Cutaneous larva migrans Preview Cutaneous larva migrans is a condition that occurs when dog or cat hookworm larvae migrate through the skin. Cutaneous larva migrans caused by the larvae of animal hookworms is the most frequent skin disease among travelers returning from tropical countries. You can become infected by direct contact with contaminated soil, generally through walking barefoot, or accidentally swallowing contaminated soil.
Hookworms have a complex life cycle that begins and ends in the small intestine.
Hookworm eggs require warm, moist, shaded soil to hatch into larvae. People who have direct contact with soil that contains feces in areas where hookworm is common are at high risk of infection. Since transmission of hookworm infection requires development of the larvae in soil, hookworm cannot be spread person to person. Contact among children in institutional or child care settings should not increase the risk of infection. Do not walk barefoot or contact the soil with bare hands in areas where hookworm is common or there is likely to be feces in the soil or sand.