Morphological and Clinical Patterns of Paederus Dermatitis

Background The objective of the present study was to describe the morphological and clinical patterns of paederus dermatitis (PD). Methodology This retrospective case series was conducted in the outpatient department of the Department of Dermatology, Srinivasan Medical College and Hospital, Trichy, Tamil Nadu, between June 2023 and August 2023 among patients with a clinical diagnosis of PD. Results This study included a total of 10 patients. The mean (SD) age of the patients was 19.4 (1.9) years. More than half of the patients (60.0%) were males. Of the 10 patients included, four (40.0%) were from rural areas, three (30.0%) were from urban areas, and three (30.0%) were from semi-urban areas. The maximum number of cases was reported between June and September. The most common presenting complaint was a burning sensation in 80.0% of the patients, followed by pain in 80.0% and blisters in 20.0% of the patients. The mean (SD) duration of the lesion was 4.2 (1.3) days. Regarding the clinical pattern of lesions, linear lesions were the most common (40.0%), followed by erythematous lesions with central gray area in 30.0%, kissing lesions in 20.0%, and burnt appearance in 10.0% of the lesions. Nearly half of the patients presented with lesions in the face (40.0%), the most common site in the present study, followed by lesions in the leg (20.0%), and lesions in the axilla, chest, arm, and back (10.0% each). Conclusions Understanding the epidemiology and clinical manifestations of this condition is crucial for accurate diagnosis, timely management, and public health interventions aimed at preventing Paederus beetle-related dermatitis.