What’s Eating You? Carpet Beetles (Dermestidae)

  • Author(s): Johnson, Amy G.; Rohr, Bethany R.
  • Title:
    What’s Eating You? Carpet Beetles (Dermestidae)
  • Journal Title: Cutis
  • DOI: 10.12788/cutis.0979
  • URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.12788/cutis.0979
  • Volume: 113
  • Issue: 3
  • Date: 2024-03-01
  • Abstract:
    Carpet beetle larvae of the family Dermestidae have been documented to cause both acute and delayed hypersensitivity reactions in susceptible individuals. These larvae have specialized horizontal rows of spear-shaped hairs called hastisetae, which detach easily into the surrounding environment and are small enough to travel by air. Exposure to hastisetae has been tied to adverse effects ranging from dermatitis to rhinoconjunctivitis and acute asthma, with treatment being mostly empiric and symptom based. Due to the pervasiveness of carpet beetles in homes, improved awareness of dermestid-induced manifestations is valuable for clinicians.
  • Document Type: Journal Article
  • Publisher: Frontline Medical Communications, Inc.

Links & Files

Not cited in World Catalogue of Dermestidae (J. Hava, 2025)
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