Rachel V Thomas

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Climate Change Is Affecting Skin Health Worldwide, Warns Study

Climate change is increasingly affecting human health, with the <span>skin</span> potentially among the first organs to show its effects, according to a new international study.

The analysis of 136 countries found that 42.6% reported climate-related changes in the prevalence, severity or both of skin diseases.

Presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2026, the study found that lower-income countries reported a greater burden.

<h2>Lower-Income Countries Report Greater Impact</h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/research-shows-39-glp-1-users-reported-nail-detachment-what-is-ozempic-nail-article-156258030" data-type="tilCustomLink">Research Shows 39% GLP-1 Users Reported Nail Detachment: What Is Ozempic Nail</a>

More than half of low-income countries (55.6%) and lower-middle-income countries (52.5%) reported climate-related changes in skin disease.

This compared with 43.8% of upper-middle-income and 28.3% of high-income countries.

Regional differences were also substantial:

<ul><li>Western Pacific: 64.7%</li><li>Eastern Mediterranean: 60%</li><li>South-East Asia: 60%</li><li>Europe: 16.1%</li></ul>

In Africa, 42.9% of respondents were unsure about climate change's impact on skin disease, suggesting gaps in surveillance and evidence.

<h2><span rel="noindex">Heat Rashes</span>, <span rel="noindex">Inflammatory Skin Diseases</span> Rising</h2>

Among the 58 countries reporting climate-related effects, the most commonly reported changes included:

<ul><li>Heat rashes: 81%</li><li>Inflammatory skin diseases: 75.9%</li><li>Infectious skin diseases: 62.1%</li><li>Vector-borne diseases: 50%</li></ul>

“The most important finding from our study is that climate change is already associated with negative impacts on skin disease, and these effects disproportionately burden lower-income settings,” said Dr. Esther Freeman, study author and Associate Professor of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School.

Read More: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/world-environment-day-2026-how-climate-change-is-increasing-the-global-disease-burden-explained-article-154462421" data-type="tilCustomLink">World Environment Day 2026: How Climate Change Is Increasing the Global Disease Burden | Explained</a>

Rising temperatures, humidity, changing rainfall, air pollution and other environmental exposures can influence both the onset and severity of skin conditions.

Freeman said higher temperatures and humidity can increase sweating and skin irritation, while heat and air pollution may trigger or worsen inflammation.

“Shifts in temperature and rainfall can also affect the habitats of mosquitoes, ticks and other disease vectors, potentially allowing them to survive in places where they were previously uncommon,” she added.

<h2>Why Lower-Income Countries Face Greater Risks</h2>

The findings point to a wider climate-health disparity. Countries with fewer resources reported more climate-related changes in skin disease, despite generally contributing less to climate change.

These countries may also have fewer resources for disease surveillance, healthcare and climate adaptation.

The researchers called for stronger monitoring, greater awareness among healthcare professionals and locally tailored strategies.

<h2>Extreme Weather Can Trigger Skin Problems</h2>

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The skin is constantly exposed to environmental conditions, making it particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events like flooding, wildfire smoke, etc.

<ul><li>Flooding: It can increase traumatic injuries and bacterial or fungal infections, while contaminated water can trigger contact dermatitis.</li><li>Wildfire smoke: Smoke and air pollution can worsen skin inflammation, including eczema.</li><li>Heat waves:  Prolonged exposure can aggravate inflammatory skin conditions and, in severe cases, contribute to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.</li><li>Hot and humid weather: These conditions may increase some bacterial, fungal and viral infections. </li></ul>Spending more time outdoors during extreme heat can further increase exposure to UV radiation, air pollution and insects.

As climate patterns change, the researchers said stronger surveillance and greater awareness of these emerging skin-health risks will be increasingly important.

Freeman stressed the need “to start treating <span>skin health</span> as part of climate-health preparedness.”

<ul><li>Strengthening surveillance</li><li>Improving climate-health education</li><li>Developing locally relevant adaptation strategies</li><li>Accounting for differences in healthcare resources.</li></ul>

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Climate change is increasingly affecting human health, with the skin potentially among the first organs to show its effects, according to a new international study.The analysis of 136 countries found that 42.6% reported climate-related changes in the prevalence, severity or both of skin diseases.Presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2026, the study found that lower-income countries reported a greater burden.Lower-Income Countries Report Greater ImpactAlso read: Research Shows 39% GLP-1 Users Reported Nail Detachment: What Is Ozempic NailMore than half of low-income countries (55.6%) and lower-middle-income countries (52.5%) reported climate-related changes in skin disease.This compared with 43.8% of upper-middle-income and 28.3% of high-income countries.Regional differences were also substantial:Western Pacific: 64.7%Eastern Mediterranean: 60%South-East Asia: 60%Europe: 16.1%In Africa, 42.9% of respondents were unsure about climate change's impact on skin disease, suggesting gaps in surveillance and evidence.Heat Rashes, Inflammatory Skin Diseases RisingAmong the 58 countries reporting climate-related effects, the most commonly reported changes included:Heat rashes: 81%Inflammatory skin diseases: 75.9%Infectious skin diseases: 62.1%Vector-borne diseases: 50%“The most important finding from our study is that climate change is already associated with negative impacts on skin disease, and these effects disproportionately burden lower-income settings,” said Dr. Esther Freeman, study author and Associate Professor of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School.How Climate Change Affects SkinRead More: World Environment Day 2026: How Climate Change Is Increasing the Global Disease Burden | ExplainedRising temperatures, humidity, changing rainfall, air pollution and other environmental exposures can influence both the onset and severity of skin conditions.Freeman said higher temperatures and humidity can increase sweating and skin irritation, while heat and air pollution may trigger or worsen inflammation.“Shifts in temperature and rainfall can also affect the habitats of mosquitoes, ticks and other disease vectors, potentially allowing them to survive in places where they were previously uncommon,” she added.Why Lower-Income Countries Face Greater RisksThe findings point to a wider climate-health disparity. Countries with fewer resources reported more climate-related changes in skin disease, despite generally contributing less to climate change.These countries may also have fewer resources for disease surveillance, healthcare and climate adaptation.The researchers called for stronger monitoring, greater awareness among healthcare professionals and locally tailored strategies.Extreme Weather Can Trigger Skin Problems         The skin is constantly exposed to environmental conditions, making it particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events like flooding, wildfire smoke, etc.Flooding: It can increase traumatic injuries and bacterial or fungal infections, while contaminated water can trigger contact dermatitis.Wildfire smoke: Smoke and air pollution can worsen skin inflammation, including eczema.Heat waves:  Prolonged exposure can aggravate inflammatory skin conditions and, in severe cases, contribute to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.Hot and humid weather: These conditions may increase some bacterial, fungal and viral infections. Spending more time outdoors during extreme heat can further increase exposure to UV radiation, air pollution and insects.As climate patterns change, the researchers said stronger surveillance and greater awareness of these emerging skin-health risks will be increasingly important.Freeman stressed the need “to start treating skin health as part of climate-health preparedness.”Key priorities include:Strengthening surveillanceImproving climate-health educationDeveloping locally relevant adaptation strategiesAccounting for differences in healthcare resources.

climate change is already affecting skin health worldwide: study

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