Cutaneous larva migrans

Published on 11/06/2015 by admin

Filed under Pediatrics

Last modified 22/04/2025

Print this page

This article have been viewed 1205 times

Creeping eruption. Serpiginous red track on plantar forefoot in a child.

Serpiginous red track with excoriations on foot of child infested by larva of A. brasiliensis.

CLINICAL FEATURES

Itchy red, serpiginous areas that appear to pulsate is the pattern in cutaneous larva migrans (creeping eruption). Lesions are mostly on the foot and advance at 1 cm/day. A history of play along beaches in the southeast USA or Caribbean islands may be found.

A second pattern involves the perianal skin, thighs or buttocks and advances at 5 cm/hr.

Children with foot lesions are infested with the dog and cat hookworm larvae, Ancylostoma brasiliensis. The perianal pattern is due to Strongyloides stercoralis.

TREATMENT

Topical 15% thiabendazole cream applied three times a day for 5 to 7 days often cures the foot lesions.

For perianal involvement oral thiabendazole 25 mg/kg two times a day for 2 days; albendazole 700 mg/day for 7 days or ivermectin 200 mg/kg in a single oral dose are all effective.

Related

Pediatric Dermatology DDX Deck