Air Pollution Ups Skin Problems by 30 Percent in Delhi

In the Delhi-NCR region, air pollution has caused 30 percent rise in skin-related problems and premature aging.

Toxic high pollution in the Delhi-NCR is not only taking a toll on people's health but is also adversely affecting their skin, causing allergies, rashes and premature ageing, thereby forcing them to seek medical treatments.

Air Pollution - Pollutants - Health Effect - Efforts to Reduce
Nearly 2.4 million deaths every year are attributable to air pollution. Air pollutants may be solid particles, liquid droplets or gases. Proper planning methods should be adopted to reduce air pollution.

‘Air pollution levels are dropping to the lowest level in the Delhi-NCR region. However, doctors have observed a 30 percent rise in skin-related problems among Delhities.’

According to VK Sharma, Professor and Head, Department of Dermatology, AIIMS in New Delhi, exposure to pollution leads to early ageing of skin, pigmentation, skin irritation and other skin related problems.

Due to high pollution level, patients suffering from skin allergy experience aggravation.

"It is proven by research that high level of PM 2.5 present in the air leads to inflammation of skin. Due to high levels of pollution in Delhi, the number of patients with skin problems has gone up," Sharma said.

Exposure to Air Pollution Causes Your Lungs to Age Faster and Increases Lung Disease Risk
Exposure to outdoor air pollution causes faster aging of lung tissue, reduce lung function and increase the risk of developing the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

As the capital is turning into a gas chamber, along with respiratory, heart and other health problems, skin related problems are also rising.

With winters around the corner, the situation is only getting worse, forcing people to seek medical help.

Air Pollution May Affect Your Kidneys
Exposure to polluted air which contains harmful toxins can affect your kidneys. Air pollution may increase the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD).

"While our skin is meant to work as a protective layer and ward off environmental hazards, the current levels of pollution is way too much for it to endure, resulting in various skin problems and premature aging," said Dr Ajaya Kashyap, Medical Director, KAS Medical Centre and MedSpa in New Delhi.

"In last few days, we received a record number of patients with skin related issues and also for anti-ageing treatments, we see almost 30 per cent increase in number of patients," Kashyap stressed.

Hypertension In Childhood May Be Linked To Air Pollution Exposure In Womb
Babies in the womb exposed to high levels of pollution as a result of their mother’s breathing in polluted air during pregnancy may be at risk of developing childhood hypertension.

According to experts, since Delhi's pollution is characterized by extremely high levels of Particulate Matter (PM), reaching up to even 999 in some days, while the permissible level is 60 micrograms, it is even worse for the skin.

Source-IANS