Eczema is generally characterized by itchy and inflamed skin. It is more prevalent in babies and young children, but it affects teens and adults as well. The primary symptoms are itchy, dry, rough, flakey, inflamed, and irritated skin. It is not contagious and occurs in flare-ups and remissions. Eczema can occur almost anywhere in the body but is most common in the arms, inner elbows, back of the knees, and head.

A variety of things can trigger eczema symptoms. The city you live in and the weather there influence your skin health to a large extent. While healthy skin, like varnish, protects the skin, when you have eczema, the barrier is not as strong. Hence it is more likely to get irritated by weather conditions easily. Heat, cold humidity, and wind can all make your eczema worse. Cities with allergens are also a problem because allergies increase the risk of flare-ups.

1. Phoenix, Arizona
Arizona is predominantly a desert state, and Phoenix is especially hot. Most residents describe the weather as hot enough to fry eggs on the sidewalk. Arizona is the hottest city in the country, and hot weather makes the skin more irritated. Excess sweating makes the skin moist, and the heat causes flare-ups of skin conditions. On average, there are 107 days with temperatures above 99 degrees, so you know your skin will not be happy. There is a great deal of concrete and asphalt, so the city is hot even at night.

2. San Francisco, California
With an average humidity of 77.8%, San Francisco is one of the worst cities for people suffering from eczema. Dermatologists advise that the ideal humidity for those with eczema is between 30% and 50%. Sitting on California’s coast, the air here gets its moisture from the Pacific Ocean. Consequently, the salty wet air exacerbates skin conditions. The climate is typically muggy throughout the year. Additionally, the city is home to many kinds of pollen and mold that cause allergies and eczema flares.

3. McAllen, Texas
McAllen is a Texan city with sweltering summers and dry winters. And both sweating and dry skin can make eczema flare up. McAllen is also windy, and there are different kinds of pollen in the air. The people living here are susceptible to pollen from various trees like cedar, Bermuda grass, and mesquite plants, all of which cause allergies. The smoke that drifts over the city can also affect people with eczema.

4. Aberdeen, South Dakota
Aberdeen is the sixth coldest city in the country. The lack of protection from mountains or trees allows the cold wind from Canada to flow over the city. Additionally, the moist, warm air from Texas or Mexico exposes it to heat on some days. Such erratic weather in this city makes eczema patients quite uncomfortable. Aberdeen is one of the warmest of cold cities, which makes the skin dry and irritated often.