ISLAMABAD, FEB 05 (Online): For years, scientists have been studying how the effects caused by climate change may impact health.
\nPrevious studies show climatic effects such as extreme heat can increase a person\u2019s risk for kidneyTrusted Source and death due to cardiovascular diseaseTrusted Source.<\/p>\n
In addition, air pollution from things such as smog and wildfires can impact the respiratoryTrusted Source and cardiovascular systemsTrusted Source.
\nMany of the effects of climate change also have the potential to lead to mental health issuesTrusted Source.
\nNow, researchers from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) have found hazards created by climate change can also negatively affect the chronic skin condition atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema.
\nTheir studyTrusted Source was recently published in the journal Allergy.<\/p>\n
Climate-related hazards and eczema
\nFor this study, researchers focused on how 10 climate hazards related to greenhouse gas emissions impact atopic dermatitis.
\nThese climate hazards included global warming, heat waves, wildfires, drought, floods, and rising sea levels.
\n\u201cWe\u2019ve known for a long time that atopic dermatitis is particularly sensitive to environmental factors, but there was not a clear consensus on how the increasing prevalence of climatic hazards due to climate change might impact atopic dermatitis. Therefore, we set out to review the literature through a systematic search and provide a narrative summary,\u201d Dr. Katrina Abuabara, an associate professor of dermatology at the UCSF School of Medicine and a senior author of this study, explained to Medical News Today.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor many patients with atopic dermatitis, the unpredictability of disease flares can be particularly challenging,\u201d Abuabara explained. \u201cUnderstanding how climatic factors impact disease could lead to better strategies to address disease triggers. Moreover, because atopic dermatitis is so common, it is important from a public health perspective to understand how climate change and climatic hazards could impact disease trends in the population.\u201d
\nMost climatic hazards aggravate eczema
\nFor this study, Abuabara and her team analyzed data from 18 studies providing evidence for the aggravation of eczema by one of the 10 identified climatic hazards.<\/p>\n
Overall, researchers said there was evidence linking most climate-related hazards to aggravation of atopic dermatitis.
\nSome were direct effects, such as particulate matter from wildfires. Others were indirect effects such as drought-induced food insecurity, poverty, and subsequent migration that could disrupt regular healthcare and cause stress that could impact a person\u2019s eczema.
\nThe scientists also created maps showing the past, present, and future projected burden of eczema relative to climatic hazards. Maps were created plotting cumulative exposure to climatic hazards in 2005 and 2017 as well as predictions for 2053.
\n\u201cThe maps from 2005 and 2017 show that there is overlap between geographic areas with more exposure to climatic hazards and increased prevalence of atopic dermatitis,\u201d Abuabara said. \u201cThe projections for 2053 were used to illustrate the areas most likely to be impacted in the future, which tend to be more equatorial and do not overlap with countries where most of the existing research has been done, highlighting important areas for future work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Helping to inform and protect
\nAfter reviewing this research, Dr. Jordan Talia, an assistant professor at Mount Sinai Dermatology as well as the director of Complex Medical Dermatology and director of the Skin of Color Center in New York, told Medical News Today that he thought the study was an interesting and helpful summary of existing literature examining the impact of different climatic factors on atopic dermatitis.
\n\u201cIncreased understanding (of how climate change can affect atopic dermatitis) will help doctors and patients take steps to mitigate the impact that certain climatic factors can have on exacerbating atopic dermatitis,\u201d Talia said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAtopic dermatitis causes a tremendous amount of suffering, not just for the patient, but often for the whole family,\u201d Dr. Peter Lio, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology and pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, explained to Medical News Today: \u201cIt is complex and involves the skin barrier, the microbiome \u2014 both on the skin and in the gut \u2014 the nerve endings, the immune system, and is truly a \u2018mind-body\u2019 problem since it causes stress and discomfort.\u201d
\n\u201cIncreased heat, humidity, more variable weather, wildfires, and pollution \u2014 all of these can trigger or worsen atopic dermatitis, at least in some individuals,\u201d Lio added. \u201cWe all need to work fast to understand how we can push back against these forces to minimize the development and severity of atopic diseases.\u201d<\/p>\n
Medical News Today also spoke with Dr. Alexis Young, a dermatologist with Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, who said as a person\u2019s skin is the body\u2019s largest organ and is their first line of defense against the elements, it makes perfect sense that climate change would have an impact.
\n\u201cNow that we have data supporting the notion that climate-related hazards due to greenhouse gas emissions or particulate matter can have direct effects on eczema, patients can take action to better protect themselves or offset the impacts,\u201d she said. \u201cFor example, if we have another summer with heavy smoke drifting from Canadian wildfires, it might be better to stay indoors during these events.\u201d
\nHow can I protect my skin from climatic hazards? <\/p>\n
Dermatology experts provided the following tips for people looking to protect their skin from climatic hazards:
\n\u2022\tSee a dermatologist for a yearly skin screening.
\n\u2022\tAlways wear sunscreen and sun-protective clothing, even in the winter.
\n\u2022\tCheck the air quality before going outside.
\n\u2022\tUse moisturizers to help protect the skin from airborne pollutants that can harm the skin barrier.
\n\u2022\tStay hydrated.
\n\u2022\tEat well, get proper sleep, and exercise.
\n\u2022\tWash with gentle cleansers.
\n\u2022\tBe mindful of the ingredients in some skin care products that may also lead to unnecessary flare-ups
\n\u2022\tCheck the National Eczema Association\u2019s database for products suitable for those with eczema and sensitive skin in their Seal of<\/p>\n
Acceptance program
\n\u201cMost of all, for those who do have atopic dermatitis, it\u2019s important to find a healthcare practitioner that is experienced and that they have a good relationship with to personalize the recommendations and use medications when needed to keep the skin in its optimal health,\u201d Lio said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD, FEB 05 (Online): For years, scientists have been studying how the effects caused by climate change may impact health. Previous studies show climatic effects such as extreme heat can increase a person\u2019s risk for kidneyTrusted Source and death due to cardiovascular diseaseTrusted Source. In […]<\/p>\n
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