Bullous cutaneous larva migrans: an atypical presentation

• Main Authors: Abdullah, Fa’iza, Yusoff, Yuhin Asadulhaq
• Format: Article
• Language: English; English
• Published: Malaysian Medical Association 2024
• Subjects: R Medicine (General); RA Public aspects of medicine; RC Internal medicine
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/112489/3/112489_Bullous%20cutaneous%20larva%20migrans.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/112489/1/MJM%20Case%20Reports%20Journal%20-%20Vol%203%20No%201%2C%20April%202024.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/112489/; https://mjmcasereports.org/articles/2024/v3n1/bullous-cutaneous-larva-migrans.pdf

Migratory, erythematous, serpiginous skin lesions of cutaneous larva migrans caused by parasitic hookworms is a typical dermatological case faced by primary care clinicians. The condition spreads through direct contact with soil contaminated with hookworm larvae, particularly in tropical and subtropical climates. The classical clinical features of the infection are intense pruritus and serpiginous skin lesion, primarily occur in the lower limbs. Nevertheless, it can present with atypical features such as papular eruption, nodules and bullae that may cause confusion, misdiagnosis and subsequently delayed treatment. Although cutaneous larva migrans can naturally resolve within weeks, early recognition and prompt treatment with effective anti-helminthic medication is recommended to rapidly alleviate the symptom of severe itchiness, prevent excoriation due to excessive scratching, which may lead to secondary bacterial infection and even Loeffler syndrome. We report a case of cutaneous larva migrans in a woman who developed a rare blistering skin lesion following a short vacation to a beach.