High concentrations of PM2.5 pollution not only irritate the respiratory system, but can also trigger atopic dermatitis (eczema) attacks in children, Taipei City Hospital pediatrician Lung Hou-ling (龍厚玲) said.
Lung said that a two-year-old was diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, but that his skin had been healthy until the beginning of winter.
The boy, nicknamed Yoyo, repeatedly suffered from red rashes on his cheeks, neck, joints and stomach, often scratching so much he could not sleep well at night, but his parents only had access to ointment from the hospital.
Lung, who treated Yoyo, said that after eliminating the possibility of dust mites and food allergies, and analyzing other possible causes, she discovered that Yoyo’s acute attacks coincided with the nation’s high PM2.5 level alerts.
Yoyo and his family live near a busy street and his mother often takes him outside for walks in the neighborhood.
Yoyo was exposed to the outdoor air nearly every day, Lung said, adding that his sensitive skin was directly irritated by pollution when PM2.5 concentration levels increased.
“People with atopic dermatitis have a genetic defect impairing their filaggrin proteins and ceramide function, and their skin lacks sufficient protection against environmental stimuli,” she said.
“High concentrations of PM2.5 can irritate damaged skin, causing crowds of immune cells to gather, which intensifies inflammation and itching,” she added.
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