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Tropical skin diseases

Tropical skin diseases are conditions acquired in tropical and subtropical regions. They are diagnosed in non-tropical countries most often in immigrants and travellers. Tropical skin diseases are often carried by insects and are transmitted when the insects bite humans. 

Infections are classified as:

• Protozoa, arthropods and helminths
• Bacteria
• Fungi
• Viruses.

Diseases classified as tropical diseases include:

• American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) 
• African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) 
• Atypical mycobacterial infection
• Cutaneous tuberculosis (TB)
• Dengue
• Helminths
• Hookworm
• Leishmaniasis
• Leprosy
• Lymphatic filariasis
• Onchocerciasis
• Pinta
• Scabies  
• Schistosomiasis
• Strongyloidiasis 
• Tapeworm
• Toxoplasmosis
• Trichuriasis
• Yellow fever
• Zika virus.

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Related information

 

On DermNet NZ

• Human immunodeficiency virus
• Tropical ulcer
• Tropical pyomyositis
• Mycetoma

Other websites

• Neglected Tropical Diseases – CDC
• Tropical diseases – WHO
• Major Tropical Diseases — American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
• The Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases

Books about skin diseases

See the DermNet NZ bookstore.