The Changing Climate Is Leading to Itchier Summers

A summer picnic is great in theory, but if you’re one of the 31 million Americans with eczema, you might think twice. Eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) causes dry, itchy, and easily irritated skin. Those who have eczema cycle between flare-ups and calmer periods.

Changes in temperatures, humidity, and exposure to pollutants are among the most common culprits for eczema flare-ups. Studies have linked increased air pollutants, including carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, to more frequent eczema episodes and more severe symptoms. Levels of carbon monoxide tend to be lowest in the summer months, but climate events (such as wildfires) can shift this trend.

To assess the impact of the 2023 Canadian wildfires on eczema, Kathyana P. Santiago Mangual and colleagues matched carbon monoxide reports from the Environmental Protection Agency with dermatology clinic visits in Boston, Massachusetts for eczema from 2019 to 2023.

Wildfire smoke includes various pollutants such as carbon monoxide. As shown in the figure, a sharp increase in carbon monoxide levels in 2023 due to Canadian wildfires was accompanied by a similar increase in eczema-related clinic visits 300 miles away.

The authors urge dermatologists to educate patients and each other on the effects of air pollution on eczema. In a survey, almost 90% of patients indicated interest in receiving information about the effects of climate events on eczema. Yet less than half of patients reported their concerns were adequately addressed.

Keeping an emergency eczema kit can be handy. A bag with moisturizers and ointments can go a long way toward reducing discomfort when the summer sky carries smoke from far away.