Profile of dermatoses in extreme weather events: case series during floods in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil^*

Background:  The skin is the first organ of the human body to be exposed to flood water,with local and possibly systemic consequences. There are no Brazilian data on dermatological diseases during recent climate catastrophes related in the country.

Objectives:  To assess the demographic profile and dermatological diagnoses in people displaced from their homes and sheltered in collective housing and among rescue workers during the extreme climate crisis in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in 2024.

Methods:  This was a cross-sectional and observational study. Information was collected in person or through records, retrospectively.

Results:  Data were collected from 371 people with dermatological complaints, and a total of 423 dermatoses were diagnosed. The most prevalent dermatological diseases were dermatoparasitosis, pyoderma, and skin conditions due to trauma and/or injuries. The male gender was statistically associated with traumatic dermatoses/injuries, and females with pyoderma (p < 0.05).

Conclusion:  In the recent episode of extreme climate crisis in Brazil, infectious and traumatic dermatoses were the most prevalent among the affected persons. The role of dermatologists in providing care for this population, as well as guiding other colleagues in the management of skin diseases during the floods is highlighted. Study limitations: The study was conducted in shelters, and some data were evaluated retrospectively. No complementary exams were used for diagnosis.

KEYWORDS
Climate changes; Dermatology; Extreme weather; Floods; Refugees; Skin diseases