Epidemiologic approach to community dermatology.

A survey on communicable dermatoses in economically weak villages in India showed wide variations in prevalence rates in similar ecologic setup. A skin diseases, on-spot-treatment, 1-day-camp was organized to treat 1787 subjects in five villages. Two applications of 1% lindane 1 week apart was the only treatment used without attending to hygiene for scabies and pediculosis. Application of 1% gentian violet with four daily doses of sulfamethoxy-pysidazine was administered for pyoderma. The cure rate for scabies and pediculosis was 86%. Epidemiologic determinants of communicable dermatoses are the most important factors in the practice of community dermatology.