Space-related dermatoses
Space-related dermatoses (SRD) are among the most frequently reported medical issues during long-duration spaceflight. These conditions can impair crew comfort, performance, and post-flight recovery, raising concerns for upcoming Mars missions and commercial space tourism. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases identified studies published through December 2024 using terms such as “space dermatoses,” “microgravity and skin,” and “spaceflight dermatology.” Grey literature, NASA/ESA documents, and reference lists were also reviewed. Screening followed PRISMA guidelines, and study quality was assessed using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine framework. Twenty-three studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing observational, experimental, and animal/in vitro research. Reported SRD included xerosis, rashes, hypersensitivity, and impaired wound healing. Contributing factors involved radiation, nutritional deficits, microgravity, microbiome and immune alterations, stress, hygiene limitations, and environmental contaminants. Preventive measures include personalized skincare, immune profiling, barrier technologies, and teledermatology. Evidence remains limited by small cohorts and a lack of standardized dermatologic assessment. Collaborative dermatology space research is essential to clarify underlying mechanisms, develop mitigation strategies, and ensure skin health in future long-duration and commercial missions.
Authors
- Dedee Frances Murrell (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2971-0199)
- Natasha Atanaskova Mesinkovska (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2705-7002)
- Amy S. Paller (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6187-6549)
- Christopher G. Bunick (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4011-8308)
- Mohammad Hossein Taghrir (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2293-0383)
- M. Mark Melin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1368-0426)
- Lauren Sanders (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6420-0181)
- Sancy Ann Leachman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9140-0648)
- Nadia S. El‐Hamdi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9664-0763)
- Julia Scott Lehman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7389-3853)
- Najmeh Sadeghian (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3591-0314)
- Brian E. Crucian
- Rowena Christiansen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4625-6189)
- Jane M. Grant‐Kels (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1844-8415)
- Sylvain V. Costes (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8542-2389)
- Afshin Beheshti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4643-531X)
- Seyedeh Yasamin Parvar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3027-1843)
- Afsáneh Alavi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1171-4917)
- Hossein Akbarialiabad (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2018-6378)
- Ayman Grada (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5321-0584)
- Cameron West (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9673-9165)
- Arash Mostaghimi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6084-5617)
- Michelle Babb Tarbox (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3336-7394)
- Mohamad Goldust
- Kazuaki Shimada (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0613-4953)
- Gelavizh Keshtmand
Institutions
- Northwestern University (US)
- Texas Tech University (US)
- Ames Research Center (US)
- Brigham and Women's Hospital (US)
- Mayo Clinic (US)
- University of Connecticut (US)
- The University of Melbourne (AU)
- Shiraz University (IR)
- Washington University in St. Louis (US)
- University of Utah (US)
- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JP)
- UNSW Sydney (AU)
- Yale University (US)
- University of Florida (US)
- Mayo Clinic in Arizona (US)
- Johnson Space Center (US)
- Case Western Reserve University (US)
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (US)
- Florida College (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Clinics in Dermatology
- Published
- 2025-10-25
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clindermatol.2025.10.006
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Spaceflight effects on biology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.16