Eight hundred and twenty primary school children were examined to assess the spectrum and prevalence of skin diseases in rural Tanzania. In all, 55% of the children had one or several skin disorders, but only 33% of all diagnoses in a cluster of 14% of the children required treatment. Tinea versicolor was found in 26.2%, pyoderma and dermatophytoses in less than 10%, while few children had scabies or eczematous lesions.

The results strongly argue for regular soap use against common dermatomycoses as a low-cost and effective treatment. This promising finding should be considered in settings where dermatophyte infections represent a public health problem and where access to appropriate treatment and financial resources are limited.