In an article called, “Worst Souvenir Ever? The Increasing Trend of Travel-Related Dermatoses”, Dr. Rivers writes that many dermatologists may be seeing an upswing in skin conditions picked up during trips to sunnier climates:
In fact, figures indicate that after fever and diarrhea, dermatoses are the third most common cause of morbidity in returning international travellers, and most of these are infectious in nature.
He sites figures showing that the increase in international travel of North Americans has resulted in an “accompanying spike in the number of ‘vacation dermatoses’ being seen…”, with some of the most common conditions being:
- Anthropod (insect) bites
- Rashes
- Cutaneous larva migrans (hookworm larvae infection)
- Skin and soft-tissue infection, e.g. Tung penetrans (burrowing flea)
- Pruritus (itching)
Dr. Rivers points out that unless a patient or doctor understands that a particular skin condition may be related to a previous tropical vacation, he or she may miss providing a correct diagnosis initially. He also warns,
Adding to the diagnostic challenge is the fact that the time between exposure and clinical symptoms can vary considerably. Some conditions present within a few days of contact (e.g., cutaneous larva migrans), whereas others may emerge clinically only after weeks or months have passed…
He encourages prevention as the goal. He advises covering up the body by wearing shoes – especially close-toed shoes – socks, long pants, long-sleeved shirts and a hat.
The article, “”Worst Souvenir Ever? The Increasing Trend of Travel-Related Dermatoses” was published in Vol. 19(2) 100-102, 2015 edition of the Canadian Dermatology Association’s Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery.