Skin disorders, including pyoderma, scabies, and tinea infections.
Pyoderma, scabies, and tinea are common childhood skin disorders too often considered to be merely of nuisance value. More than 111 million children are believed to have pyoderma, with many also co-infected with scabies, tinea, or both. These skin disorders cannot be differentiated by ethnicity or socioeconomic status but, in high-prevalence areas, poverty and overcrowded living conditions are important underlying social determinants. Each is transmitted primarily through direct skin-to-skin contact. For many Indigenous children, these skin conditions are part of everyday life. Although rarely directly resulting in hospitalization or death, there is a high and largely unmet demand for effective management at the primary health-care level, particularly for pyoderma and scabies. Despite particularly high prevalence in some settings, treatment is not sought for many children, and when sought, the clinical benefit from such consultations is variable. The lack of standard, evidence-based recommendations is of much concern. The current evidence base for clinical diagnosis and treatment of these common childhood skin disorders is highlighted.
Andrews
Ross M
RM
Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, PO Box 41096, Darwin, Northern Territory 0811, Australia. ross.andrews@menzies.edu.au
McCarthy
James
J
Carapetis
Jonathan R
JR
Currie
Bart J
BJ
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000465:Algorithms; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003441:Crowding; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007306:Insecticides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D026023:Permethrin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D044382:Population Groups; D011203:Poverty; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology; D011711:Pyoderma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D012532:Scabies / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014005:Tinea / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D007306:Insecticides; D026023:Permethrin