Keratolysis Punctata: ¿Pathology or physical condition?, quaternary prevention or medicalization

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Keratolysis Punctata: ¿Pathology or physical condition?, quaternary prevention and medicalization

Context:Punctate keratolysis is a superficial bacterial infection of the epidermis, conditioned by different factors.

Objective: Determine the frequency of keratolysis punctata in the rural pediatric population and the factors that predispose to this pathology, in order to prevent its propagation and social stigmatization.

Design: Observational, descriptive cross-sectional study.

Place and subjects: A total of 20 children between the ages of 6 and 12, from the “Espiga de Oro” indigenous community at the Orlando Perón School, Cayambe – Ecuador (at 3600 masl).

Main measurements: Clinical history, interview, visual observation, dermoscopy and photographic record.

Results: Hyperpigmentation and keratosis demonstrated by dermoscopy was found in 100% of the children. While the clinical triad represented by mild humidity in 55%, mild bromhidrosis in 70% and moderate erosion in 50%, were the most evident manifestations.

Conclusion: Its diagnosis is fundamentally clinical and can be confused with fungal pathologies that delay its treatment. There are environmental and occupational conditions that predispose to these superficial lesions on the feet, their timely identification prevents their expansion and segregation.