Processionary caterpillar dermatitis.

This work is the first description of processionary caterpillar dermatitis in pediatric patients. Seven children were exposed to caterpillar spines of the genus Thamatopoea Wilkinson; Tams, a pine tree caterpillar that is the main causative agent of caterpillar dermatitis in Israel. In all seven patients avoidance of re-exposure caused the symptoms to disappear within a few days. This disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of dermatitis in children in endemic zones.