A DAD is begging for help after a mosquito bite left him with one giant leg.
Chetan Pithadia first noticed his leg was swelling up four years ago.
But when the 53-year-old went to the doctors, they sent him away with some tablets, which failed to help.
His leg continued to get bigger and bigger, gradually growing to FOUR times its usual size.
It weighs a staggering four stone and has almost entirely engulfed his foot thanks to huge folds and giant lumps.
The dad-of-two is suffering a condition called parasitic filarial worms, carried by mosquitoes and spread by their bites.
The former garment worker – who has had to give up work – is appealing for help to raise £3,500 he needs for treatment.
Chetan from Jaamnagar, India, said: “My condition is getting worse by the day.
“It’s a condition where the patient can only find relief to a certain extent.
“I have recently discovered a probable cure at a hospital in Kerala.
“But the process requires admitting me to hospital for a month three times, and I will need medicines for around two years.”
Mr Pithadia, who lives with his wife, son and daughter, said he initially thought the swelling was temporary.
A MOSQUITO BOURNE PARASITE THAT TRIGGERS ‘ELEPHANT LEG DISEASE’
LYMPHATIC filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis, is a lesser known tropical disease.
Humans can become infected if they’re bitten by a mosquito carrying the filarial parasites.
The painful symptoms can leave sufferers severely disfigured.
Like in Chetan’s case it can cause lymphoedema – severe swelling of the body’s tissues.
It can also cause swelling of a man’s scrotum, as well as mental health problems.
Preventative chemotherapy can stop the spread of infection.
He travelled more than 600 miles to the Municipal Hospital in central Mumbai where doctors gave him oral medication which didn’t help.
Later a doctor in his hometown diagnosed him with lymphedema filariasis – also known as elephantiasis.
Last month experts revealed he could be cured by treatment available at the Institute of Applied Dermatology in Kerala, nearly 1,200 miles south of his home.
To donate to his cause, visit his fundraising page here.
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