Pattern of skin diseases among pilgrims during Hajj season in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

A high incidence of skin diseases such as pyoderma and intertrigo among pilgrims of such a large congregation is understandable. Investigating these skin infections is worthwhile because they are preventable, easily diagnosed, and are curable in the majority of patients.

Pattern of diseases among visitors to Mina health centers during the Hajj season, 1429 H (2008 G)

“…The high incidence of skin diseases correlates well with other studies that reported skin diseases as one of the common causes to seek care from a health provider [18,19]. Long distance walking and overcrowding may also contribute to the development of skin diseases, which may explain why men, who are responsible for their families' needs, developed skin diseases more than women (15.0%, compared with 6.7%, respectively) [20].…”

Skin disease patterns in Hormozgan, Iran

“…A hot, humid climate such as that of this region, especially during the warm seasons, is considered to be a predisposing factor for this disease, and it is therefore very common in tropical areas. This disease accounted for 6.5% of all skin disorder cases in the region, which is comparable with the incidences in Abha, 1 Abu‐Dhabi 2 and Mecca, 3 which have very similar climates, lower than those in Calcutta, India and Zambia 1 and higher that that in Vancouver 4…”

Prevalence of skin diseases in a dermatology outpatient clinic in Turkey. A cross-sectional, retrospective study.

“…Cutaneous abscesses, furuncles and carbuncles were the leading diseases in this group. Infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue were detected at rates higher than 10% in studies conducted in Saudi Arabia, 3 Egypt, 8 and Ghana, 14 whereas rates lower than 5% were reported in studies conducted in Japan 7 and England. 14 Differences in bacterial infection rates according to countries might be due to differences in socioeconomic status, personal habits, and variations in compliance with hygienic conditions.…”

“…While the reported fungal disease rates were lower in Saudi Arabia, 3 Yemen, 4 South Africa, 6 Mexico, 13 and England, 14 the rates were higher in Mali, 5 Egypt, 8 Iran, 12 and Nepal. 15 The three most common fungal diseases were dermatophytosis, pityriasis versicolor, and candidiasis.…”

“…Dermatitis and eczema were the most commonly encountered skin diseases in previous studies conducted in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Mali, South Africa, Japan, Egypt, Nigeria, Peru, and Greece. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] The most commonly encountered disease in this disease group was contact dermatitis.…”