Fungous and Bacterial Skin Infections in the Tropics.
Abstract
Bacterial skin infections in the tropics are the predominant cause of dermatological disease in civilians and are directly related to temperature, humidity, exposure, and living conditions. Substandard housing and poor hygiene, biting and vector insects contribute to high rates of infection. Tropical skin infections are usually streptococcal. In military populations, personnel on field operations are at highest risk. Support troops, even in the tropics, have a much lower incidence of streptococcal pyoderma. Currently available deodorant soaps do not prevent skin infections, but chlorhexidine gluconate looks promising. Epidemic furunculosis is related to close social contact, and may be more common than most physicians realize. Early treatment with antibiotics plays a significant role in prevention of new furuncles among contacts. Antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria pose new problems in cutaneous microbiology. Severe fungal infections of the skin may attack up to 70% of military personnel in hot humid environments. Occlusion is the most significant factor, and appears to be related to accumulation of CO2 under damp clothing. Combined therapy of tinea corporis/cruris with topical miconazole/hydrocortisone is highly effective. Hydrocortisone alone makes these infections worse in the tropics. Topical clotrimazole is effective in the treatment of dermatophytosis, but tinea pedis is difficult to treat and usually recurs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA060212
Entities
People
- David Taplin
Organizations
- University of Miami