Skin disorders encountered in a pediatric emergency department

A total of 1381 visits to a pediatric emergency department (ED) during a six-week period were surveyed to determine the types and frequency of skin disorders encountered. A primary skin complaint accounted for 431 (31%) visits. There was a skin complaint of secondary importance in another 35 (3%) visits, and a skin disorder not mentioned by the patient or parent was detected on examination in a further 88 (6%) visits. In total, 554 (40%) visits included a skin complaint or a skin finding. As expected, cutaneous trauma (including abrasions, contusions, lacerations, and burns) accounted for a substantial number of visits, but a wide range of other dermatologic conditions was also represented, including skin infections, contact dermatitis, and numerous other disorders. Skin diseases are encountered frequently in the pediatric ED setting and should be included in the formal teaching curriculum for training programs in pediatrics and emergency medicine.