SCHAUMBURG, Ill., May 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At first glance, Hartford, Salt Lake City and Denver might not seem to have much in common. But a new survey by the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) found these three cities outshine other U.S. cities in heeding dermatologists' advice on preventing and detecting skin cancer.
The rankings of the 26 U.S. metropolitan cities are as follows:
No. 1 - Hartford
No. 2 - Salt Lake City
No. 3 - Denver
No. 4 - Tampa
No. 5 - Boston
No. 6 - Phoenix
No. 7 - Atlanta
No. 8 - Philadelphia
No. 9 - Portland
No. 10 - Baltimore
No. 11 - Dallas
No. 12 - Houston
No. 13 - Miami
No. 14 - San Francisco
No. 15 - Washington, DC
No. 16 - Detroit
No. 17 - San Diego
No. 18 - Cincinnati
No. 19 - New York City
No. 20 - Minneapolis
No. 21 - St. Louis
No. 22 - Los Angeles
No. 23 - Seattle
No. 24 - Cleveland
No. 25 - Chicago
No. 26 - Pittsburgh
The "Suntelligence: How Sun Smart is Your City?" online survey polled more than 7,000 adults nationwide to determine their knowledge, attitudes and behaviors toward tanning, sun protection and skin cancer detection. Twenty-six cities were ranked based on respondents' answers to several questions in each category.
"One common thread we found encouraging is that the majority of people polled expressed concern about skin cancer and had awareness of the importance of proper sun protection," said dermatologist William D. James, MD, FAAD, president of the Academy. "However, we found that people's behaviors did not always correlate with their concerns."
While Hartford, Salt Lake City and Denver ranked No. 1, 2 and 3, respectively, Cleveland, Chicago and Pittsburgh fell to the bottom of the sun-smart spectrum with rankings of 24, 25 and 26, respectively. When results for these cities were compared to the average collective responses for all survey respondents, significant differences were observed in the top- and bottom-ranked cities.
Hartford respondents excelled in their knowledge of sun protection and the risks associated with tanning, scoring above the average of adults overall. For example, only about one-third of respondents (35 percent) nationwide correctly answered the question that asked whether some types of ultraviolet (UV) rays are safe for your skin. Forty-two percent of Hartford respondents knew that this statement was not true – that all forms of UV exposure, from natural sunlight and artificial light sources such as tanning beds – are harmful.
Similarly, residents of Salt Lake City, Denver and Hartford all scored better than the national average when they disagreed with the statement that they are not too concerned about skin cancer because it is easily detected and treated. Overall, 76 percent of respondents nationwide disagreed with this statement, while 85 percent of respondents from Salt Lake City disagreed.
"While skin cancer can be successfully treated if detected early, the five-year survival rate for individuals with regional and distant stage melanomas are 65 percent and 16 percent, respectively. That's why people must be vigilant about protecting their skin from sun exposure and aware of the early warning signs of skin cancer," said Dr. James.
However, when examining skin cancer detection behaviors, nationally 59 percent of respondents had never been screened for skin cancer by a health-care provider. Respondents from Pittsburgh and Chicago fared even worse, with 69 percent of Pittsburgh respondents and 67 percent from Chicago admitting they had never had an examination. On the other hand, 48 percent of Hartford residents had never undergone a skin examination.
Despite dermatologists' repeated warnings about the dangers of tanning, Dr. James added that respondents in last-place Pittsburgh scored significantly worse than the overall average when asked if people look more attractive with a tan. Specifically, 81 percent of Pittsburgh respondents agreed with this statement compared to 72 percent of the general public.
"We're hoping the results of this survey will draw attention to the public's need to change its attitudes toward tanning, which is the first step in changing behavior," said Dr. James. "Our data show that most people are concerned about skin cancer, but they still need to modify their attitudes, behavior and knowledge to reduce their risk."
To minimize your risk of skin cancer, the Academy recommends that everyone Be Sun Smart®:
Generously apply a broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30 to all exposed skin. "Broad-spectrum" provides protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Re-apply approximately every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.
Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, where possible.
Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade.
Protect children from sun exposure by playing in the shade, using protective clothing, and applying sunscreen.
Use extra caution near water, snow and sand as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun which can increase your chance of sunburn.
Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that may include vitamin supplements. Don't seek the sun.
Avoid tanning beds. Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds can cause skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look like you've been in the sun, consider using a sunless self-tanning product, but continue to use sunscreen with it.
Check your birthday suit on your birthday. If you notice anything changing, growing, or bleeding on your skin, see a dermatologist. Skin cancer is very treatable when caught early.
Monday, May 3, is Melanoma Monday® and the official launch of Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month®. Visit www.melanomamonday.org to take the Academy's "Suntelligence" survey, as well as to find out how to perform a skin self-exam, download a body mole map or find free skin cancer screenings in your area.
Headquartered in Schaumburg, Ill., the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more than 16,000 physicians worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails. For more information, contact the Academy at 1-888-462-DERM (3376) or www.aad.org.
The "Suntelligence" survey was conducted for the Academy by RH Research of Chicago from January 12 to January 31, 2010. A total of 7,116 respondents completed the online survey; more than 200 completes were conducted in each of the 26 selected MSAs (metropolitan statistical area) and an additional 1,123 completes were conducted in the U.S. outside of the MSAs. The survey's margin of error was +/-1.2 percent for national data and +/-6.9 percent for results stratified by MSA.
SOURCE American Academy of Dermatology
Showing posts with label sunburn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sunburn. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Friday, July 31, 2009
Mayo Clinic Tips to Prevent (or Soothe) Summer Skin Problems
ROCHESTER, Minn. -- Summer isn't always fun in the sun. Intense sunlight, hot and humid temperatures, poisonous plants and biting insects can cause a host of skin problems. The June issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource offers ways to prevent and treat common summer skin problems.
Heat rash (miliaria rubra): Heat rash occurs when sweat ducts become plugged and trap perspiration beneath the skin. The rash appears as clusters of red spots or small, blisterlike bumps that are extremely itchy or prickly. Heat rash typically develops in skin folds or wherever clothing causes friction.
Prevention methods -- Dressing in soft, lightweight, loose-fitting cotton clothing can help prevent heat rash. Avoiding powders and heavy creams can help, too; these products can block skin pores.
Treatment -- Sweat reduction and keeping the skin cool help clear up the rash. (Think air conditioning.) Cool-water compresses, calamine lotion or over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream can help reduce itching.
Polymorphous light eruption (PMLE): This rash typically appears within hours after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or commercial tanning beds. It appears as itchy red spots on the front of the neck, on the chest, arms and thighs.
People with fair skin and limited sun exposure in the winter are most susceptible. With increasing sun exposure, this type of light sensitivity usually decreases over time. But the same rash may recur next spring after a winter without sun exposure.
Prevention -- Using sunblock and limiting sun exposure can reduce the risk of PMLE.
Treatment -- Cool compresses, hydrocortisone cream and anti-inflammatory medications (Advil, Motrin, others) can help relieve symptoms. PMLE usually clears up on its own in seven to 10 days. When symptoms don't improve, patients should check with a doctor to consider other conditions or possible allergies.
Poison ivy and poison oak: Contact with these plants causes red, swollen skin, blisters and severe itching within days or weeks of exposure. These plants produce an oily substance called urushiol, which causes an allergic reaction in most people. Urushiol can stick to almost anything, including clothes, pet fur, and even gardening tools.
Prevention -- Avoidance is the best prevention. Since leaves from both plants grow in groups of three, a helpful catch phrase to remember is "leaves of three, let them be." For high-risk activities -- hiking or camping -- some dermatologists recommend an over-the-counter skin product that contains bentoquatam, which prevents urushiol from penetrating the skin.
Treatment -- Immediately washing with soap and water after exposure can help. For a mild rash, cool showers, calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream can relieve symptoms. For severe rashes, or rashes that involve the face, eyes or genitals, a doctor's care is advised. Prescription medications, such as an oral corticosteroid, may be needed to reduce itching and swelling.
Chigger and tick bites: Chiggers -- tiny red mites found in grass and weeds -- attach to the skin and feed on fluids in the skin cells. They fall off in a few days, leaving behind itchy red welts where they were attached. Redness and intense itching can last for weeks.
Ticks, most often found in grassy or wooded areas, are dark in color. They range from the size of a poppy seed to a pencil eraser. They leave behind red bumps or other skin reactions. And they can transmit Lyme disease, characterized by a distinctive bull's-eye rash, flulike symptoms and aching joints.
Prevention -- Protective clothing, long sleeves and long pants tucked into socks or shoes can keep bugs at bay. Insect repellants containing DEET offer protection. After a person is outdoors, a shower can wash away chiggers or unattached ticks. When ticks have burrowed into the skin, they need to be pulled off carefully with tweezers.
Treatment -- Over-the-counter hydrocortisone can relieve itching from chigger bites. For rashes that spread or seem to be infected, a doctor's care is needed. For tick bites, or when symptoms of Lyme disease are present, consultation with a physician is advised. Antibiotics are necessary to treat Lyme disease.
Heat rash (miliaria rubra): Heat rash occurs when sweat ducts become plugged and trap perspiration beneath the skin. The rash appears as clusters of red spots or small, blisterlike bumps that are extremely itchy or prickly. Heat rash typically develops in skin folds or wherever clothing causes friction.
Prevention methods -- Dressing in soft, lightweight, loose-fitting cotton clothing can help prevent heat rash. Avoiding powders and heavy creams can help, too; these products can block skin pores.
Treatment -- Sweat reduction and keeping the skin cool help clear up the rash. (Think air conditioning.) Cool-water compresses, calamine lotion or over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream can help reduce itching.
Polymorphous light eruption (PMLE): This rash typically appears within hours after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or commercial tanning beds. It appears as itchy red spots on the front of the neck, on the chest, arms and thighs.
People with fair skin and limited sun exposure in the winter are most susceptible. With increasing sun exposure, this type of light sensitivity usually decreases over time. But the same rash may recur next spring after a winter without sun exposure.
Prevention -- Using sunblock and limiting sun exposure can reduce the risk of PMLE.
Treatment -- Cool compresses, hydrocortisone cream and anti-inflammatory medications (Advil, Motrin, others) can help relieve symptoms. PMLE usually clears up on its own in seven to 10 days. When symptoms don't improve, patients should check with a doctor to consider other conditions or possible allergies.
Poison ivy and poison oak: Contact with these plants causes red, swollen skin, blisters and severe itching within days or weeks of exposure. These plants produce an oily substance called urushiol, which causes an allergic reaction in most people. Urushiol can stick to almost anything, including clothes, pet fur, and even gardening tools.
Prevention -- Avoidance is the best prevention. Since leaves from both plants grow in groups of three, a helpful catch phrase to remember is "leaves of three, let them be." For high-risk activities -- hiking or camping -- some dermatologists recommend an over-the-counter skin product that contains bentoquatam, which prevents urushiol from penetrating the skin.
Treatment -- Immediately washing with soap and water after exposure can help. For a mild rash, cool showers, calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream can relieve symptoms. For severe rashes, or rashes that involve the face, eyes or genitals, a doctor's care is advised. Prescription medications, such as an oral corticosteroid, may be needed to reduce itching and swelling.
Chigger and tick bites: Chiggers -- tiny red mites found in grass and weeds -- attach to the skin and feed on fluids in the skin cells. They fall off in a few days, leaving behind itchy red welts where they were attached. Redness and intense itching can last for weeks.
Ticks, most often found in grassy or wooded areas, are dark in color. They range from the size of a poppy seed to a pencil eraser. They leave behind red bumps or other skin reactions. And they can transmit Lyme disease, characterized by a distinctive bull's-eye rash, flulike symptoms and aching joints.
Prevention -- Protective clothing, long sleeves and long pants tucked into socks or shoes can keep bugs at bay. Insect repellants containing DEET offer protection. After a person is outdoors, a shower can wash away chiggers or unattached ticks. When ticks have burrowed into the skin, they need to be pulled off carefully with tweezers.
Treatment -- Over-the-counter hydrocortisone can relieve itching from chigger bites. For rashes that spread or seem to be infected, a doctor's care is needed. For tick bites, or when symptoms of Lyme disease are present, consultation with a physician is advised. Antibiotics are necessary to treat Lyme disease.
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