Caterpillar Dermatitis Quiz

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Reviewed By:

Unnati Patel, MD, MSc

Unnati Patel, MD, MSc (Primary Care Physician)

Dr Patel graduated from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine. She worked in clinical research at the University of Illinois in Chicago and University of Nevada in Las Vegas focused on culturally adapted health interventions for preventive medicine in the community setting. Received her Master's of Science in Global Health (concentration in Health Policy) from Georgetown University, during which she worked with the WHO in Sierra Leone and Save the Children in Washington, D.C. Unnati went on to complete her family medicine residency in Chicago, Illinois at Norwegian American Hospital. | | She is currently working as a primary care physician in the city of Chicago and completing her Master's of Business Administration at the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management and Fellowship in Leadership in Value-Based Care.

Yukiko Ueda, MD

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.

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With an easy 3-min questionnaire, Ubie's AI-powered system will generate a free report on possible causes.

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  • Caterpillar dermatitis as well as similar diseases can be checked at the same time.

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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

  • Red rash

  • Itch is mild

  • Itching

  • Leg rash

  • Pink rash

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Learn more about Caterpillar dermatitis

Content updated on Sep 20, 2022

What is caterpillar dermatitis?

Skin irritation and inflammation caused by "hairy" insects, such as caterpillars, moths, and butterflies.

Symptoms of caterpillar dermatitis

  • Skin Itching

  • Skin redness or red bumpy rashes

  • Skin abnormality

  • Bitten by insect, or visited an insect-infested area in the past one week

Questions your doctor may ask to check for caterpillar dermatitis

Your doctor may ask these questions to diagnose caterpillar dermatitis

  • Do you have itchy skin?

  • Do you have red skin or red spots on the skin?

  • Do you have any skin problems?

  • Have you had an insect bite over past week or have you gone to a place with many insects?

Treatment for caterpillar dermatitis

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.

View the symptoms of Caterpillar dermatitis

  • Itchy skin

  • Red skin

  • Abnormal skin

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

Unnati Patel, MD, MSc (Primary Care Physician)

Dr Patel graduated from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine. She worked in clinical research at the University of Illinois in Chicago and University of Nevada in Las Vegas focused on culturally adapted health interventions for preventive medicine in the community setting. Received her Master's of Science in Global Health (concentration in Health Policy) from Georgetown University, during which she worked with the WHO in Sierra Leone and Save the Children in Washington, D.C. Unnati went on to complete her family medicine residency in Chicago, Illinois at Norwegian American Hospital. | | She is currently working as a primary care physician in the city of Chicago and completing her Master's of Business Administration at the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management and Fellowship in Leadership in Value-Based Care.

Yukiko Ueda, MD

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.

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