Cutaneous Larva Migrans

• Published in: Pediatric emergency care Vol. 19; no. 5; pp. 350 - 352
• Main Authors: Simon, Michael W, Simon, Neal P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc 01-10-2003; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
• Subjects: Adolescent; Agricultural Workers' Diseases - diagnosis; Agricultural Workers' Diseases - drug therapy; Ancylostomiases; Ankle; Anthelmintics - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Diseases caused by nematodes; Emergencies; Erythema - etiology; Helminthic diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Kentucky; Larva Migrans - diagnosis; Larva Migrans - drug therapy; Male; Medical sciences; Parasitic diseases; Pruritus - etiology; Thiabendazole - therapeutic use; Kentucky; Human; Pediatrics; Oral administration; Larva migrans; Epidermis; Parasitosis; Helminthiasis; Hookworm infection; Infection; Treatment; Nematode disease; Skin; Ambulatory; Diagnosis; Emergency; Child
• ISSN: 0749-5161; 1535-1815
• DOI: 10.1097/01.pec.0000092583.40174.71

Cutaneous larva migrans is occasionally seen in pediatric emergency outpatient care settings. It results from infestation of hookworm larvae into the epidermis. The infestation is self-limited but may produce severe discomfort. The diagnosis relies entirely on clinical findings. Laboratory findings only support the clinical diagnosis but do not confirm it. Treatment is typically with topical thiabendazole, but oral thiabendazole may be indicated in severe cases.