humans by penetrating intact skin. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), when contaminated feces are left on the ground, larvae may develop in soil or sand. If a person walks over those areas barefoot or even presses their skin into contaminated surfaces, the larvae can burrow into the skin.

In Michael’s case, he later told his mother that at one point on the beach, he had been buried in the sand by friends. Kelli believes that this is where the parasites invaded.

The ripple effect was worse: at least five other members of his missionary group also tested positive for hookworms following the same beach visit.

Understanding Cutaneous Hookworm Infection (Cutaneous Larva Migrans)

Cause

The most common genus involved is Ancylostoma (animal hookworms), often from feces of infected animals such as dogs or cats.
In warm, moist soil or sand, the eggs hatch into larvae, which mature and can live in the ground.
When human skin contacts that contaminated area (especially barefoot or with direct contact), the larvae penetrate the skin and migrate through the epidermal layers.

Typical symptoms

Itchy, raised, serpiginous (worm-track) lesions that “snake” under the skin.
Sometimes blistering or red papules appear.
Discomfort, burning or stinging sensations along the path of migration.
Occasionally systemic symptoms (if heavy infection) like abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, anemia.

Complications in Michael’s case

Because the infection was serious, Michael also developed a staph (bacterial) infection and could not leave home. He had a gaping wound on his right foot and four sutures. His mother feared this would leave permanent scars.

Kelli said:

“My son is going to have permanent scars from this. He has a gaping wound on his right foot. He has four sutures. This is not a joke. This is beyond any scope, I never dreamed this is something that would happen.”

How to Check If Someone Might Be Affected

If you suspect someone (especially a child) might have contracted a hookworm infection via skin exposure to contaminated sand or soil, here’s what to look and test for:

Visual and clinical exam

Look for serpiginous (wavy, snake-like) tracks in the skin, often red or inflamed.
Check for itching, burning, or tingling sensations along those tracks.
Note the timing: lesions often appear days to weeks after exposure.
Examine common contact sites: feet, ankles, lower legs, thighs, buttocks — especially in people who sat or lay on contaminated ground.

Medical testing and diagnosis

A dermatologist or tropical disease specialist may diagnose based on the characteristic skin lesions and exposure history.
Skin scrapings or biopsy in some cases may reveal larval tracks or tissue reaction.
Blood tests may show eosinophilia (elevated eosinophils, a type of white blood cell linked to parasitic infection).
If systemic symptoms exist (gastrointestinal symptoms, anemia), more laboratory tests (CBC, iron levels, stool ova & parasite exam) may be ordered.
Imaging or further tests are generally not needed in typical cutaneous infestations.

Additional signs to watch for:

Signs of secondary bacterial infection (redness, swelling, pus, pain at lesion).
Fever (if infection spreads).
If child is malnourished or a heavy infestation exists, signs of weakness, weight loss, or anemia.

Treatment, Recovery & Prevention

Treatment

Antiparasitic medications (such as albendazole or ivermectin) are commonly used to kill migrating larvae.
In Michael’s case, he underwent multiple medications and a painful cryotherapy session in which doctors froze parts of the skin to help eradicate the worms.
Wound management, antibiotics for secondary bacterial infections, and proper wound care are also essential.
Pain relief and topical agents may help with itching and discomfort.

Healing timeline

In many cases, lesions recede over days to weeks with treatment.
Deep lesions or delayed treatment may lead to scarring.
Because larvae migrate until they die or are destroyed, newer tracks may appear until the infection is cleared.

Prevention tips

Avoid walking barefoot in areas where animal feces might contaminate soil or sand (e.g. beaches, parks, playgrounds, pet areas).
Use protective footwear, even in sandy areas.
Discourage burying people in sand, especially in public beaches where contamination risk is higher.
Implement good sanitation, prevent open defecation, and manage animal waste.
In high-risk areas, health authorities may treat soil or sand or enforce hygiene measures.

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