Bushfires could be making us itchy

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-04-22 01:00

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US and UK researchers have found a link between air pollution caused by wildfires and eczema - a common allergic skin disease that leaves people itchy and covered in a rash. The researchers discovered that people were booking in to see their dermatologist more frequently during the peak periods of fire-related air pollution, specifically for itch related to eczema. While the team cannot prove that the fires directly caused the itch, the team believes their results could help physicians to assist their patients in dealing with their skin.

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Research JAMA, Web page

Journal/
conference: JAMA Dermatology

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: University of California, San Francisco, USA

Funder: This study was supported by the UCSF Summer Explore Fellowship, the Alameda-Contra Costa Medical Association Summer Fellowship, and the UC Berkeley–UCSF Joint Medical Program Thesis Grant (Mr Fadadu).

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