## Overview Habronemiasis, or summer sores, is a seasonal parasitic skin disease caused by larvae of Habronema stomach worms deposited by flies into wounds or moist skin. The larvae cannot complete their life cycle and provoke intense granulomatous inflammation. Lesions are pruritic, non-healing, and contain yellow calcified granules. They commonly appear on the sheath, medial canthus, lower legs, and wounds, and typically regress in winter. ## Causes Habronema larvae deposited by house or stable flies into damaged skin. ## Diagnosis Clinical appearance and seasonal pattern. Biopsy shows eosinophilic granulomas with larvae or mineralized debris. Differential includes sarcoid, squamous cell carcinoma, and proud flesh. ## Treatment Ivermectin or moxidectin systemically, topical ivermectin or corticosteroids, and surgical debulking of large lesions. Fly control is essential. Lesions often recur annually. ## Recovery and Prognosis Good with treatment, but recurrence each summer is common without rigorous fly control. ## Prevention Effective fly control, prompt wound care, and regular deworming.
non-healing reddish-brown granulomatous lesions; yellow sulfur granules; intense itching; common on sheath, medial canthus, legs, and wounds; seasonal
## Overview Habronemiasis, or summer sores, is a seasonal parasitic skin disease caused by larvae of Habronema stomach worms deposited by flies into wounds or moist skin. The larvae cannot complete their life cycle and provoke intense granulomatous inflammation. Lesions are pruritic, non-healing, and contain yellow calcified granules. They commonly appear on the sheath, medial canthus, lower legs, and wounds, and typically regress in winter. ## Causes Habronema larvae deposited by house or stable flies into damaged skin. ## Diagnosis Clinical appearance and seasonal pattern. Biopsy shows eosinophilic granulomas with larvae or mineralized debris. Differential includes sarcoid, squamous cell carcinoma, and proud flesh. ## Treatment Ivermectin or moxidectin systemically, topical ivermectin or corticosteroids, and surgical debulking of large lesions. Fly control is essential. Lesions often recur annually. ## Recovery and Prognosis Good with treatment, but recurrence each summer is common without rigorous fly control. ## Prevention Effective fly control, prompt wound care, and regular deworming.
non-healing reddish-brown granulomatous lesions; yellow sulfur granules; intense itching; common on sheath, medial canthus, legs, and wounds; seasonal