Review: Air Quality and Weather Linked to Dermatitis Severity

Key Takeaways

• Air pollutants such as PM₁₀ and sulfur dioxide are strongly associated with increased atopic dermatitis (AD) clinical visits.

• Extreme temperatures and humidity may exacerbate disease severity.

• AD burden may be partially addressed through pollution mitigation efforts.

Increased exposure to air pollutants and extreme temperatures is associated with greater population burden of atopic dermatitis (AD), according to a systematic review published in JAMA Dermatology.

The review looked at data from 42 observational studies examining the relationship between environmental exposures and atopic dermatitis outcomes in adults. Review data were drawn from MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases through June 2024.

According to the results, higher levels of PM₁₀ and sulfur dioxide were significantly associated with increased outpatient visits for atopic dermatitis (risk ratio [RR], 1.008; 95% CI, 1.003 to 1.012 and RR, 1.029; 95% CI, 1.020 to 1.039, respectively; high certainty). Moderate certainty linked PM₂.₅ and nitrogen dioxide to similar increases in clinical visits. Temperature extremes—both hot and cold—were also tied to elevated disease activity.

“The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that increased levels of environmental pollutants and temperature extremes are associated with increased population burden of atopic dermatitis,” the authors wrote. “Measures to mitigate pollution and climate change may improve atopic dermatitis outcomes.”

Park M, et al. Source: JAMA Dermatology. 2025. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2025.1790