Creeping eruption

Alternative names:

cutaneous larvae migrans

Treatment:

Topical thiabendazole applied to the skin over the area of larval migration is the treatment of choice.

Expectations (prognosis):

Creeping eruption is normally a self-limited infection that clears over a period of weeks to months. When the eruption is caused by the human hookworm (rather than animal hookworms), a stool sample should be obtained to rule out the presence of intestinal hookworms in the affected people. People with intestinal hookworm should be treated systemically.

Complications:

• discomfort
• secondary skin infections caused by scratching

Calling your health care provider:

You have been exposed and show signs of creeping eruption.