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Cutaneous larva migrans

Last reviewed: 10 Nov 2024
Last updated: 31 Aug 2023

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • recent travel to tropics or subtropics
  • barefoot beachgoer/sunbather
  • creeping, raised, erythematous track
  • intense pruritus
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • vesiculobullous or papular lesions
  • folliculitis
Full details

Risk factors

  • recent travel to or residence in an endemic area
  • walking barefoot and/or sunbathing on contaminated beach
Full details

Diagnostic tests

1st tests to order

  • no test required: diagnosis is clinical
Full details

Tests to consider

  • skin scrapings/biopsy
Full details

Emerging tests

  • epiluminescence microscopy

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

nonpregnant 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.

Jill Weatherhead, MD, PhD, CTropMed

Assistant Professor of Pediatric Tropical Medicine

Baylor College of Medicine

Houston

TX

Disclosures

JW declares that she has no competing interests.

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