A common problem seen in children is head lice. Public health groups estimate as many as 12 million children are infected each year. Head lice can spread quickly, especially when children are in large groups such as those at school. There is growing concern in this country of lice becoming resistant to current medication. Research is addressing new strategies for therapy.
Many childhood diseases involve genetic mutations of the skin.
Recent information has documented that birthmarks in children may be associated with mutations that affect only small areas of the skin. Usually we think that genetic diseases involve genetic mutations in the entire skin. Therapy in the future may hope to approach the specific localized genetic disease as well as generalized genetic diseases. The American Academy of Dermatology is the largest medical society representing physicians who specialize in treating skin, hair, and nail conditions. American Academy of Dermatology, 1999.