Contact irritant dermatitis in Kenya

Kenya is one of the British Army's main training areas outside of the UK and the flora and fauna present the physicians with several challenges. A 22 year old infantry soldier presented with a vesicular, linear painful rash across his chest caused by the chemical excreted from the Staphylinid or rove beetle, known locally as the Nairobi fly. Treatment included topical antibiotic and steroid creams to good effect. This report highlights the recognition, treatment and complications of the Nairobi Fly.