Demodicosis in an immunocompetent pediatric patient related to the use of corticosteroids

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29176/30284163.2056

Keywords:

Demodicosis, Demodex, topical corticosteroids

Abstract

Demodicosis is a rare infestation in children, primarily described in immunosuppressed infants (HIV, leukemias, and Langerhans cell histiocytosis under immunosuppressive treatment).
Cases in immunocompetent children are much rarer, and some have been associated with the use of potent topical corticosteroids.

We present the case of a 5-year-old immunocompetent female patient who, after applying methylprednisolone aceponate cream for 3 weeks, developed numerous erythematous plaques with pustules on her face. A 20% KOH examination revealed numerous Demodex mites. Treatment with topical ivermectin and oral erythromycin was initiated, showing excellent results by the second week of treatment.

Author Biographies

Italo Valero Román, Hospital Nacional Dos de Mayo

Médico residente, Hospital Nacional Dos de Mayo

Felipe Velásquez-Vaderrama, Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño Breña

Medico asistente, Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño Breña.

Rosario Torres-Ibérico, Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño Breña

Medico asistente, Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño Breña.

Marlyn Whitney Aguilar Huamán, Hospital Regional Docente de Cajamarca

Médico dermatólogo, Hospital Regional Docente de Cajamarca.

References

Hsu, C.-K., Hsu, M. M.-L., & Lee, J. Y.-Y. (2009). Demodicosis: A clinicopathological study. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 60(3), 453-462. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2008.10.058

Rusiecka-Ziółkowska, J., Nokiel, M., & Fleischer, M. (2014). Demodex – An Old Pathogen or a New One? Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 23(2), 295-298. https://doi.org/10.17219/acem/37081

Douglas, A., & Zaenglein, A. L. (2019). A case series of demodicosis in children. Pediatric Dermatology, 36(5), 651-654. https://doi.org/10.1111/pde.13852

Damian, D., & Rogers, M. (2003). Demodex infestation in a child with leukaemia: Treatment with ivermectin and permethrin. International Journal of Dermatology, 42(9), 724-726. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-4362.2003.01916.x

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Álvarez-Salafranca, M., Vicente, A., Prat Torres, C., Combalia, A., Monsonís, M., Celis-Passini, V. P., & González-Enseñat, M. A. (2017). Demodicosis in two patients with a previous history of Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Pediatric Dermatology, 34(6), e299-e301. https://doi.org/10.1111/pde.13286

Guzman, A. K., Gittler, J. K., Amin, B., Srikantha, R., & Balagula, Y. (2020). Acute inflammatory Demodex-induced pustulosis in an immunocompetent patient related to topical steroid use. Pediatric Dermatology, 37(5), 985-986. https://doi.org/10.1111/pde.14315

Bonnar, E., Eustace, P., & Powell, F. C. (1993). The Demodex mite population in rosacea. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 28(3), 443-448. https://doi.org/10.1016/0190-9622(93)70065-2

How to Cite

1.
Valero Román I, Velásquez-Vaderrama F, Torres-Ibérico R, Aguilar Huamán MW. Demodicosis in an immunocompetent pediatric patient related to the use of corticosteroids. Rev. Hispano-Am. Dermatol. Pediátr. [Internet]. 2025 Nov. 12 [cited 2026 Jan. 15];2(3). Available from: https://revistaasocoldermaorgco.biteca.online/index.php/dermaped/article/view/2056

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Published

2025-11-12

How to Cite

1.
Valero Román I, Velásquez-Vaderrama F, Torres-Ibérico R, Aguilar Huamán MW. Demodicosis in an immunocompetent pediatric patient related to the use of corticosteroids. Rev. Hispano-Am. Dermatol. Pediátr. [Internet]. 2025 Nov. 12 [cited 2026 Jan. 15];2(3). Available from: https://revistaasocoldermaorgco.biteca.online/index.php/dermaped/article/view/2056