Seasonal change and its effect on the prevalence of infectious skin disease in a Gambian village

A longitudinal dermatological study was carried out to determine the effect of seasonal change on the prevalence of skin diseases, particularly infectious skin diseases. This study was performed at the end of the rainy season and at the end of the subsequent dry season at Keneba, The Gambia. The surveys provide a profile of the influence of climate on the prevalence of certain skin diseases, both in terms of the susceptible diseases and who in the community was most affected. These surveys also provided an appreciation of the magnitude of skin disease in the community. The greatest effect of climatic change was on the prevalence of the dermatomycoses and pyoderma in children under 10. No seasonal influences were detected with other forms of skin disease. Some unusual aspects of scabies were noted in the surveys, particularly the low prevalence and the unusual age distribution pattern with no higher prevalence amongst children.