Dermatological conditions in international pediatric travelers: Epidemiology, prevention and management

SummaryWith an increasing number of children traveling internationally, there has been growing interest in studying the burden of travel-associated illnesses in children. We reviewed recently published (2007–2012) studies on travel-associated illness in children, and extracted the reported spectrum of dermatological conditions in children. Dermatologic problems are among the leading health concerns affecting children during and after return from international travel. Most are mild and self-limited, but an extended spectrum of conditions has been reported from a large retrospective multicenter study. Children may be especially at risk for infections related to environmental exposures, arthropod-related problems, and animal bites. Of note are also tropical and cosmopolitan systemic infections with potential for transmission in the receiving communities. Implications for pre- and post-travel care of children are emphasized.