Over an extended period, scientists have extensively researched the potential health impacts of climate change. Prior studies indicate that climatic factors like extreme heat heighten the risk of kidney issues and cardiovascular-related fatalities. Furthermore, air pollution, stemming from sources such as smog and wildfires, can adversely affect respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Additionally, the diverse effects of climate change possess the capacity to induce mental health concerns. Notably, researchers from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) have discovered that climate change hazards can detrimentally influence atopic dermatitis, a chronic skin condition commonly known as eczema.
In their investigation, scientists concentrated on assessing the impact of 10 climate-related hazards, associated with greenhouse gas emissions, on atopic dermatitis. These hazards encompass global warming, heat waves, wildfires, drought, floods, and rising sea levels. Dr. Katrina Abuabara, an associate professor of dermatology at the UCSF School of Medicine and a senior author of the study, highlighted the long-known sensitivity of atopic dermatitis to environmental factors. Given the lack of a clear consensus on how the increasing prevalence of climatic hazards due to climate change might affect atopic dermatitis, the researchers conducted a comprehensive literature review through a systematic search, presenting a narrative summary.
Dr. Abuabara emphasized the particular challenges faced by many atopic dermatitis patients due to the unpredictability of disease flares. Understanding the impact of climatic factors on the disease holds the potential for developing more effective strategies to manage triggers. Considering the widespread occurrence of atopic dermatitis, it becomes crucial, from a public health perspective, to comprehend how climate change and associated hazards could influence disease trends in the population. The study’s findings revealed that most climatic hazards exacerbate eczema, drawing on data from 18 studies providing evidence for the aggravation of eczema by one of the identified 10 climatic hazards.
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