An international review of skin conditions in incarcerated persons

Authors

• Madison Ferris, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
• Rahib K. Islam, LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Medicine
• Thy N. Huynh, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
• Robert E. Davis, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
• Mirna Becevic, School of Medicine, Columbia, Missouri
• Saurabh Chandra, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
• Ross L. Pearlman, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
• Jeremy J. Jackson, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
• Robert T. Brodell, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
• Shari R. Lipner, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City, New York
• Vinayak K. Nahar, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-2024

Keywords

cancer detection ; dermatology in incarcerated persons ; health policy ; hygiene ; incarcerated skin disorder ; inmates skin disease ; protected class ; teledermatology

Abstract

Introduction

Incarceration negatively affects inmates’ skin and overall quality of life. Overcrowded jail cells, poor hygiene, unsanitary conditions, and limited access to quality health care significantly increase the incidence of skin diseases among incarcerated persons (IPs). This review examines these diseases, their causes, and strategies to mitigate them.

Methods

A literature search using Google Scholar and PubMed covered studies from 2002 to 2023, identifying 18 peer-reviewed studies. These studies provided data on IP skin conditions, adherence to treatment, IP living conditions, health care access, and strategies to alleviate skin conditions.

Results

The studies were conducted in Australia, Cameroon, Canada, France, Guinea, India, Italy, Korea, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Taiwan, Turkey, and the United States. They consistently showed that inadequate health care, poor hygiene, overcrowding, and improper treatment protocols contribute to skin diseases in IP. Common conditions included scabies, fungal infections, acne, and psoriasis. Teledermatology has proven effective in reducing these conditions. Additional measures should focus on reducing overcrowding and improving hygiene practices.

Conclusions

IPs face numerous dermatological challenges that impact their health and well-being. Enhancing hygiene, improving on-site care with teledermatology, and implementing policy reforms can mitigate these issues from the standpoint of the prison health system director. Dermatologists from the community or academic centers must engage to prioritize the health care model or models that will work best in their region since they are responsible for diagnosing and treating IPs.

Citation

Madison Ferris, Rahib K. Islam, Thy N. Huynh, Robert E. Davis, Mirna Becevic, Saurabh Chandra, Ross L. Pearlman, Jeremy D. Jackson, Robert T. Brodell, Shari R. Lipner, Vinayak K. Nahar, An international review of skin conditions in incarcerated persons, JAAD Reviews, Volume 2, 2024, Pages 113-126, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdrv.2024.10.001.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.