Systemic manifestations of erucism: a case report.

Larvae of the caterpillar Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni are widely distributed in pine groves throughout Israel. Erucism is defined as urtication by Lepidoptera larvae. Both irritating effects on contact with skin and eyes and toxic effects on ingestion have been described after exposure to several species of Lepidoptera. We report the case of a 4-year-old child who vomited repeatedly and developed symmetrical swelling of both hands after touching a larva of Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni.