New Research Shows Links Between Eczema And Climate Change

A​nyone who has eczema knows that certain types of weather can make it worse, especially in winter.

N​ow, new research is showing that many of the effects of climate change could be triggers or make flareups more severe.

"We’ve known for a long time that atopic dermatitis (aka eczema) is particularly sensitive to climatic factors, therefore it’s a natural extension to think about the impact of climate change," Dr. Katrina Abuabara, an associate professor in dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, wrote in an email to weather.com.

A​buabara is the lead author on a paper recently published in the European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology that analyzes the connection between climate change and eczema.

W​hat Is Eczema?

E​czema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects up to 20% of children and 10% of adults worldwide, A​buabara said. It's characterized by dry, itchy skin and can make people more susceptible to skin infections, according to the National Institutes of Health.

I​t's common in newborn babies and the American Academy of Dermatology says that up to 60% of people with eczema develop it in their first year of life.

It's typically treated with moisturizers or prescription medications, and by working to eliminate triggers.

T​he Role Of Climate And Weather

E​czema affects the skin's ability to protect itself from certain environmental factors. Some of those same environmental factors, including things like temperature, air pollution and flooding are being made more extreme by climate change.

A​buabara and her team looked at 10 different climate change hazards and a broad catalog of existing studies. Here's what the science shows:

-Wildfires pump the air full of small particle pollution and chemical compounds that can be carried long distances and cause a myriad of health problems, including rashes and other skin irritations. One study cited in the analysis found that cases of dermatitis spiked in the San Francisco Bay Area around the time of the massive Camp Fire in 2018.

-​Stress and other factors from extreme weather events including hurricanes and drought could also cause a rise in cases.

-​Exposure to mold and other allergens after flooding, or irritants in flood waters, could lead to eczema flareups.

-The impacts of climate change on eczema can vary by location, but appear to be more prevalent in areas that are more vulnerable to extreme weather.

What's Next?

A​buabara said there are many gaps in the research and more work needs to be done to fully understand how extreme weather affects eczema, and how those who suffer from it can better manage it in extreme weather.

"People with eczema often find the unpredictable nature of disease flares a particularly challenging aspect of the disease, so it is important to understand factors that can cause disease flares," she said.

M​ORE ON WEATHER.COM

-​What Is Windburn And How Can I Get Relief?

-​An Easy Skin Care Routine For Any Time Of Year

Weather.com reporter Jan Childs covers breaking news and features related to weather, space, climate change, the environment and everything in between.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives.