Paederus dermatitis: A case report and review

Paederus dermatitis is a common dermatitis in northern parts of Iran. Clinically, the most common presentation of paederus dermatitis is sudden onset of erythematous plaques with vesicles. The lesions usually affect exposed areas such as face, neck and arms. It is a common dermatitis between residents and tourists in northern provinces of Iran during spring and summer. Preventive measures include typical insect repellents precautions, such as using bed nets, long-sleeve clothing, and avoiding fluorescent lights. If the beetles are found on the skin, brushing them off, rather than crushing them, helps to prevent the dermatitis. Treatment includes washing the affected area immidiatley, applying cold and wet compresses, and in some cases, treatment with antibiotics, steroids, and antihistamines. Herein, we report a paederus dermatitis case in a 9-year old Kashani boy who had traveled to northern Iran as a tourist. We also review the related literature.