Skin disorders at sea.
The purpose of this study is to characterize the types of skin disorders occurring at sea requiring acute treatment. The case logs of a tele-medicine service for US flagged ships at sea were reviewed from March 1, 2006 until March 1, 2009. Of 1844 total cases, 10% (n = 183) were for skin disorders. Sixty-eight percent (n = 125) were infections, 14% (n = 25) were inflammatory, 7% (n = 13) were environmental, and 11% (n = 20) were non-specific rashes. Cutaneous abscesses and cellulitis (n = 84) were the most common acute skin disorders encountered. In some cases (n = 81), still digital photographs aided in the diagnosis.
Lucas
Ray
R
Maritime Medical Access, The George Washington University, USA. rlucas@mfa.gwu.edu
Boniface
Keith
K
Hite
Michael
M
D000208:Acute Disease / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008485:Medical Audit; D012767:Ships; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000145:classification* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy