What documentation method aids diagnosis if delayed coral dermatitis occurs far from the injury site?
Answer
Photographing the wound every few days
When dealing with the possibility of a delayed reaction, such as coral dermatitis or a granuloma appearing weeks or months after leaving the tropical environment, visual documentation becomes highly beneficial. The recommended approach is to document the wound immediately after the initial injury and then continue photographing the affected area every few days. This creates a verifiable visual record that connects the later developing symptoms—which might otherwise baffle a non-specialist healthcare provider—back to the original marine event, thereby significantly aiding in obtaining the correct diagnosis without relying solely on memory.

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