Wilderness Dermatology: Bugs, Plants, and Other Nuisances That May Ruin Your Hike

R I Med J (2013). 2019 Feb 1;102(1):16-22.

Abstract

Spending time outdoors can be rewarding. However, exposure to the sun, insect bites, and plant exposures may result in a wide range of dermatologic manifestations. In this article, we describe potential cutaneous manifestations of common wilderness exposures in New England including photodermatoses from prolonged sun exposure, phytodermatoses from plant exposures, and arthropod-bite reactions from common insects (mosquitos, spiders, ticks, hymenoptera, mites and chiggers). The article will also address preventive and treatment strategies which may help physicians and their patients better prepare for spending time in the wilderness. [Full article available at http://rimed.org/rimedicaljournal-2019-02.asp].

Keywords: arthropod reactions; dermatology; phototoxicity; plant exposure; wilderness.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arthropods
  • Checklist
  • Dermatitis, Phototoxic / prevention & control
  • Dermatitis, Phototoxic / therapy*
  • Dermatology*
  • First Aid
  • Histamine Antagonists
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity, Immediate / prevention & control
  • Hypersensitivity, Immediate / therapy*
  • Insect Bites and Stings / prevention & control
  • Insect Bites and Stings / therapy*
  • New England
  • Protective Clothing
  • Snakes
  • Sunscreening Agents
  • Tick-Borne Diseases / prevention & control
  • Tick-Borne Diseases / therapy*
  • Ultraviolet Rays / adverse effects*
  • Wilderness Medicine*

Substances

  • Histamine Antagonists
  • Sunscreening Agents