Decreases ATP production in worm, causing energy depletion, immobilization, and finally, death. Also, with less common causes due to human nematodes, does not prevent development of systemic illness or eliminate intestinal reservoir. Oral thiabendazole is only FDA-approved drug for treatment of cutaneous larva migrans. Therapy with oral formulation has been fraught with adverse effects. Pregnancy C - Safety for use during pregnancy has not been established.
Prevention is critical.
Advise patients to avoid sitting, lying, or walking barefoot on wet soil or sand. Advise individuals to cover the ground with an impenetrable material when sitting or lying. Severely excoriated lesions causing secondary infection with Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes may lead to edema, making the tracks less visible. Heavy infestation of larvae may lead to L ffler syndrome, which is characterized by pulmonary infiltrates and eosinophilia. Larvae localized to the skin may elicit a generalized sensitization with soluble antigens in the lung to cause the pulmonary infiltrates.