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Derma Update: Higher prevalence of skin infections, infestations and papular urticaria among adolescents in tropics

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eMediNexus    06 July 2020

Acne is a common inflammatory disorder of the pilosebaceous gland, and it is also the most common and frequent dermatosis in adolescents worldwide. Infectious dermatoses are very common in the tropical regions, but due to the scarcity of epidemiologic surveys, little is known about the incidence and common types that are found in different sub-populations together with adolescents. However, it is assumed that the occurrence will be high with a diverse pattern. A school-based cross sectional observational survey was conducted to determine the incidence and pattern of infectious dermatoses, papular urticaria (insect bite reactions) and infestations in teenage adolescents in Calabar, Nigeria. Adolescents aged 13-19 years were selected randomly from secondary schools in Calabar, Nigeria. The survey involved the use of questionnaires and later whole body examination.

In the survey, a total of 1447 senior secondary school students were inspected. Infectious dermatoses, infestations, and papular urticaria (IDIP) were observed in 505 (34.9%) students, 269 (53.3%) males, and 236 (46.7%) females. Fungal dermatoses incorporated more than 90% of the diseases, majorly was contributed by pityriasis versicolor [430 (79.6%)]. The common dermatoses in descending frequencies were pityriasis versicolor, tinea, papular urticaria, candidiasis, furuncles, and viral warts.

The survey concludes a high incidence of cutaneous infections present in teenage adolescents in Calabar, Nigeria. A higher predisposition to fungal dermatoses is seen in males. Controlling the main cause of cutaneous infections, pityriasis versicolor, will significantly affect the occurrence of infectious dermatoses, and also lessen the burden of skin ailments in adolescents.

Source: Henshaw EB, Olasode OA. Prevalence of skin infections, infestations, and papular urticaria among adolescents in secondary schools in Calabar, Nigeria. Ghana Med J. 2019;53(4):287-293. doi:10.4314/gmj.v53i4.6

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