[Climatic change and skin: diagnostic and therapeutic challenges].

Abstract Many scientists have reported on the current trend toward global warming and decreased precipitation. The magnitude and cause of these changes and their impact on human activity are matters of debate. Higher temperatures could increase the prevalence of some skin diseases. More people would suffer from sensitive skin and dry skin due to the reduction of relative humidity. An impaired skin barrier function would increase the severity and prevalence of atopic dermatitis. The greater percentage of UV-B radiation reaching the earth's surface, combined with the increased popularity of sunbathing, may lead to greater rates of skin cancer and photoaging if effective sunscreens are not used. Furthermore, the habitats of various vectors of infectious disease are changing. Such changes, should they occur, will be a challenge for dermatologists who will face the important task of prevention and early diagnosis and treatment of these diseases.