Creeping eruption (hookworm larvae in the skin)

Overview

Larvae from dog and cat hookworms enter skin that touches contaminated sand or soil.

The track moves a few millimeters to centimeters a day.

Symptoms

Common signs:

• Itchy, winding red line
• Winding, itchy red line that moves under the skin

Less common

• Blisters

When to get medical care

Causes

Animal hookworms.

Does it spread or run in families?

• Yes, it can spread from person to person.
• How it spreads: soil or going in through bare skin.
• Don't share towels, hats, combs, or bedding while it's being treated.

Who is more likely to get it

• Beach travel

Diagnosis

Diagnosis by looking.

Treatment

Treat.

Self-care

• Don't scratch
• Wear shoes on beaches
• Use a towel on sand

Medicines

Medicines that may help:

OwieClear doesn't give doses: follow the label or your healthcare professional. Medicine names here are examples, not a full list.

Prevention

To prevent:

• Wear shoes on sand

Which doctor treats this

• Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
• They may send you to a dermatologist (skin doctor).

Back to school, work, or sports

• Stay home until you've had no fever for 24 hours without fever medicine and you're feeling better.
• For the next 5 days, wash hands often and wear a mask around others.

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

• Travelers to tropical beaches: Most common.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
• Some skin medicines, like isotretinoin and retinoid creams, aren't safe in pregnancy.
• Some infections can pass to the baby during pregnancy or birth. Tell your provider if you've been exposed.
• Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
• Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
• Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

Outlook

Curable.

Getting ready for your visit

Bring a list of your symptoms and medicines.

What to bring

• A list of your medicines and supplements
• Notes on when symptoms started and what makes them better or worse

Questions to ask

• What's causing my symptoms?
• What treatment do you recommend?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Creeping eruption (hookworm larvae in the skin)