Speaking today at the American Academy of Dermatology's 57 th Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Dr. Castro discussed the most common environmental and infectious dermatologic conditions that Americans may encounter when traveling abroad, especially to Latin America. Overexposure to the sun is the most frequent environmental condition which travelers experience. Since many travelers may not realize how intense the sun is in the tropics and may rely solely on the effectiveness of sunscreens, they often develop severe sunburns. In addition, exposure to ultraviolet radiation also temporarily suppresses the immune system and may be responsible for other illnesses. The reactivation of herpes simplex is a common response.
Berloque dermatitis is a skin condition which mimics sunburn.
Since it is caused by a reaction between sunlight and certain plant extracts which may be found in perfume or fruit, it commonly affects travelers who visit beaches where they enjoy tropical fruits or beverages. In addition to these environmental hazards, travelers may develop a variety of infectious skin conditions. In the countryside, travelers are at risk for cutaneous myiasis, an infection that is transmitted when a mosquito carrying botfly eggs bites a traveler. As these eggs are released into the skin, the affected traveler's skin becomes prickly and swollen and a small hole appears in the skin for the larvae to breathe. Occurring near pigsties and other areas that have low hygienic conditions, jiggers is an infection which is caused when the fertilized female sand flea penetrates the traveler's skin and burrows into the tissue.