Goblin Toe

A parasitic infestation that usually starts in between the toes of the sufferor.

Transmission & Vectors

The parasitic worms spread through contact with infested soil, and they can be transported on shoes, boots, hooves, wagon wheels, etc., causing it to spread when the parasites are washed or brushed off and bury themselves in nearby soil as they wait for another host.

Causes

The parasites are small green worms, almost too small to see with the naked eye. The worms bite/burrow a little way into the skin where they deposit their eggs. After a few days, the hatched larvae begin feasting under the flesh of the host.

Symptoms

The feasting larvae turn the skin of the infected area green and itchy, hence the name Goblin Toe. Untreated cases of Goblin Toe make it difficult for the user to wear any foot coverings, and reduces movement rate by half when on foot.

Treatment

Recently, a healer in Greenvale discovered that the larvae can be killed by covering the infected area in a poultice of sheep urine, red clay and the pulverized leaves of the water nettle plant. The poultice needs to be kept on for 24 hours to have effect.
Previous treatments included lots of washing in various caustic substances, attempts to burn, or boil the larvae out. These treatments usually resulted in the larvae burrowing deeper into the flesh and going dormant until the treatment ended.  Additionally, treatments are used to try to ease the symptoms with mud, honey, or other common poultices for pain and itch relief.

Prognosis

Using the new sheep urine, clay and water nettle poultice has been shown to be 90% effective within 24 hours, and 99% effective in 48 hours. Prior treatments reduced the pain, inflammation and itchiness but did not remove the parasites, so the infestation would continue, usually until when the parasites would go dormant until the weather warmed up, and the Goblin Toe would return.

History

It was first found amongst the people living in the Greenvale valley near the southern edge of the Khaziram Mountains. While it is still most common in those areas, it has spread throughout the valley and even into Baystead.

Type

Parasitic

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Rare