Dermatologic conditions of the ill returned traveler: an analysis from the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network

Edith R. Lederman*, Leisa H. Weld, Iqbal R.F. Elyazar, Frank von Sonnenburg, Louis Loutan, Eli Schwartz, Jay S. Keystone

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

121 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Skin disorders are common in travelers. Knowledge of the relative frequency of post-travel-related skin disorders, including their geographic and demographic risk factors, will allow for effective pre-travel counseling, as well as improved post-travel diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. Methods: We performed a retrospective study using anonymous patient demographic, clinical, and travel-related data from the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network clinics from January 1997 through February 2006. The characteristics of these travelers and their itineraries were analyzed using SAS 9.0 statistical software. Results: A skin-related diagnosis was reported for 4594 patients (18% of all patients seen in a GeoSentinel clinic after travel). The most common skin-related diagnoses were cutaneous larva migrans (CLM), insect bites including superinfected bites, skin abscess, and allergic reaction (38% of all diagnoses). Arthropod-related skin diseases accounted for 31% of all skin diagnoses. Ill travelers who visited countries in the Caribbean experienced the highest proportionate morbidity due to dermatologic conditions. Pediatric travelers had significantly more dog bites and CLM and fewer insect bites compared with their adult counterparts; geriatric travelers had proportionately more spotted fever and cellulitis. Conclusions: Clinicians seeing patients post-travel should be alert to classic travel-related skin diseases such as CLM as well as more mundane entities such as pyodermas and allergic reactions. To prevent and manage skin-related morbidity during travel, international travelers should avoid direct contact with sand, soil, and animals and carry a travel kit including insect repellent, topical antifungals, and corticosteroids and, in the case of extended and/or remote travel, an oral antibiotic with ample coverage for pyogenic organisms.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)593-602
Number of pages10
JournalInternational Journal of Infectious Diseases
Volume12
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2008

Funding

FundersFunder number
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

    Keywords

    • Dermatologic
    • Prevention
    • Risk factor
    • Skin
    • Traveler

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