Do you experience scaly, itchy, or dry skin? Are you prone to frequent eczema flare-ups? The city you live in might be causing it. Research says that environmental factors like wind, heat, high altitude, and humidity can affect your skin. Another factor is pollution. Skin health and pollution are interlinked, and it can make your skin sensitive, dry, and itchy. Below, we’ve listed a few highly polluted cities that are the worst for eczema.

1. Charlotte, North Carolina
Because of its alarmingly high pollution and ozone levels, Charlotte is one of the worst places for people with eczema. In 2010, the American Lung Association ranked it one of the worst for ozone pollution. The problem may be triggered by the lack of proper airflow across the city on hot summer days. The growing population and increasing number of coal-powered plants are to be equally blamed.

2. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
This is another city that was labeled one of the worst polluted by the American Lung Association. Pittsburgh has the most alarming concentrations of soot, ash, chemicals, aerosols, diesel exhaust, and metals, affecting its residents’ skin health. According to some sources, inhaling the air is equivalent to smoking a cigarette.

3. St. Louis, Missouri
The pollution levels in St. Louis are higher than the WHO-specified limits. Thus, besides posing other health hazards, it’s also one of the worst cities for people with skin sensitivity issues, such as eczema.

4. Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles is our country’s second-most populous city. It also ranks high in the list of places with maximum high-ozone days. The town has around 92.3 such days, which accounts for over one-fourth of the year. And since a ring of mountains envelop LA, the basin traps the pollutants released from the magnanimous traffic on the streets.

5. Bakersfield, California
This is another city in California to stay away from if you feel air pollution might be causing your eczema symptoms to flare. Bakersfield is home to several high-emission industries, such as fossil-fuel energy production and agriculture. In addition, its geographic location causes the polluted air to get trapped in the valley.

6. Phoenix, Arizona
The poor air quality in Phoenix, Arizona, is mainly attributed to the region’s high ozone days. Particle pollution is another contributor. The environment is filled with tiny particles from forest fires, coal-based energy plants, diesel emissions, and wood-burning devices.

Besides poor air quality, some of the cities listed here have fewer dermatologists per capita. Consequently, for someone with eczema, the wait to see the doctor may be longer than you would appreciate, aggravating the symptoms. Skin health and pollution are linked, and staying away from these cities is your best bet to manage the condition.