A variety of skin diseases appear to be worsened by climate change. Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is one of the most common ailments impacting kids. Air pollution, which is causing and in turn caused by climate change, causes eczema flares. Longer pollen seasons can worsen eczema. Emotional stress, for example due to natural disasters or eco-anxiety, negatively impacts skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and vitiligo. Infectious diseases that affect the skin are also on the rise because of climate change, including Lyme disease, Zika, dengue fever, and Chikungunya. Elevated temperature and UV light exposure, as well as damage to the ozone layer, are thought to put people at increased risk for various skin cancers.
Check out a great infographic on some of the latest research here! And read more about sunscreen selection with a Seattle Children's dermatologist!
