LB1687 Impact of climate change on atopic dermatitis: A systematic search and review by the International Eczema Council

Atopic dermatitis is known to be influenced by environmental factors; however, the impact of climate change remains poorly quantified. We conducted a systematic search on the impact of ten climatic hazards sensitive to greenhouse gas emissions on atopic dermatitis and identified 17 studies that were primarily located in the US, Europe, Asia, and Africa. All climatic hazards studied had theoretical or empirical evidence for aggravation of atopic dermatitis, whereas there was minimal evidence for improvement of atopic dermatitis. The impact on atopic dermatitis was both through direct effects such as stimulation of inflammation from particulate matter from wildfires, and from indirect effects such as drought-induced migration and poverty. To illustrate the impact of climatic hazards, we created maps comparing the past, present, and projected future impact of climatic hazards to global atopic dermatitis prevalence data. Additional studies addressing the impact of multiple environmental risk factors are needed to address gaps in understanding and to inform policy in areas where atopic dermatitis continues to rise in prevalence.