Skin conditions such as eczema are uncomfortable and often embarrassing due to excessive itching, rashes and dry skin. Known scientifically as atopic dermatitis, eczema is often associated with allergy sufferers and can be greatly affected by environmental factors. The nature of atopic dermatitis means that the dermal layer if the skin is weakened and more susceptible to irritants.
These can include, pollution, dry conditions, excess heat and overly humid weather. This means location can affect the condition:

1. Oxnard, CA
Located just 60 miles from Los Angeles which has the highest number of high ozone days annually, Oxnard too is prone to high pollution levels. These pollutants can be very irritating to those with skin conditions and contribute to dry skin problems. The dry hot summers in Oxnard are also damaging to the skin. With threatening environmental issues Oxnard further suffers from a low number of dermatologists in the region with only 23 specialists listed.

2. Amarillo, TX
As cities go Amarillo is actually not too bad in terms of air pollution, scoring an impressive 74 out of 100 in average pollution tests. The average US city can only manage around 56 out of 100. The city does, however, have cold dry winter months which can dry out the skin leaving it prone to atopic dermatitis flares. Summers are cooler in Amarillo than in some areas of Texas and tend to be wetter. This does minimize sun exposure but can lead to humid conditions that can irritate skin issues. Due to the lower sunshine levels locals do tend to turn to sunbeds more often which can be harmful.

3. Chattanooga, TN
The general temperature range for Chattanooga is 34-84F meaning that both cold and heat can affect skin issues while outside. In terms of rainfall the levels are consistent throughout the year so humidity can also be an issue if people do not actively keep skin free of standing moisture in warm conditions. In general the city has good air quality, better in fact than Amarillo. However, in recent years the quality has been decreasing so it could start to become an issue.

4. Toledo, OH
With hot humid summers and cold damp winters Toledo does not have a skin friendly climate. Consistent rain or snowfall all year does mean people do not tend to get excessive UV exposure but high summer temps do mean on sunny days it can be damaging. The local air quality is in general good but like most major cities it is not completely perfect so air pollution can still be a factor especially in the summer months.

5. Cape Coral, FL
Dry warm winters in Cape Coral can have an impact on skin conditions as can the temptation to sunbathe on the many beaches around this city. Summers are very hot and humid which can be a serious irritant to delicate skin types. Air pollution is fairly low although there are issues with water pollutants in this coastal city. This means swimming in some areas may cause exposure to harmful pollutants.