Oil beetle dermatitisT63.4

Author:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer

All authors of this article

Last updated on: 29.10.2020

Dieser Artikel auf Deutsch

Synonym(s)

lytta vesicatoria; Spanish fly

Requires free registration (medical professionals only)

Please login to access all articles, images, and functions.

Our content is available exclusively to medical professionals. If you have already registered, please login. If you haven't, you can register for free (medical professionals only).


Requires free registration (medical professionals only)

Please complete your registration to access all articles and images.

To gain access, you must complete your registration. You either haven't confirmed your e-mail address or we still need proof that you are a member of the medical profession.

Finish your registration now

DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

Toxic, possibly blistery dermatitis caused by contact with the oil beetle (Meloidae), triggered by the cantharidine produced by the beetle.

Occurrence/EpidemiologyThis section has been translated automatically.

Oil beetles (there are about 210 species in Europe) live especially in warm areas, in dry regions, especially on flowers, leaves or on the ground.

EtiopathogenesisThis section has been translated automatically.

When in danger, oil beetles produce an oily liquid containing the highly toxic cantharidine from pores in the leg joints. Cantharidin is only synthesized by the male beetles. The oil beetle poison protects the animals from natural enemies such as ants and ground beetles. Cantharidine is a strong toxin that causes severe toxic dermatitis on the skin, possibly with blisters and necroses, even after brief contact. The drug (known as "Spanish fly" - actually synonymous with the beetle Lytta vesicatoria) is said to have an erectile-enhancing effect in small doses. In oral doses of 0.03g the poison is already lethal. Dried beetle extracts were formerly used for medical purposes (rheumatic complaints), for the production of the cantharid patch.

Clinical featuresThis section has been translated automatically.

Toxic dermatitis at the contact points.

NaturopathyThis section has been translated automatically.

Cantharis vesicatoria globules are used in homoeopathy for itchy or painful dermatoses: 5 globules every 2 hours. They are also used for other indications (cystitis, gastrointestinal problems, etc.).

Note(s)This section has been translated automatically.

Compare also the "Paederus dermatitis" caused by short-winged beetles, in which beetles from the family Staphylinidae release the toxin "pederin", which is comparable to cantharidine in its mode of action.

LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.

  1. López López D et al (2016) Safety and effectiveness of cantharidine podophylotoxin salicylic acid in the treatment of recalcitrant plantar warts. Dermatol Ther doi: 10.1111/dth.12356.
  2. Torbeck R et al (2014) Cantharidine: a comprehensive review of the clinical literature. Dermatol Online J 20. pii:13030/qt45r512w0.
  3. v. Stebut E (2015) Oil beetle. In travel dermatoses E.v.Stebut (Hrsg) Springer -Verlag Berlin-Heidelberg S 236.

Authors

Last updated on: 29.10.2020