Dermatitis From Contact With Moths (Genus Hylesia)

Caterpillars and moths

“…Dinehart et al 41 reported that 34 of 35 crewman on an oil tanker were continuously affected with a pruritic eruption stemming from the setae of dead moths and moth parts aboard their ship that had been docked overnight in Caripito, Venezuela, 3 weeks earlier. Similarly, 54 of 55 crewman aboard an oil tanker docked at the port of Caripito were affected in the report by Zaias et al 43 Another offensive moth species is Euproctis bipunctapex. In 1990, 141 inhabitants of a public housing estate in Singapore suffered from a papular urticarial eruption caused by these moths; they had been attracted to the highrise's lighting.…”

Cutaneous lepidopterism: dermatitis from contact with moths of Hylesia metabus (Cramer 1775) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), the causative agent of caripito itch

“…This situation created union conflicts that eventually led to the classification of the condition as a work-related disease. 6,7 Both American 16 and British ships 11 have also been affected after docking at Caripito.…”

Caterpillars and moths

“…In Venezuela, where the moths are called palometa peluda (the little hairy pigeon), 56 the rash is called Caripito itch, named after the port city of Caripito, where numerous outbreaks have been documented. 57,58 Dermatitis may be widespread, and symptoms can continue for weeks after exposure. [56][57][58][59][60] Even international travelers to endemic areas may return home with dermatitis from exposure to Hylesia.…”

“…57,58 Dermatitis may be widespread, and symptoms can continue for weeks after exposure. [56][57][58][59][60] Even international travelers to endemic areas may return home with dermatitis from exposure to Hylesia. 59 In Europe, caterpillars of the browntail moth (Euproctis chrysorrhea) are found from England to the Caucasus Mountains.…”

“…16,115,116 Epidermal necrosis and vasculitis are rarely seen. 57,117,118 Embedded spines from Hylesia moths and caterpillars of the browntail moth (Euproctis chrysorrhea) and the puss caterpillar (Megalopyge opercularis) have been described. 58,117,119 Granulomas with or without embedded caterpillar hairs have been demonstrated in cases of ophthalmia nodosa.…”