Influence of age, gender, educational level and self-estimation of skin type on sun exposure habits and readiness to increase sun protection.

Jan 2013

Falk M, Anderson CD.

Source

Research and Development Unit for Local Health Care, County of Östergötland, 581 85 Linköping, Sweden; Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Community Medicine, Primary Care, Linköping University, 581 85 Linköping, Sweden. Electronic address: magnus.falk@lio.se.

Abstract

Background: Sun exposure habits and the propensity to undertake sun protection differ between individuals. Not least in primary prevention of skin cancer, aiming at reducing ultraviolet (UV) exposure, knowledge about these factors may be of importance. The aim of the present study was to investigate, in a primary health care (PHC) population, the relationship between sun exposure habits/sun protection behaviour/readiness to increase sun protection and gender, age, educational level and skin UV-sensitivity. 

Methods: The baseline data from a previously performed RCT on skin cancer prevention was used. 415 patients, aged >18 years, visiting a PHC centre in southern Sweden, filled-out a questionnaire mapping sun exposure, readiness to increase sun protection according to the Transtheoretical Model of Behaviour Change (TTM), and the above mentioned factors. 

Results: Female gender was associated with more frequent suntanning (p<0.001) and sunbed use (p<0.05), but also with more extensive sunscreen use (p<0.001). High age was in general associated with low level of sun exposure and high level of protection. Subjects with low educational level reported less frequent sunscreen use than those with higher educational level, and also chose lower SPF (p<0.001). For almost all parameters, high skin UV-sensitivity was associated with markedly lower sun exposure (p<0.001) and more pronounced readiness to increase sun protection. Females and subjects with high educational level reported higher readiness to increase sunscreen use than males and subjects with lower educational level (p<0.001). 

Conclusions: Gender, age, educational level and skin type appear to be important factors affecting sun exposure habits and sun protection behaviour, which supports the idea of appropriate mapping of these factors in patients in order to individualise sun protection advice according to the individual patient situation and capabilities.

PubMed

Management of ulcers in lymphedematous limbs

Management of ulcers in lymphoedematous limbs.

2012

Karnasula VM.

Source

Department of Plastic Surgery, G.S.L. Medical College, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Abstract

Lymphedema is a progressive condition that can have a marked physical and psychological impact on affected patients and significantly reduce the quality of life. The ulcers on chronic lymphoedema patient, which often also makes it impossible for them to work. If left untreated, tends to progress or worsen. Ulcers in lymphoedema patients, therefore, represent not only a medical but also a psychological problem. The treatment is often regarded as being worse than it actually is. In our study of more than 25 years shows around 10% cases are due to chronic lymphodema. Ulcers of chronic lymphoedema are classified into four stages according to their presentation. Their management depends upon their stage of presentation. Patients with chronic lymphoedema and ulceration require a different approach to treatment. The specific issues associated with managing the patient with lymphoedematous ulceration include, limb shape distortion i.e., elephantiasis, care of the skin creases and folds, and swelling of the toes and fore foot. Stage I ulcers will heal with conservative treatment without any surgical intervention. Stage II ulcers needs debridement of the wound and split-thickness skin grafting. The most difficult to treat are the stage III and IV ulcers, due to associated skin changes and reduced vascularity. These cases need debulking along with excision of the ulcer. In order to prevent recurrence of the ulcer in all the four stages needs prolonged follow-up and limb care.

Full Text Article

NIH - Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery

Skin care management in cancer patients: an evaluation of quality of life and tolerability

Skin care management in cancer patients: an evaluation of quality of life and tolerability

April 2011

Ann Cameron Haley, Cara Calahan, Mona Gandhi, Dennis P. West, Alfred Rademaker,and Mario E. Lacouture

Abstract

^{Keywords:  Skin care, Chemotherapy, Cancer, Dry skin, Radiation therapy, Skin irrations, HFSR}
Purpose: The objective of this study is to evaluate quality of life (QoL) and tolerability of three articles specifically developed for cancer skin care management (skin moisturizer, face moisturizer, and face wash).

Methods: Participants were cancer patients (n=99) receiving systemic anticancer therapies and/or radiotherapy at Northwestern University. Subjects were assessed at the initial visit for adverse skin reactions based on the National Cancer Institute’s Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.0 and completed the Skindex-16 questionnaire, a self-reported dermatology-specific QoL instrument. All subjects were provided with three test articles and were instructed to use each test article once daily for 4 weeks. At the 4-week follow-up (n=77), the Skindex-16 was readministered, adverse skin reactions were assessed, and tolerability questionnaires were administered for each article used.

Results: Dry skin, hand–foot skin reaction (HFSR), and skin rash (dermatitis) decreased significantly from baseline to follow-up. Presence of nail changes, skin rash (desquamation), and acne/acneiform eruptions did not significantly change from baseline. Subjects had a significantly lower mean overall Skindex-16 score at 4-week follow-up when compared to baseline. Most patients rated their overall experience with each test article as good or very good (highest rating).

Conclusion: Skin care in cancer patients is suboptimal in part due to a lack of products and knowledge specific for this population. Our findings suggest that QoL improves with test article use, all of which were rated as good/very good for tolerability. Moreover, skin toxicity as manifested by dry skin, hand-foot skin reaction, and skin rash (dermatitis) were decreased with use of test articles within 4 weeks.

Full Text

NIH - Springer

Complex Decongestive Physiotherapy Treats Skin Changes like Hyperkeratosis Caused by Lymphedema.

2012

Kaba H, Bakar Y, Ozdemir OÇ, Sertel S.

Source

School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Abant Izzet Baysal University, 14280 Bolu, Turkey.

Abstract

Lymphedema is a chronic, progressive, and often debilitating condition. Primary lymphedema is a lymphatic malformation developing during the later stage of lymph angiogenesis. Secondary lymphedema is the result of obstruction or disruption of the lymphatic system, which can occur as a consequence of tumors, surgery, trauma, infection, inflammation, and radiation therapy. Here, we report a 64-year-old woman presenting with hyperkeratosis, a lymphedema due to metastatic uterus carcinoma. In this paper, we present the effects of complex decongestive physiotherapy on lymphedema and hyperkeratosis.

PubMed

Psoriasis Images

Psoriasis Images

Back



Knees



Hands


Palm



Lower Leg



Foot



Arm

Safety and efficacy of personal care products containing colloidal oatmeal.

2012

Criquet M, Roure R, Dayan L, Nollent V, Bertin C.

Source

Johnson & Johnson Santé Beauté France, Issy les Moulineaux, France.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Colloidal oatmeal is a natural ingredient used in the formulation of a range of personal care products for relief of skin dryness and itchiness. It is also used as an adjunctive product in atopic dermatitis. The safety of personalcare products used on vulnerable skin is of particular importance and the risk of developing further skin irritations and/or allergies should be minimized.

METHODS:

In a series of studies, we tested the safety of personal care products containing oatmeal (creams, cleansers, lotions) by assessing their irritant/allergenic potential on repeat insult patch testing, in safety-in-use and ocular studies using subjects with nonsensitive and sensitive skin. We also tested the skin moisturizing and repair properties of an oatmeal-containing skin care product for dry skin.

RESULTS:

We found that oatmeal-containing personal care products had very low irritant potential as well as a very low allergenic sensitization potential. Low-level reactions were documented in 1.0% of subjects during the induction phase of repeat insult patch testing; one of 2291 subjects developed a persistent but doubtful low-level reaction involving edema during the challenge phase in repeat insult patch testing. No allergies were reported by 80 subjects after patch testing after in-use application. Sustained skin moisturizing was documented in subjects with dry skin that lasted up to 2 weeks after product discontinuation.

CONCLUSION:

Our results demonstrate that colloidal oatmeal is a safe and effective ingredient in 

Dove Press

Common Skin Infections

Common Skin Infections

Nathaniel C. Cevasco

Kenneth J. Tomecki

Bacterial infections

Humans are natural hosts for many bacterial species that colonize the skin as normal flora.Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes are infrequent resident flora, but they account for a wide variety of bacterial pyodermas. Predisposing factors to infection include minor trauma, preexisting skin disease, poor hygiene, and, rarely, impaired host immunity.

Impetigo

Definition and Etiology

Impetigo is a superficial skin infection usually caused by S. aureus and occasionally by S. pyogenes.

Prevalence and Risk Factors

Impetigo affects approximately 1% of children.

Pathophysiology and Natural History

S. aureus produces a number of cellular and extracellular products, including exotoxins and coagulase, that contribute to the pathogenicity of impetigo, especially when coupled with preexisting tissue injury. Impetigo commonly occurs on the face (especially around the nares) or extremities after trauma.

**Also included in this article:

Folliculitis, Furunculosis, Carbunculosis, Candidiasis, Ecthyma, Erysipelas, Cellulitis, Necrotizing Fasciitis, Dermatophytosis, Herpes Zoster, Tinea (Pityriasis) Versicolor, Viral infections**

Cleveland Clinic