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What is eczema?

Eczema It is a common, long-lasting skin condition that affects about one in 10 people in the U.S. It causes red, dry, itchy patches of skin. The most common type of eczema is atopic dermatitis, which is often hereditary and usually begins in childhood. In the northern hemisphere, the situation is usually worse in winter, when the weather is cold and dry. However, experts are now seeing this pattern changing. For example, at Massachusetts General Hospital, a dermatologist noticed a large increased eczema flare-ups last summer.

Why does eczema worsen during the summer?

In 2023, Canada had more than 6,000 forest fires which burned more than 16 million hectares of land, an area larger than the entire state of Georgia. Although the fires were far away, the smoke traveled throughout the United States and more than 2,000 miles in Europe. The poor air quality from these distant wildfires caused eye throat irritation and it made it difficult for me to breathe.

In Boston, Dr. Arianne Shadi Kourosh, a dermatologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, also noticed skin problems. Dermatology clinics typically saw fewer than 20 people during a summer month for eczema, including atopic dermatitis. Suddenly, that number jumped to 160. Her research showed that the number of visits for these skin conditions matched the level of air pollution. Other studies have also found more eczema and psoriasis flare-ups linked to contamination from forest fires. But why does this happen?

Researchers believe that air pollutants could trigger a series of reactions in the body by causing oxidative stress, which damages the skin and causes inflammation. This process may also play a role in the development of eczema.

What can you do to protect your skin?

Air pollutants from wildfire smoke can damage many parts of the body, including the skin. Therefore, when air quality is poor due to wildfires, limiting exposure can help reduce health risks. This also applies to industrial air pollution, but pollution from wildfires could be worse because it has more toxic particles.

Here we give you some tips to protect your skin.:

– Get help if you have itching:If you think wildfire smoke or other air pollution is affecting your skin, consult a dermatologist or your healthcare provider.

– Check local air quality: AirNow.gov provides real-time local air quality information and activity guidance. When recommended, stay inside if possible. Close doors, windows and any outside air vents.

– Protect your skin: When outdoors, use sunscreen sunscreen containing zinc or titanium. These sunscreens form a barrier that reflects UV rays and reduces the amount of polluting particles that reach the skin. Using sunscreen also protects against skin cancer.

– wash up: After being outdoors, cleanse your skin and apply a hypoallergenic moisturizer to keep it healthy. If you have eczema, use cleansers and moisturizers recommended by your dermatologist or healthcare provider.

By following these tips, you can help protect your skin from the harmful effects of wildfire smoke and other air pollutants.