Cutaneous loxoscelism caused by the bite of Loxosceles spp in Cesar, Colombia. Case Report

Abstract

Loxoscelism is a toxic exposure due to the bite of Loxosceles spiders, whose venom is cytotoxic, proteolytic and dermonecrotic; classified as one of the most dangerous because it contains hyaluronidase, sphingomyelinase-D and levarterenol. It is important to make an early diagnosis in order to administer the antidote to avoid sequelae and to evaluate whether the patient has visceral loxoscelism. We present the case of a patient who was admitted with pruritic erythema in the posterior region of the left thigh, which evolved into a blister and later into an ulcer; cutaneous loxoscelism was diagnosed late, so it was not possible to administer the antidote and a debridement plus wound healing was chosen, leading to a slow evolution with sequelae. It is important to improve the diagnosis of loxoscelism and to consider it as a differential diagnosis of acute idiopathic ulcer, as well as to promote the treatment to prevent sequelae.