[Cameroon swelling; infection by the filaria Loa loa]

Recurrent skin edemata due to an infestation with the filaria Loa loa are called Cameroon or Calabar swellings. These are tense elastic, circumscribed, indolent swellings, which are just slightly red coloured and disappear within 24 to 48 hours. Intervals of several weeks or months may occur. One should think of Loa loa disease seeing travellers return from Loa endemic areas (West Africa) with recurrent, transitory edema and eosinophilia. The stay in these areas may have been several years before! Treatment and prophylaxis: Diethylcarbamazine.