These notes are about the CMF Developing Health Course 2014.
The focus of today is Dermatology. I made notes on the whole course in 2012 – you can read about this day here.
Each day I’m just going to write about things that impacted me, and things I need to read later…
A final morning chapel followed our joyful late night escapades last night, with a combination of Amazing Grace and We Are Marching to get a bit of the African clapping vibe working. The photo below is from earlier in the week, but since its the last day today, it seems appropriate to share it…
Dermatology
Clare Fuller showed us lots of very interesting graphs. Dermatology complaints are known to under present, be poorly treated and lead to people avoiding healthcare for other important issues.
In some studies, more than 60% of Dermatological prescriptions were inappropriate in a Developing world setting.
Also, distance effects health seeking behaviour in Dermatology more than other conditions: if there is a clinic within 1km, people attend with their fever, their pain, their rashes. If the clinic is 10km away, they will only go with their fever or pain, according to one study.
Apparently 10-20% of children with scabies will still have haematuria 10 years later! That’s terrifying, and only something that’s recently coming to light.
Skin lightening products
Using topical steroids for skin lightening leads to low birth weight and vaginal bleeding in pregnancy.
Generally dangerous
Cutaneous bacterial infections
Very common in the tropics, can be difficult to identify which one in particular.
Treating cutaneous bacterial infections
- Wash skin – clean water, disinfectants
- Remove crusts, debris, necrotic tissue
- Topical anti-inflammatory/anti-biotics, honey, etc.
- Oral antibiotics
Eczema
Acqeous cream should not be left on the skin – can inhibit barrier function.
Otherwise the greasier the better.
Snakebites
Approach will vary depending what snakes you have in your area.
I saw a snake on my balcony, and was concerned, so asked a colleague what to do.
Their response, “Have you tried the exposure test?”
“What is that?“, she replied.
“Let it bite you, and see what happens…“
Fond goodbyes
I was feeling desperately sad by the end of the day, but it was time to say goodbye to everyone. I got bullied into starting a Developing Health 2014 facebook group, so feel free to join if you came along – it’d be great to stay in touch.
Thanks to everyone who came along, everyone who donated their time to teach, and the course organisers: I’ll be processing everything I’ve learnt for months…
