dermatology

Rosacea is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition which principally affects the face. Rosacea causes facial redness and produces small, red, pusfilled pustules (bumps). Rosacea worsens with time if left untreated. It is often mistaken for acne or eczema, or some other skin allergy.

According to Medilexicons medical dictionary, rosacea is ” Chronic vascular and follicular dilation involving the nose and contiguous portions of the cheeks; may vary from mild but persistent erythema to extensive hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands, seen especially in men in the form of rhinophyma and of deepseated papules and pustules; accompanied by telangiectasia at the affected erythematous sites.”

Approximately 1 in every 20 Americans 14 million people are estimated to be affected with rosacea. As it is frequently misdiagnosed the incidence may be a lot higher. A Gallup survey revealed that 78% of Americans do not know anything about rosacea, its symptoms or what to do about it.

Other articles about skin conditions

What is psoriasis? What causes psoriasis?

What are skin tags? What causes skin tags?

What is eczema? What causes eczema?

what is ringworm? What is body ringworm? What is scalp ringworm?

What are pimples? How to get rid of pimples

What are blackheads? How to get rid of blackheads

What are warts? What causes warts?

What are genital warts? What causes genital warts?

What is dandruff? What causes dandruff?

What is acne? What causes acne?

What is nail fungal infection? What causes nail fungal infection?

What is skin cancer? What is melanoma?Rosacea is more common among fairskinned people of northern European ancestry. However, studies have revealed that its incidence in many parts of Asia, including the MiddleEast, South Asia, and China is growing, especially in regions that have undergone socioeconomic development in recent years. This has triggered speculation that lifestyle may be a risk factor, and not just skin color. Others say incidence has grown in those areas because healthcare and diagnosis techniques have improved.What are the signs and symptoms of rosacea?Many signs and symptoms are associated with rosacea, however they may vary considerably from persontoperson. The following signs and symptoms tend to be present in most casesFlushing (easily blushing)

This is usually the first sign of what many call prerosacea. Flushing episodes can last as long as five minutes. The blush can spread from the face down to the neck and chest. Some people say the skin feels unpleasantly hot during flushing episodes.
Facial skin hyperreactivity

Sensitive blood vessels dilate very easily to topical triggers (touch), and some other physical stimuli, such as sunlight. Many mistakenly refer to this as “sensitive skin”, but with rosacea it is sensitive blood vessels and not sensitive skin cells which cause this.
Persistent redness

Sometimes the flushing episodes may eventually be followed by bouts of persistent facial redness. The redness, like a patch of sunburn, may not go away. This occurs because hundreds of tiny blood vessels near the surface of the facial skin dilate (expand).
Spots, papules, and pustules (Inflammatory rosacea)

Small spots, papules and pustules sometimes appear on the face this is also known as inflammatory rosacea. Misdiagnosis is common because of their teenage acne appearance. However, with rosacea the skin has no blackheads, unlike acne.
Inflamed blood vessels (vascular rosacea)

As the signs and symptoms of rosacea progress and get worse, small blood vessels on the nose and cheeks swell and become visible (telangiectasia) they sometimes look like tiny spiderwebs. The skin on the face can become blotchy, similar to the skin of some alcoholics. However, it is caused by inflammation of tiny blood vessels in the surface of the skin, and not alcohol. People with rosacea may become concerned and distressed at being labeled hardened drinkers because of this. Although alcohol may trigger rosacea flareups in patients who already have rosacea, alcohol consumption is never the source of the condition.
Rhinophyma Excess facial skin around the nose

Severe rosacea can result in the thickening of facial skin, especially around the nose. The nose can become bulbous and enlarged (rhinophyma). This is a very rare complication, and tends to affect males much more than females.
Ocular rosacea

There is a burning, gritty sensation in the eyes, making them bloodshot. The inside of the eyelid may become inflamed (blepharitis) and appear scaly, causing conjunctivitis. Some people may not tolerate contact lenses and styes may develop. In very rare cases vision may become blurred. Approximately 50% of patients with rosacea experience some kind of eye irritation or symptoms.
Facial swelling

Excess fluid and proteins leak out of the blood vessels and eventually overwhelm the lymphatic system that cannot drain the leakage away fast enough. This results in fluid buildup in the facial skin. What are the causes and risk factors of rosacea? Experts are not sure what the exact causes of rosacea are. The following related factors are said to contributeAbnormalities in facial blood vessels

Skin specialists (dermatologists) suggest that a major factor is probably abnormalities in the blood vessels of the face, which cause the flushing, persistent redness and visible blood vessels. What causes the inflammation of the blood vessels is still a mystery.
Light skin color

A much higher percentage of people with fair skin develop rosacea compared to other people.
Demodex folliculorum (microscopic mite)

Demodex folliculorum lives on human skin and usually causes no problems. However, patients with rosacea have much higher numbers of these mites than others do. Experts do not know whether the mites cause the rosacea, or whether the rosacea causes the overpopulation of the mites i.e. whether the high population of demodex folliculorum is the cause or the effect of rosacea.
H. pylori bacteria

H. pylori, a bacteria found in the gut, stimulates the production of bradykinin, a protein known to cause blood vessels to dilate. Experts suggest that this bacterium may play a role in the development of rosacea.
Family history (inheritance, genes)

30% to 40% of patients with rosacea have a close relative with the condition. Unfortunately, scientists do not yet know how which genes are involved and how they are passed on.
Triggers

Some factors can aggravate rosacea or make it worse by increasing blood flow to the surface of the skin. Below are some of these factors

Hot foodsHot drinksCaffeineSpicy foodsDairy productsExtremes of temperatureSunlightHumidityWindStress, anxiety, anger, embarrassmentVigorous exerciseHot bathsSaunasCorticosteroidsSome medications such as those for treating high blood pressureAcute medical conditions such as a cold, cough, or feverSome chronic medical conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure) Alcohol alcohol does not cause rosacea, but it can be a trigger for people with the condition. Rosacea is not caused by alcohol abuse. How is rosacea diagnosed? There is no clinical test for rosacea. The GP (general practitioner) reaches a diagnosis after examining the patients skin, and asking about symptoms and triggers. The presence of enlarged blood vessels will help the physician distinguish it from other skin disorders.

The presence of a rash on the scalp or ears usually indicates a different or coexisting diagnosis. Rosacea signs and symptoms are mainly on the face.

Early diagnosis and subsequent prompt treatment significantly reduces the risk of rosaceas progression.

If the doctor suspects there may be an underlying medical condition or illness, such as lupus, blood tests may be ordered.

The GP may refer the patient to a dermatologist.What are the treatment options for rosacea? There is no cure for rosacea. However, there are various treatments which can relieve the signs and symptoms. A combination of medications and lifestyle changes generally give the best results.

The doctor may prescribe camouflage creams that mask disfigurement of the skin.

A study conducted at the University of California, Irvine, of mild to moderate rosacea patients found that Pyratine XR a nonprescription, physiciandispensed product showed improvement for all of the major signs and symptoms of rosacea.

Medications

Treatment may involve a combination of prescribed topical medications (applied to the skin) and oral drugs (swallowing pills, tablets or capsules).Topical medications these help reduce inflammation and redness and are applied to the skin either once or twice a day. They are commonly used in combination with some oral medications. Antibiotics (metronidazole), tretinoin, benzoyl peroxide and azelaic acid are examples of commonly prescribed topical medications.
Oral antibiotics for the treatment of rosacea oral antibiotics are prescribed more for the antiinflammatory properties. Oral antibiotics tend to give faster results than topical ones. Examples include *tetracycline, minocycline and erythromycin.
Isotretinoin (Accutane) this oral medication is sometimes used for severe cases of inflammatory rosacea if other treatments have not worked. Isotretinoin is a powerful drug that inhibits the production of oil by the sebaceous glands. As side effects may be severe the patient needs to be monitored closely.
Blephamide a specific type of steroid eye drop which is sometimes prescribed for patients with ocular rosacea (eye symptoms). Eye drops are applied daily for three days to one week, followed by a break or tapered use.
Tetracyclines these are sometimes prescribed for patients with symptoms of ocular rosacea. Doxycycline helps improve dryness, itching, blurred vision and photosensitivity (sensitivity to light).
*Tetracyclines are not suitable for pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers because they can cause birth defects, and may undermine normal bone development in breastfed babies. As tetracyclines may also interfere with the efficacy of oral contraceptives a barrier method of contraception, such as a condom, should be used in order to prevent pregnancy. People with a history of kidney disease should not take tetracyclines. Tetracyclines can also make the skin more sensitive to sunlight.
Laser treatment

For patients with visible blood vessels (telangiectasia) laser treatment, which uses intense pulsed light, is used to shrink them. This will be done by a dermatologist. Although the procedure may cause some pain, most patients can tolerate it without the need for an anesthetic.

Laser treatment can sometimes cause bruising, crusting of the skin, swelling, tenderness, and very rarely infection. These complications will usually disappear within a few weeks, although infection will require antibiotics.

Plastic surgery for thickened skin (rhinophyma)

If the patient develops a bulbous enlarged red nose and puffy cheeks, and possibly thick bumps on the lower half of the nose and the nearby cheek areas, he/she may be referred to a plastic surgeon. Laser or scalpel surgery may be performed to remove excess tissue and remodel the nose. A carbon dioxide laser can also be utilized to shrink the tissue.Lifestyle and home remediesThese lifestyle and home measures will contribute significantly to controlling symptoms, and should be applied in addition to any medical treatments. The key here is to minimize exposure to anything that may trigger symptoms or exacerbate them. Below is a list of measures, some of which may apply to some patientsWhen exposed to the sun wear a broadspectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15.
In wintertime protect your face with a scarf or ski mask.
Try to refrain from rubbing or touching the skin on your face.
When washing, apply a gentle cleanser to the problem areas.
Do not use any facial products that contain skin irritants or alcohol.
If your skin is sore use a moisturizer.
Only apply moisturizers after the topical medication has dried.
Only use products labeled as noncomedogenic. These do not block the oil and sweat gland openings.
Do not allow yourself to get too hot.
Avoid consuming alcoholic beverages.
An electric shaver is less likely to trigger flare ups than normal razors.
Avoid spicy foods.
Built up a list of likely foods and drinks that may be triggers and avoid them.
Green or yellow prefoundation creams and powders may help mask the skin redness.
Avoid OTC (overthecounter) steroid creams unless your doctor has included them as part of your treatment. In the medium or long term they may worsen symptoms. Stress experts say stress is an important trigger of rosacea. Any measures to reduce stress levels will help prevent flareups and existing symptoms from getting worse. Steps to reduce stress may include regular exercise, getting at least 7 hours good quality sleep every night, and eating a healthy and wellbalanced diet. As vigorous exercise is often a trigger, patients with rosacea are advised to do lowintensity exercise, such as walking or swimming. Yoga, taichi, breathing exercise, and some meditations may also help reduce stress.What are the possible complications of rosacea? Ocular rosacea

If the rosacea affects the eyes the eyelids can become inflamed (blepharitis). Treatment involves a daily application of topical antibiotic creams, and/or oral antibiotics.
Selfesteem, embarrassment and frustration

Even though rosacea is not a lifethreatening condition, its effect on appearance often leaves the patient embarrassed, frustrated, anxious, and lacking in selfconfidence. Studies indicate that over threequarters of rosacea patients are affected psychologically and emotionally.

A National Rosacea Society survey revealed that the impact of rosacea goes far deeper than physical effects it impacts the emotional health of sufferers. Fortytwo percent of respondents with rosacea felt sad or depressed about the appearance of their skin, and more than half (55 percent) said rosacea was one of their top three physical concerns as they age, second only to weight gain (in a list that included wrinkles, high cholesterol and thinning hair). Rosacea patients also take steps to hide their condition. Nearly one in six respondents made excuses and stayed home from work/social events to hide their rosacea.

Patients who are well informed about rosacea tend to cope better because they are well prepared to deal with complications or recurrences. Follow your treatment regime and all your doctors instructions carefully. Studies indicate that emotional health is generally restored when symptoms are successfully addressed this is more likely to happen if you comply with longterm medical therapy and take measures to minimize the factors that aggravate your condition.

It is important to talk to your doctor if you experience intense feelings of distress, embarrassment, or frustration. Talking to a counselor or medical social worker is also advisable.

If there is a selfhelp group in your area you may find that talking to people who share your experiences and problems may help.

If you have a flare up and find people staring at you, remember that few people know about rosacea. You can address this by explaining your rosacea and educating the starer. Staring is due to curiosity and ignorance.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that Clarcon Biological Chemistry Laboratory Inc. of Roy, Utah, is voluntarily recalling some skin sanitizers and skin protectants marketed under several different brand names because of high levels of diseasecausing bacteria found in the product during a recent inspection. The FDA is warning consumers to not use any Clarcon products.

Consumers should not use any Clarcon products and should throw these products away in household refuse. Analyses of several samples of overthecounter topical antimicrobial skin sanitizer and skin protectant products revealed high levels of various bacteria, including some associated with unsanitary conditions. Some of these bacteria can cause opportunistic infections of the skin and underlying tissues. Such infections may need medical or surgical attention, and may result in permanent damage. Examples of products that should be discarded include

Citrushield Lotion
Dermasentials DermaBarrier
Dermassentials by Clarcon Antimicrobial Hand Sanitizer
Iron Fist Barrier Hand Treatment
Skin Shield Restaurant
Skin Shield Industrial
Skin Shield Beauty Salon Lotion
Total Skin Care Beauty
Total Skin Care Work

The health of our skin one of the bodys first lines of defense against illness and injury depends upon the delicate balance between our own cells and the millions of bacteria and other onecelled microbes that live on its surface. To better understand this balance, National Institutes of Health researchers have set out to explore the skins microbiome, which is all of the DNA, or genomes, of all of the microbes that inhabit human skin. Their initial analysis, published in the journal Science, reveals that our skin is home to a much wider array of bacteria than previously thought.

The study also shows that at least among healthy people, the greatest influence on bacterial diversity appears to be body location. For example, the bacteria that live under your arms likely are more similar to those under another persons arm than they are to the bacteria that live on your forearm.

“Our work has laid an essential foundation for researchers who are working to develop new and better strategies for treating and preventing skin diseases,” said Julia A. Segre, Ph.D., of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), who was the studys senior author. “The data generated by our study are freely available to scientists around the world. We hope this will speed efforts to understand the complex genetic and environmental factors involved in eczema, psoriasis, acne, antibioticresistant infections and many other disorders affecting the skin.”

Drawing on the power of modern DNA sequencing technology and computational analysis, the research team from NHGRI, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the NIH Clinical Center uncovered a far more diverse collection of microbes on human skin than had been detected by traditional methods that involved growing microbial samples in the laboratory.

The NIH study involved taking skin samples from 20 sites on the bodies of 10 healthy volunteers. “We selected skin sites predisposed to certain dermatological disorders in which microbes have long been thought to play a role in disease activity,” said study coauthor Maria L. Turner, M.D., senior clinician in NCIs Dermatology Branch.

The researchers extracted DNA from each sample and sequenced the 16S ribosomal RNA genes, which are a type of gene that is specific to bacteria. The researchers identified more than 112,000 bacterial gene sequences, which they then classified and compared. The analysis detected bacteria belonging to 19 different phyla and 205 different genera, with diversity at the species level being much greater than expected.

To gauge how much the skin microbiome differs among healthy people, the researchers studied many different parameters. They found considerable variation in the number of bacteria species at different sites, with the most diversity being seen on the forearm (44 species on average) and the least diversity behind the ear (19 species on average).

The research also generated information that may prove useful in efforts to combat the growing problem of methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a bacterium that can cause serious, even lifethreatening, infections. While it is known that a significant proportion of people have colonies of S. aureus inside their noses, the NIH team checked to see where else on the body surface that these bacteria thrive. They found that the crease of skin outside the nose is the site with the microbial community most similar to that found inside the nose.

“Not only does our work shed new light on understanding an important aspect of skin biology, it provides yet another example of how genomic approaches can be applied to study important problems in biomedical research,” said NHGRIs Scientific Director Eric D. Green, M.D., Ph.D., who is a coauthor of the study. “This also demonstrates what can be achieved through efforts that pull together researchers from across NIH.”

NIH recently launched the Human Microbiome Project, a part of the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research, to discover what microbial communities exist in different parts of the human body and to explore how these communities change with disease. In addition to skin and nose, that project is sampling the digestive tract, the mouth and the vagina.

The skin sites selected for the Science study represent three microenvironments oily, moist and dry. The oily sites included between the eyebrows, beside the nose, inside the ear, back of the scalp, and upper chest and back. Moist areas were inside the nose, armpit, inner elbow, webbed area between the middle and ring fingers, side of the groin, top fold of the buttocks, behind the knee, bottom of the foot and the navel. Dry areas included the inside surface of the midforearm, the palm of the hand and the buttock. Researchers found that dry and moist skin had a broader variety of microbes than did oily skin. Oily skin contained the most uniform mix of microbes.

To look for changes that may occur in the skin microbiome over time, the researchers sampled some volunteers twice, with the samples being taken about four to six months apart. Most of the resampled volunteers were more like themselves over time than they were like other volunteers. However, the stability of the microbial community was dependent on the site surveyed. The greatest stability was found in samples from inside the ear and nose, and the least stability was found in samples from behind the knee.

“Our results underscore that skin is home to vibrant communities of microbial life, which may significantly influence our health,” said the studys first author, Elizabeth Grice, Ph.D., who is a postdoctoral fellow at NHGRI.

Source
Raymond MacDougall

Combining two chemotherapy drugs with trastuzumab (Herceptin) to treat women who have metastatic HER2+ breast cancer may offer physicians another choice in their treatment options.

At the 45th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), researchers from the Mayo Clinic campus in Florida report that using a combination of capecitabine, vinorelbine, and trastuzumab offers a treatment option that is at least as beneficial as other current options and doesnt cause hair loss in patients.

“This is a very well tolerated regimen. The combination is a good example of an excellent therapeutic ratio good activity and low toxicity,” says the studys senior investigator, Edith Perez, M.D., director of Mayo Clinics Breast Center in Jacksonville.

The clinical trial is the first in the United States to study this particular combination of therapies in patients with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer, researchers say. The chemotherapy regimen was previously tested in Europe and demonstrated good antitumor activity and low toxicity, so Mayo researchers combined it with Herceptin, says the studys lead author, Winston Tan, M.D., a medical oncologist at Mayo Clinic.

Sixtyseven percent of the 45 patients in this trial responded to treatment, with their tumors decreasing in size by at least 30 percent. Historic response to conventional drug regimens (one chemotherapy drug with Herceptin) that are currently used to treat metastatic HER2+ breast cancer is about 50 percent, Dr. Tan noted.

“The results are encouraging, and would support a larger, randomized Phase III study,” he says. “This is a Phase II study of this triple combination, so we would need to study this treatment against the standard best twodrug treatment in a randomized Phase III study to know if this triplet is more effective.”

“This regimen seems to be a very reasonable choice, and it offers the added advantage that women who use it do not lose their hair,” he says. The drug combination used most commonly for patients with HER2+ breast cancer that has spread paclitaxel or docetaxel with trastuzumab always causes hair loss, Dr. Tan says.

All of the agents are approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for cancer, although vinorelbine has not been approved for this particular treatment regimen in the U.S., the researchers say.

Capecitabine chemotherapy is not usually paired with trastuzumab because some studies had suggested it does not offer a synergistic, or additive, benefit. However, Dr. Tan says that newer research has shown the combination is in fact promising.

Among the patients studied, 28 (58 percent) had a partial response, a reduction in the size of the metastatic tumor of more than 30 percent by computed tomography. Four patients had a complete response with no more evidence of metastasized tumors on diagnostic scans, the researchers say.

Average survival was improved when compared historically to traditional treatment, Dr. Tan says. “Normally, survival for metastatic breast cancer is two years,” he says. “In this study, average survival was 27 months.” He cautioned that these results should be validated in a Phase III study.

“The toxicity was tolerable, no more than is seen with a twodrug regimen,” he says. The majority of patients (61 percent) experienced a low white blood count, but only about ten percent of patients had fatigue or other common side effects.

Tan stressed that this regimen does not offer curative treatment, but it offers patients an improved quality of life compared to other commonly used regimens.

“It is very difficult to treat cancer that has spread, but we believe that combining treatments together is important to help shrink tumors that are rapidly growing,” he says.

He adds that 80 percent of the patients who showed benefit had been treated with other chemotherapy drugs mostly anthracyclines and paclitaxel and at least half of the patients had used trastuzumab in the adjuvant or metastatic setting as well. “They still got a response to these combination of two chemotherapies plus the biological agent, and that is encouraging,” he says.

Source
Paul Scotti

Pale skinned people who are most at risk of skin cancer are ignoring sun safety advice, according to research released today to launch Sun Awareness Week 2009.

The survey of 1500 UK adults looked at peoples behaviour in the sun in relation to their individual risk of skin cancer, as well as their understanding of the need to check the skin for cancer, and their choice of sun protection products.

Skin types

The survey revealed that less than half (45%) of people with skin type 1 or 2 pale skin which easily sunburns and is at the greatest risk of skin cancer always use a sunscreen when out in the sun.

Three quarters (75%) of those who took part in the survey sunbathe to get a tan. Of particular concern, half (50%) of those with skin types 1 or 2 sunbathe. These skin types, who sunburn rapidly and should always use sun protection on sunny days, are strongly advised against sunbathing.

Worryingly, over a third (39%) of people who have skin types 1 or 2 admitted to having used sunbeds.

However, 30 percent of naturally dark skinned people who never sunburn said that they always wear sunscreen in sunny weather. These people could be putting themselves at risk of vitamin D deficiency.

Rebecca Freeman of the British Association of Dermatologists explains “This research shows that people with different skin types are not always protecting their skin to the appropriate level. There seems to be some confusion around which skin types need to take most care in the sun and which need minimal protection.

“Pale skin types are at the highest risk of skin cancer, but our survey shows that these people sunbathe, use sunbeds, and dont always use sunscreen in the sun. However, naturally dark skinned people, such as AfricanCaribbean or dark Asian skin types, only really need to protect their skin in intense sunshine and during prolonged sun exposure.

“In fact, these skin types are most at risk of vitamin D deficiency if sun exposure is too limited. We need to educate people about sun protection for different skin types, as it may be that we are currently using a one size fits all message that isnt appropriate for everyone.”

Checking the skin

The survey was carried out at a series of mole check clinics held by the association, which were not advertised beforehand, and all attendance was spontaneous. Despite this, 85 percent of people attending the event had a mole that was of particular concern, and yet a worrying 67 percent of them had not seen a doctor about the mole before.

Early detection is essential in the treatment of skin cancer; however an alarming two thirds (63%) of people never check their skin for changes that might indicate a skin cancer.

President of the British Association of Dermatologists Dr Mark Goodfield said “Diagnosing a skin cancer early significantly impacts on how successfully it can be treated. People should be checking their skin every month or so if you already do testicular or breast self examinations, why not check your skin at the same time? Get a friend or partner to look at your back, neck, scalp and ears as it can be hard to check these areas yourself. If you notice any changes to your skin, such as a changing mole or a wound that wont heal, get yourself to your GP.”

Sunscreen

Despite skin cancer rates increasing faster than any other cancer, with figures doubling every 10 to 20 years, a staggering one in four (25%) people who rarely or never use sunscreen also regularly sunbathe (between five and fifteen times a year).

The survey also revealed that one in seven people (15%) who use sunscreen use a low protection product of below SPF 15. Only one on four people (27%) use a high protection sunscreen (SPF 30) which is the minimum protection recommended by the British Association of Dermatologists.*

Sun Awareness campaign

The British Association of Dermatologists Sun Awareness campaign aims to educate people on early detection of skin cancer, and where to seek help if you have any concerns about your skin.

As part of this, the British Association of Dermatologists created the ABCDEasy guide to mole checks, to detect the signs of melanoma the deadliest type of skin cancer. Look out for

Asymmetry the two halves of the area may differ in shape
Border the edges of the area may be irregular or blurred, and sometimes show notches
Colour this may be uneven. Different shades of black, brown and pink may be seen
Diameter most melanomas are at least 6mm in diameter. Report any change in size, shape or diameter to your doctor
Expert if in doubt, check it out! If your GP is concerned about your skin, make sure you see a Consultant Dermatologist, the most expert person to diagnose a skin cancer. Your GP can refer you via the NHS

Survey summary

Only 45% of people with skin types 1 or 2 always use a sunscreen in the sun
75% sunbathe and 50% of those with skin types 1 or 2 sunbathe
39% of skin types 1 or 2 have used sunbeds
30% of those with naturally dark skin who never sunburn always use sunscreen in the sun
85% of participants had a mole that was of particular concern, 67% of them had never seen a doctor about the mole before
63% never check their skin for changes
25% of those who never or rarely use sunscreen regularly sunbathe
15% of those who use sunscreen only use a low protection product. Only 27% use high protection.

Note

Statistics embargoed to 00.01 on May 11th 2009.
Sun Awareness Week takes place from May 11th to 17th May. Case studies and spokespeople are available on request. The Sun Awareness campaign runs throughout the summer.

The survey of 1515 adults was conducted by the British Association of Dermatologists.