New research has found evidence that environmental factors tied to climate change, such as air pollution, extreme temperatures and weather changes, may be worsening atopic dermatitis (eczema) in adults.
Researchers in Canada reviewed data from 42 studies conducted between 1985 and 2024, across 14 countries. These studies focused on patients aged 18 and over and examined how various environmental exposures such as particulate pollution, temperature, humidity and secondhand smoke were linked to the severity or frequency of eczema symptoms. 
This study is thought to be the first of its kind to combine a review of global research with an assessment of how certain or reliable each finding is.
The authors wrote said: ‘To our knowledge, research on the association of environmental factors and atopic dermatitis has not been comprehensively synthesised alongside an assessment of the certainty of evidence.’
Their findings revealed a consistent pattern: increases in several major air pollutants were associated with a rise in doctor and emergency room visits for eczema symptoms. Specifically, for every 10μg/m3 increase in PM10 and PM2.5, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, there was a corresponding increase in outpatient and emergency department visits for eczema-related care.
The study also found that extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, were associated with worsened eczema outcomes. Hot weather, in particular, appeared to affect women more than men when it came to outpatient visits.
While the link between cold temperatures and eczema was more variable, multiple studies still showed increased emergency room visits during colder periods.
In addition to temperature and air quality, the researchers examined other weather-related factors. Higher humidity and heavy precipitation were possibly linked to increased eczema severity, although the evidence here was less conclusive.
The authors also identified probable links between eczema prevalence and exposure to secondhand smoke, traffic-related pollution and living near industrial sites. While some of these findings were classified as moderate or low certainty, the overall trend pointed toward a harmful relationship between these environmental exposures and eczema outcomes.
Atopic dermatitis is considered an immune-mediated disease, meaning it’s connected to how the immune system functions. With climate change and pollution continuing to escalate globally, the burden of eczema could grow, impacting both individual well-being and healthcare systems.
Photo: Alexander Grey
Leave a Reply