Skin Reactions to Pine Processionary Caterpillar Thaumetopoea pityocampa Schiff

Pine caterpillar, Thaumetopoea pityocampa Schiff, is a phyto- and xylophagous lepidopteran, responsible for the delay in the growth or the death of various types of pines. Besides nature damage, pine caterpillar causes dermatological reactions in humans by contact with its irritating larvae hairs. A...

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Main Authors: Domenico Bonamonte, Caterina Foti, Michelangelo Vestita, Gianni Angelini
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2013-01-01
Series:The Scientific World Journal
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/867431
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author Domenico Bonamonte
Caterina Foti
Michelangelo Vestita
Gianni Angelini
author_facet Domenico Bonamonte
Caterina Foti
Michelangelo Vestita
Gianni Angelini
author_sort Domenico Bonamonte
collection DOAJ
description Pine caterpillar, Thaumetopoea pityocampa Schiff, is a phyto- and xylophagous lepidopteran, responsible for the delay in the growth or the death of various types of pines. Besides nature damage, pine caterpillar causes dermatological reactions in humans by contact with its irritating larvae hairs. Although the dermatitis occurs among outdoor professionals, it is primarily extraprofessional. Contamination generally occurs in pinewoods, rarely in cities. Means of contamination comprise direct contact with the nest or the processional caterpillar and indirect contact with air dispersed hairs. The dermatitis is generally observed in late spring and particularly from April to June, among campers and tourers. The eruption has its onset 1–12 hours after contact with the hairs and presents with intense and continuous itching. Morphologically, it is strophulus-like and consists of papulous, excoriated, and pinkish lesions on an oedematous base. Diagnosis is usually straightforward. The pathogenetic mechanism of the affection is mechanical, pharmacological, and allergic in nature. Besides skin, T. pityocampa Schiff can involve the eyes and rarely the airways. Despite the considerable damages to humans and nature, pine caterpillar infestation is an underestimated problem; medical literature lists few studies, and often relevant information is referred to local media and popular wisdom.
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series The Scientific World Journal
spelling doaj-art-acb7824433b84f27a3ed1937499c40ce2025-02-03T06:00:07ZengWileyThe Scientific World Journal1537-744X2013-01-01201310.1155/2013/867431867431Skin Reactions to Pine Processionary Caterpillar Thaumetopoea pityocampa SchiffDomenico Bonamonte0Caterina Foti1Michelangelo Vestita2Gianni Angelini3Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Section of Dermatology, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 1, 70124 Bari, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Section of Dermatology, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 1, 70124 Bari, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Section of Dermatology, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 1, 70124 Bari, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Section of Dermatology, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 1, 70124 Bari, ItalyPine caterpillar, Thaumetopoea pityocampa Schiff, is a phyto- and xylophagous lepidopteran, responsible for the delay in the growth or the death of various types of pines. Besides nature damage, pine caterpillar causes dermatological reactions in humans by contact with its irritating larvae hairs. Although the dermatitis occurs among outdoor professionals, it is primarily extraprofessional. Contamination generally occurs in pinewoods, rarely in cities. Means of contamination comprise direct contact with the nest or the processional caterpillar and indirect contact with air dispersed hairs. The dermatitis is generally observed in late spring and particularly from April to June, among campers and tourers. The eruption has its onset 1–12 hours after contact with the hairs and presents with intense and continuous itching. Morphologically, it is strophulus-like and consists of papulous, excoriated, and pinkish lesions on an oedematous base. Diagnosis is usually straightforward. The pathogenetic mechanism of the affection is mechanical, pharmacological, and allergic in nature. Besides skin, T. pityocampa Schiff can involve the eyes and rarely the airways. Despite the considerable damages to humans and nature, pine caterpillar infestation is an underestimated problem; medical literature lists few studies, and often relevant information is referred to local media and popular wisdom.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/867431
spellingShingle Domenico Bonamonte
Caterina Foti
Michelangelo Vestita
Gianni Angelini
Skin Reactions to Pine Processionary Caterpillar Thaumetopoea pityocampa Schiff
The Scientific World Journal
title Skin Reactions to Pine Processionary Caterpillar Thaumetopoea pityocampa Schiff
title_full Skin Reactions to Pine Processionary Caterpillar Thaumetopoea pityocampa Schiff
title_fullStr Skin Reactions to Pine Processionary Caterpillar Thaumetopoea pityocampa Schiff
title_full_unstemmed Skin Reactions to Pine Processionary Caterpillar Thaumetopoea pityocampa Schiff
title_short Skin Reactions to Pine Processionary Caterpillar Thaumetopoea pityocampa Schiff
title_sort skin reactions to pine processionary caterpillar thaumetopoea pityocampa schiff
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/867431
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