[Dermatologic problems arising during foreign travel]

The skin is a highly exposed organ during vacation times, especially during travel to countries with subtropical and tropical climates. Prolonged stay in these countries significantly increases the risk of contracting rarely seen dermatoses such as leishmaniasis, larva migrans and myiasis. The bites of various flies may provoke itching and excoriations that may be infected with Staphylococcus aureus and/or hemolytic streptococci, resulting in impetigo, furunculosis or erysipelas. Elderly persons spending weeks in the tropical sun may develop drug-induced phototoxic or photoallergic rash due to concomitant medication for cardiovascular or rheumatic diseases. Acute sunburn is considered a short-lasting problem, but in children it increases the risk of malignant melanoma in later years. Also of concern is chronic UV exposure, which increases the risk of premalignant and malignant skin tumors. Finally, mucocutaneous manifestations arising weeks and months after returning from vacation should raise suspicions of sexually transmitted syphilis and HIV.