Cutaneous larva migrans

Last reviewed: 1 Mar 2023
Last updated: 05 Nov 2019

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • recent travel to tropics or subtropics
  • barefoot beachgoer/sunbather
  • creeping, raised, erythematous track
  • intense pruritus
More key diagnostic factors

Other diagnostic factors

  • vesiculobullous or papular lesions
  • folliculitis
Other diagnostic factors

Risk factors

  • recent travel to or residence in an endemic area
  • walking barefoot and/or sunbathing on contaminated beach
More risk factors

Diagnostic investigations

1st investigations to order

  • no test required: diagnosis is clinical
More 1st investigations to order

Investigations to consider

  • skin scrapings/biopsy
More investigations to consider

Emerging tests

  • epiluminescence microscopy

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

non-pregnant adults and children

pregnant

ONGOING

no response to initial treatment or relapse

Contributors

Authors

David J. Diemert, MD, FRCP(C)
David J. Diemert

Professor

Departments of Medicine and Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine

The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Washington

DC

Disclosures

DJD declares that he has no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Eric Caumes, MD

Professor of Infectious and Tropical Diseases

Universite Pierre et Marie Curie

Vice Chairman

Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases

Hopital Pitie-Salpetriere

Paris

France

Disclosures

EC is an author of a number of references cited in this topic.

Jorg Heukelbach, MD, PhD

Professor

Department of Community Health

School of Medicine

Federal University of Ceara

Ceara

Brazil

Disclosures

JH is an author of a number of references cited in this topic.

Brett Hendel-Paterson, MD, CTM

Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Hospitalist

Health Partners Regions Hospital

Attending Physician in Travel Clinic

Assistant Professor of Medicine

University of Minnesota

St Paul

MN

Disclosures

BHP declares that he has no competing interests.

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