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[Climate change and skin]
Thibaut Delahaye1, Gilles Absil1, Thomas Damsin1
1Service de Dermatologie, CHU Liège, Belgique.
Revue Medicale De Liege
|June 8, 2026
Summary
Climate change and pollution significantly impact skin health, worsening dermatologic diseases like atopic dermatitis and increasing skin cancer risk. Dermatological practices also contribute to environmental issues.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Dermatology
- Public Health
Background:
- Climate change, pollution, and extreme weather events profoundly affect skin health and dermatologic conditions.
- Environmental factors influence disease epidemiology, behavior, and treatment outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the multifaceted impacts of environmental changes on skin diseases.
- To examine how dermatological practices contribute to environmental degradation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on climate change, pollution, and skin health.
- Analysis of the relationship between environmental factors and specific dermatologic conditions.
- Assessment of the environmental footprint of dermatological procedures and products.
Main Results:
- Ultraviolet radiation exacerbates inflammatory dermatoses and is a primary cause of skin cancers.
- Humidity and rising temperatures worsen fungal infections, Darier disease, and hidradenitis suppurativa.
- Pollution is linked to increased severity of atopic dermatitis, and weather impacts drug side effects.
Conclusions:
- Environmental factors are critical determinants of skin health and disease presentation.
- Dermatology must address its environmental impact, including waste, packaging, and UV filter use.
- Interdisciplinary approaches are needed to mitigate climate change and pollution's effects on skin.
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