BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuCreeping eruptionParasite infection - hookworm; Cutaneous larvae migrans; Zoonotic hookworm; Ancylostoma caninum; Ancylostoma braziliensis; Bunostomum phlebotomum; Uncinaria stenocephala Creeping eruption is a human infection with dog or cat hookworm larvae (immature worms).HookwormHookworm infection is caused by roundworms. The disease affects the small intestine and lungs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Hookworm eggs are found in the stool of infected dogs and cats. When the eggs hatch, the larvae can infest soil and vegetation.When you come into contact with this infested soil, the larvae can burrow into your skin. They cause an intense inflammatory response that leads to a rash and severe itching.Inflammatory responseThe immune response is how your body recognizes and defends itself against bacteria, viruses, and substances that appear foreign and harmful....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article RashRashes involve changes in the color, feeling or texture of your skin.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Creeping eruption is more common in countries with warm climates. In the United States, the Southeast has the highest rates of infection. The main risk factor for this disease is contact with damp, sandy soil that has been contaminated with infected cat or dog stool. More children than adults become infected. Symptoms Symptoms of creeping eruption include:Blisters BlistersA vesicle is a small fluid-filled blister on the skin.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Itching, may be more severe at night Raised, snakelike tracks in the skin that may spread over time, usually about 1 cm (less than one half inch) per day, usually on the feet and legs (severe infections may cause several tracks) Exams and Tests Your health care provider can often diagnose this condition by looking at your skin. In rare cases, a skin biopsy is done to rule out other conditions. In very rare cases, a blood test is done to see if you have increased eosinophils (a type of white blood cell).Skin biopsyA skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined under a microscope. The skin is tested to look for skin conditi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article EosinophilsAn absolute eosinophil count is a blood test that measures the number of one type of white blood cells called eosinophils. Eosinophils become active...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Anti-parasitic medicines may be used to treat the infection. Outlook (Prognosis) Creeping eruption often goes away by itself over weeks to months. Treatment with anti-parasitic medicines helps the infection go away more quickly. Possible Complications Creeping eruption may lead to these complications:Bacterial skin infections caused by scratching Spread of the infection through the bloodstream to the lungs or small intestine (rare) When to Contact a Medical Professional Make an appointment with your provider if you or your child have skin sores that are: Snake-like Itchy Moving from one area to another Prevention Public sanitation and deworming of dogs and cats have decreased hookworm infestation in the United States.Hookworm larvae often enter the body through bare feet, so wearing shoes in areas where hookworm infestations are known to occur helps prevent infection.Open ReferencesReferencesDinulos JGH. Infestations and bites. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 15.Nash TE. Visceral larva migrans and other uncommon helminth infections. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 290.AllVideoImagesTogHookworm - mouth of the organism - illustration This photograph shows the front section of the hookworm, and the mouth parts which it uses to feed. The cutting plates, used to attach to the lining of the intestine where they suck blood for nourishment, are visible. Three species of hookworm cause infection in the United States, including this species, Necator americanus. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)Hookworm - mouth of the organismillustrationHookworm - close-up of the organism - illustration This is the mouth part of the hookworm Ancylostoma duodenale. The hookworm uses sharp, curved cutting plates to attach to the lining of the intestine where it sucks blood for nourishment. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)Hookworm - close-up of the organismillustrationHookworm - Ancylostoma caninum - illustration This is a photograph of a hookworm on the lining of the intestine. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.) Hookworm - Ancylostoma caninumillustrationCutaneous larva migrans - illustration Cutaneous larva migrans is a condition that occurs when dog or cat hookworm larvae migrate through the skin. The migration produces a raised, red, twisting (serpiginous) pattern on the skin.Cutaneous larva migransillustrationHookworm - mouth of the organism - illustration This photograph shows the front section of the hookworm, and the mouth parts which it uses to feed. The cutting plates, used to attach to the lining of the intestine where they suck blood for nourishment, are visible. Three species of hookworm cause infection in the United States, including this species, Necator americanus. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)Hookworm - mouth of the organismillustrationHookworm - close-up of the organism - illustration This is the mouth part of the hookworm Ancylostoma duodenale. The hookworm uses sharp, curved cutting plates to attach to the lining of the intestine where it sucks blood for nourishment. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)Hookworm - close-up of the organismillustrationHookworm - Ancylostoma caninum - illustration This is a photograph of a hookworm on the lining of the intestine. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.) Hookworm - Ancylostoma caninumillustrationCutaneous larva migrans - illustration Cutaneous larva migrans is a condition that occurs when dog or cat hookworm larvae migrate through the skin. The migration produces a raised, red, twisting (serpiginous) pattern on the skin.Cutaneous larva migransillustrationRelated Information Rashes(Symptoms)Hookworm infection(Condition)Immune response(Special Topic) Review Date: 12/4/2022 Reviewed By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. 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Creeping eruptionParasite infection - hookworm; Cutaneous larvae migrans; Zoonotic hookworm; Ancylostoma caninum; Ancylostoma braziliensis; Bunostomum phlebotomum; Uncinaria stenocephala Creeping eruption is a human infection with dog or cat hookworm larvae (immature worms).HookwormHookworm infection is caused by roundworms. The disease affects the small intestine and lungs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Hookworm eggs are found in the stool of infected dogs and cats. When the eggs hatch, the larvae can infest soil and vegetation.When you come into contact with this infested soil, the larvae can burrow into your skin. They cause an intense inflammatory response that leads to a rash and severe itching.Inflammatory responseThe immune response is how your body recognizes and defends itself against bacteria, viruses, and substances that appear foreign and harmful....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article RashRashes involve changes in the color, feeling or texture of your skin.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Creeping eruption is more common in countries with warm climates. In the United States, the Southeast has the highest rates of infection. The main risk factor for this disease is contact with damp, sandy soil that has been contaminated with infected cat or dog stool. More children than adults become infected. Symptoms Symptoms of creeping eruption include:Blisters BlistersA vesicle is a small fluid-filled blister on the skin.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Itching, may be more severe at night Raised, snakelike tracks in the skin that may spread over time, usually about 1 cm (less than one half inch) per day, usually on the feet and legs (severe infections may cause several tracks) Exams and Tests Your health care provider can often diagnose this condition by looking at your skin. In rare cases, a skin biopsy is done to rule out other conditions. In very rare cases, a blood test is done to see if you have increased eosinophils (a type of white blood cell).Skin biopsyA skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined under a microscope. The skin is tested to look for skin conditi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article EosinophilsAn absolute eosinophil count is a blood test that measures the number of one type of white blood cells called eosinophils. Eosinophils become active...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Anti-parasitic medicines may be used to treat the infection. Outlook (Prognosis) Creeping eruption often goes away by itself over weeks to months. Treatment with anti-parasitic medicines helps the infection go away more quickly. Possible Complications Creeping eruption may lead to these complications:Bacterial skin infections caused by scratching Spread of the infection through the bloodstream to the lungs or small intestine (rare) When to Contact a Medical Professional Make an appointment with your provider if you or your child have skin sores that are: Snake-like Itchy Moving from one area to another Prevention Public sanitation and deworming of dogs and cats have decreased hookworm infestation in the United States.Hookworm larvae often enter the body through bare feet, so wearing shoes in areas where hookworm infestations are known to occur helps prevent infection.Open ReferencesReferencesDinulos JGH. Infestations and bites. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 15.Nash TE. Visceral larva migrans and other uncommon helminth infections. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 290.