Caterpillar Dermatitis Caused by Euproctis similis.
- Author:
Min Gu KIM
1
;
Nark Kyoung RHO
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Caterpillar dermatitis;
Euproctis similis;
Lepidopterism;
Moth dermatitis;
Yellow-tail moth
- MeSH:
China;
Dermatitis*;
Europe;
Hair;
Humans;
Japan;
Korea;
Military Personnel;
Moths
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
2006;44(8):984-987
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
The yellow-tail moth Euproctis similis, belongs to the genus Euproctis (Lymantriidae) and has a wide distribution within Korea, Japan, China and Europe. Contact with the 'urticating hairs' of the Euproctis similis caterpillar induces dermatitis due to the combination of mechanical and chemical mechanisms. Clinically, patients with caterpillar dermatitis show wheals in the early stage and/or erythematous papules in the late stage after contact with the spicules. We report 5 young soldiers who developed pruritic wheals and erythematous papules on their upper back after contact with the hairs of the Euproctis similis caterpillar.
