Larva currens | |
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Other names | Nutria itch [1] |
Specialty | Dermatology |
Larva currens (Latin for racing larva), is an itchy skin condition caused by infections with Strongyloides stercoralis. [2] [3]
It is caused by the intradermal migration of strongyloides and distinguished from cutaneous larva migrans (caused by hookworm) by its rapid migration, perianal involvement and wide band of urticaria. [4]
Strongyloides stercoralis is a human pathogenic parasitic roundworm causing the disease strongyloidiasis. Its common name in the US is threadworm. In the UK and Australia, however, the term threadworm can also refer to nematodes of the genus Enterobius, otherwise known as pinworms.
A papule is a small, well-defined bump in the skin. It may have a rounded, pointed or flat top, and may have a dip. It can appear with a stalk, be thread-like or look warty. It can be soft or firm and its surface may be rough or smooth. Some have crusts or scales. A papule can be flesh colored, yellow, white, brown, red, blue or purplish. There may be just one or many, and they may occur irregularly in different parts of the body or appear in clusters. It does not contain fluid but may progress to a pustule or vesicle. A papule is smaller than a nodule; it can be as tiny as a pinhead and is typically less than 1 cm in width, according to some sources, and 0.5 cm according to others. When merged together, it appears as a plaque.
Strongyloidiasis is a human parasitic disease caused by the nematode called Strongyloides stercoralis, or sometimes the closely related S. fülleborni. These helminths belong to a group of nematodes called roundworms. These intestinal worms can cause a number of symptoms in people, principally skin symptoms, abdominal pain, diarrhea and weight loss, but also many other specific and vague symptoms in disseminated disease, and severe life-threatening conditions through hyperinfection. In some people, particularly those who require corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medication, Strongyloides can cause a hyperinfection syndrome that can lead to death if untreated. The diagnosis is made by blood and stool tests. The medication ivermectin is widely used to treat strongyloidiasis.
Cutaneous larva migrans is a skin disease in humans, caused by the larvae of various nematode parasites of the hookworm family (Ancylostomatidae). The parasites live in the intestines of dogs, cats, and wild animals; they should not be confused with other members of the hookworm family for which humans are definitive hosts, namely Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus.
Blaschko's lines, also called the lines of Blaschko, are lines of normal cell development in the skin. These lines are only visible in those with a mosaic skin condition or in chimeras where different cell lines contain different genes. These lines may express different amounts of melanin, or become visible due to a differing susceptibility to disease. In such individuals, they can become apparent as whorls, patches, streaks or lines in a linear or segmental distribution over the skin. They follow a V shape over the back, S-shaped whirls over the chest and sides, and wavy shapes on the head. Not all mosaic skin conditions follow Blaschko's lines.
The Asboe-Hansen sign refers to the extension of a large blister to adjacent unblistered skin when pressure is put on the top of it. It is seen along with Nikolsky's sign, both used to assess the severity of some blistering diseases such as pemphigus vulgaris and severe bullous drug reactions.
Erythema gyratum repens is a skin condition that has a strong association with internal cancers. It characteristically presents with red wavy lines, generally in older adults. These regular whirly rings rapidly and repetitively appear within existing ones, giving the impression that the rash is moving. The resulting pattern is similar to wood grain. There is often an intense itch and scale over the leading edge, which may be slightly raised.
Keratitis–ichthyosis–deafness syndrome, also known as ichthyosiform erythroderma, corneal involvement, and deafness, presents at birth/infancy and is characterized by progressive corneal opacification, either mild generalized hyperkeratosis or discrete erythematous plaques, and neurosensory deafness.
Pincer nails are a toenail disorder in which the lateral edges of the nail slowly approach one another, compressing the nailbed and underlying dermis. It occurs less often in the fingernails than toenails, and there usually are no symptoms.
Reticular pigmented anomaly of the flexures is a fibrous anomaly of the flexures or bending parts of the axillae, neck and inframammary/sternal areas. It is an autosomal-dominant pigmentary disorder that may appear in adolescence or adulthood. This condition is due to mutations in structural/desmosomal proteins found within stratified squamous epithelium.
IgA pemphigus is a subtype of pemphigus with two distinct forms:
Pressure urticaria is a physical urticaria caused by pressure applied to the skin, and is characterized by the development of swelling and pain that usually occurs 3 to 12 hours after local pressure has been applied.
Cutaneous small-vessel vasculitis (CSVV), is inflammation of small blood vessels, usually accompanied by small lumps beneath the skin. The condition is also known as hypersensitivity vasculitis, cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis, hypersensitivity angiitis, cutaneous leukocytoclastic angiitis, cutaneous necrotizing vasculitis and cutaneous necrotizing venulitis,
Elephantiasis nostras, is a disease that usually affects the lower legs or scrotum. Swelling is accompanied by rough nodules or wart-like plaques on the skin. If the disease is not treated, it eventually results in pain and immobility.
Ground itch refers to the inflammatory reaction resulting from certain helminthic invasions into the skin.
Cutaneous lymphoid hyperplasia refers to a groups of benign cutaneous disorders characterized by collections of lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells in the skin. Conditions included in this groups are: