Travelers’ tropical skin diseases: Challenges and interventions

• Published in: Dermatologic therapy Vol. 32; no. 4; pp. e12665 - n/a
• Main Authors: Cunha, Paulo R., Flora, Thais B., Kroumpouzos, George
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01-07-2019
• Subjects: Chagas Disease - diagnosis; Chagas Disease - prevention & control; Chagas Disease - therapy; cutaneous larva migrans; diseases of travelers; Exanthema - diagnosis; Exanthema - prevention & control; Exanthema - therapy; Humans; Larva Migrans - diagnosis; Larva Migrans - prevention & control; Larva Migrans - therapy; leishmaniasis; Leishmaniasis - diagnosis; Leishmaniasis - prevention & control; Leishmaniasis - therapy; myiasis; Myiasis - diagnosis; Myiasis - prevention & control; Myiasis - therapy; Scabies - diagnosis; Scabies - prevention & control; Scabies - therapy; Skin Diseases - diagnosis; Skin Diseases - prevention & control; Skin Diseases - therapy; Travel; tropical diseases; Trypanosomiasis, African - diagnosis; Trypanosomiasis, African - prevention & control; Trypanosomiasis, African - therapy; Tungiasis - diagnosis; Tungiasis - prevention & control; Tungiasis - therapy; Yellow Fever - diagnosis; Yellow Fever - prevention & control; Yellow Fever - therapy; cutaneous larva migrans; diseases of travelers; tropical diseases; leishmaniasis; myiasis
• ISSN: 1396-0296; 1529-8019
• DOI: 10.1111/dth.12665

Tropical regions receive a significant part of the traveling population. It is very important that health professionals are familiar with the main tropical skin diseases and able to advice patients appropriately. This article reviews the main tropical diseases of travelers, with an emphasis on diagnosis, management, and prevention. Among others, cutaneous larva migrans, myiasis, tungiasis, Chagas disease, Dengue fever, African trypanosomiasis, filariasis, and leishmaniasis are discussed. Increasing awareness among travelers and health care professionals can help reduce morbidity and mortality. Continued research on new drugs and vaccines is needed to reduce the risks of tropical diseases.