Papular urticaria; its response to treatment with DDT and the role of insect bites in its etiology.

Although many methods of treatment for papular urticaria have been advocated, the results have been variable and often equivocal (1—b). Because this disease is known to occur chiefly in children of poor social and economic status, and because it is prevalent especially in the spring, summer, and fall seasons, one of us (B. S.) suspected that insects, particularly fleas1 and/or bedbugs,2 might be important in its etiology. This idea had been advanced previously by other investigators, particularly by Continental and English writers, and recently by Lunsford (3, 4, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16). Proceeding upon the above hypothesis, we have successfully treated papular urticaria with DDT in a lotion or dusting powder, and as a household spray.