Relevant Dermatoses Among U.S. Military Service Members: An Operational Review of Management Strategies and Telemedicine Utilization

Despite skin being the largest and most exposed organ of the human body, skin issues can be challenging to diagnose in deployed military service members. Common reasons deployed soldiers seek dermatological evaluation include infections, inflammatory skin conditions, and skin growth. Due to limited access to specialized care in deployed settings, dermatological conditions are undertreated and underdiagnosed. As a result, dermatological conditions are a leading contributor to decreased combat effectiveness among deployed medical forces. To lessen the burden of dermatological diseases, military providers should promptly identify operational skin diseases and alleviate modifiable barriers faced by service members. In a post-pandemic era with novel Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and monkeypox infections, the duty to effectively treat operational skin lesions is ever important. The need for military dermatologists continues to rise as the global landscape continues to evolve with unprecedented infections and increased bioterrorism threats. Teledermatology offers many solutions to mitigate the high demand for dermatologists during pandemics. Dermatological consultations account for the highest number of telemedicine visits in the US Military Health System (MHS). As such, increased utilization of teledermatology will reduce infection-related dermatological sequelae and prevent the medical evacuation of service members from military operations. This review collates and categorizes relevant dermatological conditions encountered among deployed personnel. This report outlines the standard of care and modified treatments recommended according to potential barriers faced in operational settings.