Climate Change and Pediatric Skin Health: Emerging Threats, Innovations, and Equity Gaps

Climate change poses unique dermatologic risks to children due to immature skin barrier function, weakened immune systems, and dependence on caregivers. Under stable environmental conditions, pediatric skin maintains homeostasis through balanced barrier function, microbiome diversity, and immune regulation. The changing climate disrupts these protective mechanisms through rising temperatures, air pollution, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and adverse weather conditions. Research demonstrates these environmental stressors exacerbate atopic dermatitis (AD), infectious dermatoses, and infestations, all while disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. Current clinical approaches often fail to address the climate-related dimensions of pediatric skin disease, relying on traditional therapies without environmental adaptation. Emerging solutions, such as climate-resilient skincare formulations, teledermatology, and community-based interventions, show promise for more effective management. This review examines the pathophysiological effects of climate change on pediatric skin, evaluates current and emerging care strategies, and identifies critical gaps in the literature. Challenges include limited pediatric-specific climate research, healthcare disparities in vulnerable populations, and inadequate integration of dermatologic concerns into climate policy. Despite these barriers, advances in preventive dermatology and community-based interventions offer opportunities to improve outcomes. Future progress will depend on interdisciplinary efforts to develop climate-adaptive skin care frameworks that protect children's health in a dynamic world.