Abstract
Background: Climate change, including high temperature, increased UV radiation, polluted air and change in humidity have been cited as factors that are leading to skin diseases across the globe. Some of these environmental factors include worsening eczema, skin cancer, psoriasis and other inflammatory skin diseases. Global warming is steadily emerging as a principal threat to world health and is already having an adverse impact on skin disorders.
Aim: This paper shall explore the impact of climate change on dermatological disorders through evaluating the consequences that resultant from environmental stimulus, inclusive of temperature, ultraviolet light, pollution and moisture.
Method: An analysis of recent work and cases from clinical practice was made to find out effects of environmental conditions on skin diseases in different parts of the world. Descriptive data were also used to compare the results of climate change variables with certain skin diseases.
Results: Increased UV index means increased cases of skin related cancers and premature skin aging whereas air pollution leads to an increase in inflammatory skin disease like psoriasis, acne among others. Also, humidity affects skin issue of dermatitis and fungal skin infections whereby geographical differences in skin problems due to climate changes are apparent. The study reveals that with the rise in temperatures cases of aggravated heat related skin problems such as eczema, rashes, and infection escalate.
Conclusion: Long term impacts of climate adaptation on skin health should be the area of interest in future studies concerning skin health and climate change while health care practitioners should prevent and manage skin conditions that are climate change related. This study extends knowledge on the negative health effects of climate change showing how it is exacerbating multiple dermatological diseases for people in Australia and worsening around the world.
Keywords: climate change, dermatology, skin conditions, UV radiation, air pollution, eczema, skin cancer, public health.