Abstract
We describe the case of a 32-year-old male patient that sought medical treatment complaining of severe pain in his second and third right-hand fingers. The symptoms had started two hours before. The hypotheses of spider bite, scorpion or insect sting and injury caused by a foreign body were considered in the differential diagnoses. On dermoscopy, two foreign bodies were identified on his skin. After extraction, we concluded that they were wasp stingers.
Dermoscopy; Hemiptera; Hymenoptera; Insects; Insect bites and stings
Male patient, 32 years old, sought treatment in the emergency ward complaining of pain in his second and third right-hand fingers. While handling a stack of bricks - two hours before seeking medical treatment - he felt a stinging pain in his second righthand finger. On dermatological examination, edema of the second finger, metacarpophalangeal region, and the proximal phalanx of his third right-hand finger (Figures 1A and 1B) was observed. The hypotheses of spider bite, scorpion or insect sting and injury caused by foreign bodies were considered. Dermoscopy showed the presence of two brownish foreign bodies in his skin (Figures 1C and 1D). They were extracted and identified as two stingers measuring approximately 2mm each (Figure 2). The patient was advised to avoid moving his hand, apply ice to the affected area and use oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. One hour after the stingers had been removed, he returned to the emergency ward bringing a wasp he had found at the site (Figure 3).
A - Edema in the patient’s second and third right-hand fingers; B - Metacarpophalangeal region showing edema; arrow and circle indicate the area where the stingers were inserted; C,D - Dermoscopy revealing the two stingers
A,B and C - Two stingers measuring approximately 2 mm are seen on dermoscopy; (D) After removal of the stingers, the affected area is seen in detail
A,B - Dorsal view of the insect collected by the patient; C - lateral view (D) Stingers removed from the patient’s skin
Hornets and wasps are insects that belong to the Hymenoptera order. Only the female has a
stinger, since it is a modification of the ovipositor.11. Sühs RB, Somavilla A, Putzke J, Köhler A. Pollen vector wasps
(Hymenoptera, Vespidae) of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae). Rev Bras
Biocienc. 2009;7:138-43. These insects' stings are painful and cause a burning sensation. In more
sensitive individuals, they may cause an anaphylactic reaction, jeopardizing the
performance of routine activities.22. Przybilla B, Ruëff F. Insect stings: clinical features and
management. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2012;109:238-48.
3. Singh S, Mann BK. Insect bite reactions. Indian J Dermatol Venereol
Leprol. 2013;79:151-64.
4. Steen CJ, Carbonaro PA, Schwartz RA. Arthropods in dermatology. J Am
Acad Dermatol. 2004;50:819-42
5. Haddad V Jr, Cardoso JLC. Dermatosis caused by poisonous animals. An
Bras Dermatol. 1999;74:441-7.-66. Haddad V Jr, Cardoso JL, Lupi O, Tyring SK. Tropical dermatology:
Venomous arthropods and human skin: Part I. Insecta. J Am Acad Dermatol.
2012;67:331.e1-14.
REFERENCES
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1Sühs RB, Somavilla A, Putzke J, Köhler A. Pollen vector wasps (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae). Rev Bras Biocienc. 2009;7:138-43.
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2Przybilla B, Ruëff F. Insect stings: clinical features and management. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2012;109:238-48.
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3Singh S, Mann BK. Insect bite reactions. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2013;79:151-64.
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4Steen CJ, Carbonaro PA, Schwartz RA. Arthropods in dermatology. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004;50:819-42
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5Haddad V Jr, Cardoso JLC. Dermatosis caused by poisonous animals. An Bras Dermatol. 1999;74:441-7.
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6Haddad V Jr, Cardoso JL, Lupi O, Tyring SK. Tropical dermatology: Venomous arthropods and human skin: Part I. Insecta. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2012;67:331.e1-14.
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*
Work conducted at Visiaderm Clinic - Ituiutaba (MG), Brazil.
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Financial funding: None
Publication Dates
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Publication in this collection
Jan-Feb 2014
History
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Received
06 Mar 2013 -
Accepted
08 Apr 2013