Parasitosis cutáneas y loxoscelismo / Cutaneous parasitosis and loxoscelism

ABSTRACT

Ectoparasitosis are skin disorders caused by animal parasites living on the body surface. Scabies, pediculosis capitis, phthiriasis and demodecidosis are common skin infections in Chile. Worldwide, they are among the most frequent dermatoses, particularly in infancy and childhood. At present, effective treatments are available, however, some of the present drugsare toxic and some parasites are becoming resistant to common antiparasitic treatment. Loxoscelism, on the other hand, is caused by the bite of Loxosceles spiders, world-widedistributed, affects individuals of all ages, it may present two clinical forms cutaneous loxoscelism (CL) and viscerocutaneous loxoscelism (VCL). The cutaneous surface of limbs and face are the most frequently affected areas by CL. Local clinical manifestations are pain, edema and livedoid plaque, most of wich evolve into a necrotic scar in CL, whereas hematuria, hemoglobinuria, jaundice, fever and sensorial involvement characterise VCL. Spider bite continues to be a controversial subject worldwide and its treatment may be controversial. Physicians should be aware of this disease entity and its complications. This article summarises the therapeutically approach against these infections.