Effect of climatic change in children with atopic eczema

Abstract

The change from a subartic/temperate to a subtropical climate for 4 weeks improved significantly skin symptoms (SCORAD) and quality of life, even for 3 months after return.

Vitamin D as an adjunctive therapy in asthma. Part 2: A review of human studies

“…Nevertheless, a randomized trial of Norwegian children with atopic eczema demonstrated significant improvements after 4 weeks in a sunny climate [26]. Further, an observational study in 2007 of Spanish asthmatic children revealed that health related quality of life was highest in summer and lowest in autumn [60].…”

Environmental risk factors and their role in the management of atopic dermatitis

“…First, it facilitates conversion of transurocanic acid, a breakdown product of filaggrin, into the cis-urocanic acid isoform that has immunosuppressive effects [45]. Moreover, UVA and UVB may suppress superantigen production by S. aureus [83]. UVB also stimulates cutaneous synthesis of previtamin D from 7-dehydrocholesterol.…”

“…Yet, until recently, there was little evidence to support this notion. One study found that relocating children with AD from the home subarctic/temperate climate of Norway to a subtropical climate in Gran Canary for 4 weeks improved skin symptoms and quality of life [3,[83][84][85][86][87][88]. The climate in a given geographic location is determined by a combination of multiple factors, including temperature, humidity, and precipitation, as well as related factors, such as ultraviolet (UV) exposure.…”

Epidermal Barrier: Negative Changes in Atopic Dermatitis and Positive Changes Induced by Short-term Suberythemal Ultraviolet B Irradiation

“…A significant reduction in clinical signs and symptoms, an improvement in the quality of life index, and reduced use of topical corticosteroids was observed in the children that moved into a tropical zone after 4 weeks and 3 months (p<0.0005) [54]. The study results suggest that enough doses of UVB radiation to generate sufficient vitamin D synthesis have the potential to treat AD.…”

“…Byremo et al [54] conducted a study in which 30 randomly selected children from 4-13 years of age with severe AD in Norway (subarctic/temperate climate) moved into a tropical zone for 4 weeks and the other 26 children remained in Norway, then were followed up for 3 months. A significant reduction in clinical signs and symptoms, an improvement in the quality of life index, and reduced use of topical corticosteroids was observed in the children that moved into a tropical zone after 4 weeks and 3 months (p<0.0005) [54].…”