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Scabies is the most common neglected tropical disease with cutaneous manifestations, disproportionately affecting socially disadvantaged populations living in overcrowded settings. Scabies infestation is characterised by a generalised intractable pruritus, and is often complicated by secondary bacterial infection, which can lead to a range of complications. Scabies is a clinical diagnosis and requires an adequate degree of suspicion. The use of dermoscopy may improve diagnostic accuracy. In Australia, the first-line treatment recommended for scabies is topical permethrin 5% cream, applied to the whole body and repeated in one week. Oral ivermectin is subsidised by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme with streamlined authority for patients who have completed and failed treatment with topical therapy, have a contraindication to topical treatment or have crusted scabies. Early identification and prompt initiation of treatment is key to minimise the disease burden of scabies., (© 2024 AMPCo Pty Ltd.)

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that is commonly encountered in primary care and is associated with significant morbidity that extends beyond the skin manifestations. Psoriasis is associated with an elevated risk of psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular disease, obesity, insulin resistance, mental health disorders, certain types of malignancy, inflammatory bowel disease and other immune-related disorders, and hepatic and renal disease. Enhanced recognition of these comorbidities may lead to earlier diagnosis and potentially better overall health outcomes. Psoriatic nail involvement, severe skin disease and obesity are associated with a greater risk of psoriatic arthritis. Individuals with psoriasis should be routinely screened for psoriatic arthritis to allow for early intervention to improve long term prognosis. Life expectancy is reduced in people with psoriasis due to a variety of causes, with cardiovascular disease and malignancy being the most common aetiologies. Psoriasis affects several factors that contribute to worsened quality of life and increased risk of depression and anxiety. Effective therapies are now available that have been shown to concurrently improve skin disease, quality of life and psychiatric symptoms. As the concordance between psychosocial impact and objective disease severity does not always correlate, it is essential to tailor management strategies specifically to the needs of each individual. Cigarette smoking and excess alcohol consumption are among the most important modifiable risk factors that increase the likelihood of psoriasis development and severity of skin disease. This provides a compelling rationale for smoking cessation and limiting alcohol intake in people with psoriasis beyond their traditional harmful health consequences., (© 2020 AMPCo Pty Ltd.)

Objective: To investigate a reported increase in tinea capitis in an English-language school to determine if it was an outbreak and whether control measures were warranted., Design: Cross-sectional study., Setting and Population: Primary school children enrolled at an English-language school in an outer suburb of Melbourne were screened for tinea capitis in November 2005 by clinical examination, collection of scalp, skin or nail specimens where clinically indicated, and scalp brushing., Main Outcome Measures: Clinical diagnosis of tinea capitis confirmed by microscopy and culture., Results: Parental consent was obtained for 180 children (98%), of whom 153 (85%) were screened. Dermatophytes were isolated from 21% (32/153) of the children screened, comprising 23 infected children (cases) and 9 carriers. Three dermatophyte species were identified: Trichophyton soudanense, Trichophyton violaceum and Microsporum audouinii. Cases and carriers were significantly different to non-cases by ethnicity (P = 0.010): a higher proportion came from Africa, notably Sudan, and Arabic countries., Conclusions: Although our result may reflect what is expected in these migrant groups, tinea capitis caused by these three dermatophyte species is rare in Australian school children. Tinea capitis may continue to be a problem in these groups on account of continuing migration.