[Podoconiosis, a society and medical community neglected disease]

Abstract

Podoconiosis, mossy foot or endemic non-filarial elephantiasis, is a geochemical disease that causes lower limb lymphedema; it is directly related to walking barefoot over soils of volcanic origin, in areas with a high pluviometric annual index. It has a specific geographical distribution, affecting around 5% population in areas where it is endemic. It is debilitating and disfiguring disease, which frequently leads to social margination. Podoconiosis is totally preventable and, once a diagnosis is established, it may improve with simple therapeutic measures.

Keywords: Elefantiasis; Elephantiasis; Linfedema; Lymphedema; Neglected; Olvidada; Prevenible; Preventable; Suelo volcánico; Volcanic soil.