Cutaneous Larva Migrans - Symptoms and Treatment

Cutaneous larva migrans is a parasitic skin infection caused by hookworm larvae that usually infest cats, dogs and other animals. Humans can pick up the infection by walking barefoot on soil or beaches contaminated with animal feces. The hookworms that cause the condition are small, round blood-sucking worms that infest about 700 million people around the world. Cutaneous larvae migrans occurs most often among children, those who crawl beneath raised buildings, and sunbathers who lie down on wet sand contaminated with hookworm larvae. It most commonly occurs on the feet, legs, hands and buttocks. Cutaneous larva Migrans causes intense pruritus; signs are erythema and papules at the site of entry, with a winding, threadlike subcutaneous trail of reddish-brown inflammation. Diagnosis is by history and clinical appearance. Topical thiabendazole 15% liquid or cream (compounded) bid to tid for 5 days is extremely effective. Oral thiabendazole is not well tolerated and not usually used. Albendazole and ivermectin can be curative and are well tolerated. CLM may be complicated by a self-limiting pulmonary reaction called Löffler's syndrome (patchy pulmonary infiltrates and peripheral blood eosinophilia).

Causes of Cutaneous larva Migrans

Common causes and risk factor's of Cutaneous larva Migrans include the following :

• Ancylostoma tubaeforme, Ancylostoma caninum, Ancylostoma ceylanicum, and Uncinaria stenocephala (ie, dog hookworms).
• Strongyloides myopotami, Strongyloides papillosus, and Strongyloides westeri (found in the small intestine of mammals).
• Capillaria species (ie, whipworms found in rodents, cats, dogs, and poultry).
• Bunostomum phlebotomum (ie, cattle hookworm).
• Hunters.
• Children.
• Sunbathers.
• Anyone with skin contact to sand or soil in warm areas.

Symptoms of Cutaneous larva Migrans

Some common Symptoms of Cutaneous larva Migrans :

• Occasional blister formation along the migratory path.
• Cough .
• Pneumonia.
• Itchy rash.

Treatment of Cutaneous larva Migrans

• Topical or oral thiabendazole may be used in the treatment of this infection for 2 or 3 days.
• Albenza Tablets, Mintezol Chewable Tablets and Stromectol Tablets may also be given for the treatment of Cutaneous larva migrans.
• Other agents, such as albendazole and ivermectin may also be effective.
• People without intestinal symptoms do not need treatment, since the worms will eventually die or be excreted.

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