Carpet beetle dermatitis mimicking bullous impetigo

Pediatr Dermatol. 2021 Jan;38(1):329-331. doi: 10.1111/pde.14453. Epub 2020 Nov 27.

Abstract

A 13-year-old female patient presented with a 3-month history of recurrent blisters, which ruptured into multiple superficial erosions with overlying crust located on the face, neck, and shoulder. Treatment for presumed bullous impetigo showed no benefit. Samples collected from the patient's home revealed the presence of numerous carpet beetles in a wool rug. Carpet beetle dermatitis resembles papular urticaria but may occasionally present as skin lesions resembling bullous impetigo.

Keywords: carpet beetle; insect hypersensitivity; urticaria.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Animals
  • Coleoptera*
  • Dermatitis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Impetigo* / diagnosis
  • Impetigo* / drug therapy
  • Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous* / diagnosis
  • Urticaria*