Tropical and exotic dermatoses and ulcers

Background: Tropical dermatoses and ulcers, although essentially unique to tropical and subtropical areas, are occasionally seen in Australian general practice on returning travellers and migrants from endemic countries. Objective: This article will discuss important causes of tropical and exotic ulcers occasionally seen in Australia. Discussion: As tropical ulcers may mimic many other causes of skin ulceration and nodules, a history of recent travel should arouse clinical suspicion. The time frame since exposure to the causative organism is an important feature in the diagnostic process. For example, pyodermas and cutaneous larva migrans present a few days after contact with the causative agents, whereas leishmaniasis, cutaneous tuberculosis, atypical mycobacterial diseases (swimming pool granulomas) and tropical mycosis take weeks to months to appear.