Cutaneous lesions in travelers, migrants and VFRs, +Redivi network, Spain, 2009-2024

Skin conditions commonly affect travelers and migrants. Imported cutaneous lesions may be under-diagnosed and differences may be observed according to type of traveler. The objective of the study was to describe the main imported skin diseases registered in the +Redivi network and analyse distribution and characteristics based on traveler profile.

A retrospective analysis of data from the +Redivi Spanish national network, October 2009-December 2024, was performed. Patients with a cutaneous syndrome as primary or secondary reason for consultation were included in the analysis.

In total, 3437 patients consulted for a cutaneous syndrome (9.5% of the total). Travelers represented 62.4% (2146), migrants 22.4% (769), and VFRs accounted for 15.2% (522) of cases. The median age was 36.1 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 27.7-47.4). The leading conditions were arthropod bites (490, 14.3%), skin and soft tissue infections (384, 11.2%), cutaneous larva migrans (323, 9.4%), arboviral infections with cutaneous manifestations (232, 6.8%) and animal bites (280, 8.2%). Arthropod bites, animal bites, cutaneous larva migrans, and tungiasis were significantly more frequent in travelers (p < 0.001). Arboviral infections with cutaneous involvement were significantly more common in VFRs (p < 0.001) and scabies, superficial fungal infections and skin and soft tissue infections were more common in migrants (p < 0.05).

Significant differences in imported cutaneous conditions according to type of traveler were observed, probably linked to cultural, epidemiological and social factors. These data may be used to tailor pre-travel prevention strategies and to enhance diagnostic guidelines for travel-related skin diseases.