Memphis teen infected with hookworms after beach trip

WARNING – GRAPHIC CONTENT: The mother of a teenage beachgoer in the US has warned of the dangers of being buried in sand after her son was infected with hookworms.

Michael Dumas, 17, of Memphis, was enjoying a day in Pompano Beach, Florida, with friends on June 20 when what seemed like a harmless activity turned into a “nightmare.”

Days after being buried in beach sand, the teenager began complaining of headaches and developed bumps under the skin on his legs.

He was rushed to hospital where doctors confirmed he had a serious case of hookworm, a parasite that lives inside the small intestine.

His mother, Kelli Dumas, shared a series of horrific images of her son's injuries on Facebook in a bid to warn others.

“He was buried in the sand for fun and it became our nightmare,” she wrote.

She says that even though Michael is treated with expensive medications, her son still suffers greatly.

“Never be buried in sand and never allow your children to be!” I'm only showing a few photos because it's so disturbing,” Ms Dumas said.

“He could actually feel the worms moving in his body,” she told US television station WJAX.

More than a month after the infection began, Michael still has gaping wounds on his legs and is unable to wear shoes despite bathing his wounds in bleach daily.

The Florida Department of Health is investigating, a spokeswoman told the Sun Sentinal.

According to the Australian Department of Health, hookworms are most common in the Kimberley and other tropical regions of northern Australia.

Hookworms thrive in areas with inadequate sewage disposal, and people can become infected when their skin comes into contact with areas contaminated with larvae that can burrow into human skin.