Lepidopterism Quiz
Check your symptoms and
find possible causes with AI for free
Reviewed By:
Unnati Patel, MD, MSc (Family Medicine)
Dr.Patel serves as Center Medical Director and a Primary Care Physician at Oak Street Health in Arizona. She graduated from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine prior to working in clinical research focused on preventive medicine at the University of Illinois and the University of Nevada. Dr. Patel earned her MSc in Global Health from Georgetown University, during which she worked with the WHO in Sierra Leone and Save the Children in Washington, D.C. She went on to complete her Family Medicine residency in Chicago at Norwegian American Hospital before completing a fellowship in Leadership in Value-based Care in conjunction with the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, where she earned her MBA. Dr. Patel’s interests include health tech and teaching medical students and she currently serves as Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Arizona School of Medicine.
Yukiko Ueda, MD (Dermatology)
Dr. Ueda graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine and trained at the University of Tokyo Medical School. She is currently a clinical assistant professor at the Department of Dermatology, Jichi Medical University, and holds several posts in the dermatology departments at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Komagome Hospital, University of Tokyo, and the Medical Center of Japan Red Cross Society.
Content updated on Apr 22, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
Worried about your symptoms?
Choose one to start our AI Symptom Checker.
It will help us optimize further questions for you.
By starting the symptom checker, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Find another symptom
How Ubie Can Help You
With an easy 3-min questionnaire , Ubie's AI-powered system will generate a free report on possible causes.
Questions are customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
Your symptoms
Our AI
Your report
Your personal report will tell you
✔︎ When to see a doctor
✔︎ What causes your symptoms
✔︎ Treatment information etc.
People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
The skin is itchy and has scratches
Skin itching that worsens at night
Itch is mild
Itching
Insect bites
Scratching the skin
Nighttime itch is worse
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
What is Lepidopterism?
Skin irritation and inflammation caused by "hairy" insects, such as caterpillars, moths, and butterflies.
Typical Symptoms of Lepidopterism
Skin Itching
Bumpy rash that appeared after an insect bite
Insect sting or injury from animals
Bitten by insect, or visited an insect-infested area in the past one week
Skin abnormality
Skin redness or red bumpy rashes
Doctor's Diagnostic Questionson Lepidopterism
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
Is your skin itchy?
Did you get a bumpy rash after an insect bite?
Have you been bitten or stung by bugs or animals?
Have you been bitten by insects or been in an area with lots of insects recently?
Do you have any skin problems?
Treatmentof Lepidopterism
Carefully remove the insect without touching it with bare hands. Use sticky tape to remove any remaining insect "hairs" on the skin. Wash the area with soap and water. Apply ice packs or creams if pain is significant. Antihistamines may be prescribed in some cases.
Think you might have
Lepidopterism
View the symptoms of Lepidopterism
Diseases related to Lepidopterism
References
Henwood BP, MacDonald DM. Caterpillar dermatitis. Clin Exp Dermatol. 1983 Jan;8(1):77-93. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2230.1983.tb01748.x. PMID: 6340867.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2230.1983.tb01748.x
Dunlop K, Freeman S. Caterpillar dermatitis. Australas J Dermatol. 1997 Nov;38(4):193-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-0960.1997.tb01695.x. PMID: 9431713.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1440-0960.1997.tb01695.x
Jadoo AS, Treat JR. Caterpillar dermatitis: A brief report. Pediatr Dermatol. 2020 May;37(3):570-571. doi: 10.1111/pde.14126. Epub 2020 Mar 20. PMID: 32198780.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pde.14126
Chandrasekaran M, Mensah R. Caterpillar dermatitis. Indian Pediatr. 2008 Apr;45(4):307. PMID: 18451450.
https://www.indianpediatrics.net/apr2008/307.pdf
User Testimonials
Reviewed By:
Unnati Patel, MD, MSc (Family Medicine)
Dr.Patel serves as Center Medical Director and a Primary Care Physician at Oak Street Health in Arizona. She graduated from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine prior to working in clinical research focused on preventive medicine at the University of Illinois and the University of Nevada. Dr. Patel earned her MSc in Global Health from Georgetown University, during which she worked with the WHO in Sierra Leone and Save the Children in Washington, D.C. She went on to complete her Family Medicine residency in Chicago at Norwegian American Hospital before completing a fellowship in Leadership in Value-based Care in conjunction with the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, where she earned her MBA. Dr. Patel’s interests include health tech and teaching medical students and she currently serves as Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Arizona School of Medicine.
Yukiko Ueda, MD (Dermatology)
Dr. Ueda graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine and trained at the University of Tokyo Medical School. She is currently a clinical assistant professor at the Department of Dermatology, Jichi Medical University, and holds several posts in the dermatology departments at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Komagome Hospital, University of Tokyo, and the Medical Center of Japan Red Cross Society.
Think you might have
Lepidopterism
Ubie is supervised by 50+ medical experts worldwide
Our symptom checker AI is continuously refined with input from experienced physicians, empowering them to make more accurate diagnoses.
Dale Mueller, MD
Cardiothoracic Surgery, Vascular Surgery
Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Associates
