Does Climate Change Affect Children’s Skin Health?

The skin is an important form of protection against the external environment. It is more than just a barrier, though: it is an active organ that keeps you cool by sweating, contains immune cells that prevent infections, and allows you to sense things through touch. The skin’s function can be affected by warmer temperatures and changing weather patterns known as climate change. These changes impact infectious organisms by disrupting their surrounding ecosystems, increasing their ability to spread skin infections. Additionally, the fuels we burn to power our everyday lives release harmful pollution that weakens the skin’s protective barrier and triggers inflammation. Though climate change impacts everyone, children’s developing bodies and increased time outdoors make them more vulnerable to hazards that can affect their skin and overall health. This article discusses the effects of climate change on the skin and identifies ways to protect skin health.