The third edition of the Barcelona World Race, the only regatta in which two crew members aboard a sailing yacht sail non-stop around the world, recently started in Barcelona. This has made me reflect on the possible skin problems that these skippers may suffer in the competition, as well as sailors who have their trade at sea (fishermen) or those who do sports related to the sea (surfing, kite-surfing, etc.).
The sailor due to the environmental conditions to which he is exposed (sun, air, water, cold) can suffer different skin problems that I will discuss below. On a boat you are exposed to a lot of sun, ultraviolet radiation can cause sunburn or allergic reactions (polymorphic light eruption) in an acute phase. In a more chronic form, this accumulated sun exposure leads to more premature aging of the skin, with the appearance of more marked wrinkles, changes in skin coloration such as brownish skin spots (lentigines) and the appearance of dilatations in the capillaries of the skin (telangiectasias or venous lakes). The most serious problems that can occur are the appearance of skin tumors, the most frequent of which is basal cell carcinoma and, less frequently but with greater severity, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. The use of adequate photoprotection is essential.
Due to the cold, chilblains may occur, which are painful and cold inflammatory erythematous-bluish lesions, especially affecting the hands, feet, nose and ears. Being in contact with water and in humid conditions, they may also be more susceptible to acquiring infections, both viral, with the appearance of vulgar warts predominantly on hands and feet, and fungal, such as candidal intertrigo, especially in the groin and armpits, and the characteristic “athlete’s foot”, which is a fungal infection in the interdigital folds of the feet. Finally, the presence of wind when sailing can cause dryness and flaking of the face and lips, so it is very important to properly moisturize these areas.