Elephantiasis

A drug called diethylcarbamazine (DEC) is quite effective at killing the microfilariae as they circulate in the blood, and injuring or killing some of the adult worms within the lymphatic vessels. An individual may require several treatment with DEC, as any adult worms surviving the original DEC treatment will go on to produce more microfilariae offspring.

As the nematodes die, they release certain chemicals which can cause an allergic-type reaction in the host, so many individuals treated with DEC will also need treatment with potent anti-allergy medications such as steroids and antihistamines. The tissue damage caused by elephantiasis is permanent, but the extreme swelling can be somewhat reduced by surgery or the application of elastic bandages or stockings.