Cutaneous larva migrans
Courtesy Mark Ash, Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, N.C., and Dr. Donna Bilu Martin, Premier Dermatology MD, Aventura, Fla.
A case of cutaneous larva migrans is pictured here.
This skin eruption is caused by parasitic hookworms, the most common of which in the Americas is Ancylostoma braziliense. The eggs are transmitted through dog and cat feces deposited on soil or sand.
“Avoid laying or sitting on dry sand, even on a towel. And wear shoes,” Dr. Mesinkovska advised.
Among the CDC’s treatment recommendations for cutaneous larva migrans are several agents with poor efficacy and/or considerable side effects. But there is one standout therapy.
“Really, I would say nowadays the easiest thing is one 12-mg oral dose of ivermectin. It’s almost 100% effective,” she said.
Dr. Mesinkovska reported having no financial interests relevant to her talk.
SDEF/Global Academy for Medical Education and this news organization are owned by the same parent company.