Unusual presentations of cutaneous larva migrans

Abstract

Cutaneous larva migrans (also known as creeping eruption, sand worm eruption, plumbers itch, duck hunters itch) is caused by penetration of skin by third-stage larvae of animal hookworms; first reported by Lee in 1874. Adult hookworms infest the intestines of cats and dogs and their ova in excreta hatch under favorable conditions into infective larvae that penetrate the host skin. Cutaneous larva migrans is a common endemic disease in tropical and subtropical countries but it may also occur in other regions of the world. We report three cases of cutaneous larva migrans acquired during sunbathing at the sea and lying on the ground.

Keywords

• larva migrans
• Ancylostoma
• albendazole
• ivermectin
• skin disease