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Recent developments in dermatological syndromes in returning travelers
1Département des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.
Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases
|August 30, 2008
Summary
Travelers frequently experience skin conditions, with bacterial infections being the most common. This review updates physicians on emerging dermatological syndromes in returning travelers for improved care.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Travel Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Dermatoses are a significant health concern for returning travelers.
- Limited physician knowledge of imported dermatoses necessitates improved pretravel and posttravel care.
- Recent developments in travel-related dermatological syndromes require updated clinical awareness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in the diagnosis and management of dermatological conditions in travelers.
- To enhance pretravel counseling and posttravel clinical practice.
- To highlight emerging and re-emerging dermatological syndromes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent developments in travel dermatology.
- Synthesis of information on emerging infections and established syndromes.
- Focus on conditions relevant to returning travelers.
Main Results:
- Travel-related dermatoses encompass a wide range of tropical and cosmopolitan infections and environmental diseases.
- Emerging infections include Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive Staphylococcus aureus.
- Clarified definitions for cutaneous larva migrans and creeping eruption; chikungunya identified as a cause of febrile exanthema.
- Bacterial infections, often secondary to arthropod exposure, remain the primary reason for consultation.
Conclusions:
- Bacterial infections are the leading cause of dermatological consultations in returning travelers.
- Most common infections are cosmopolitan and linked to arthropod bites.
- Tropical skin infections are less frequent but important to recognize.
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