Actinic Keratosis: Treat it Properly to Prevent Skin Cancer
Humankind's love affair with the sun wasn't duly noted until after World War II. Affluence and more free time meant a change in habits that included sunbathing and relaxing. However, those habits are now taking a toll on the health of many baby boomers.
A recent dermatological study that appeared in the March issue of the Archives of Dermatology states that in 2006 nonmelanoma skin cancers have affected 50% more people than in 1992. For the most part, this study comprehends keratinocyte carcinomas like basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas. The study was based on data from 2 Medicare databases and national surveys. The results showed that the majority of people being treated for this conditions were older adults, however, there were several cases of younger adults and even teenagers that had been treated for these types of carcinomas.
It was then discovered that the main cause of these cancers was the excess exposure to UV radiation, be it from direct sunlight or tanning beds. As a matter of fact, being exposed to UV radiation can lead to various skin problems that include premature aging and precancerous lesions such as actinic keratosis. This type of skin condition can lead to squamous cell carcinoma if it is left untreated.
To get a better understanding we'll need to take a close look at actinic keratosis treatment and actinic keratosis prevention and see how they can be used as a way of avoiding the development of skin cancer.
First of all, prevention is very simple: stay out of the sun. This may not be practical for most people, so using sunscreen every day is the most sensible way to protect your skin. Another protective measure is the use of long sleeved shirts and wide brimmed hats that cover a larger area of skin.
Secondly, if for any reason you suspect that you may have developed actinic keratosis, consult with your doctor. In case you're doubtful, actinic keratosis presents itself as dry, scaly patches about 1 inch in diameter. Unfortunately, many people suspect that they just have dry skin and do not seek professional help.
Actinic keratosis is a recurring problem. If you avoid solar exposure these patches will fade, however, once you've gone out into the sun again they will quickly reappear.
Skin biopsies are a must to determine how advanced your actinic keratosis is. Treatment for keratosis lesions requires the use of microdermabrasion treatments, topical chemotherapy drugs, and reduced exposure to sunlight.
You can also compliment any treatment with the use of natural skin care products to help soothe the affected area. Biological skin creams that contain snail serum will boost the rate at which your skin heals. When used in conjunction with dermatological treatments, these types of skin care products can restore the health of your skin.
Treating actinic keratosis and preventing its escalation into skin cancer is very simple. By taking steps early on, you can avoid more serious problems and also avoid the high cost of cancer treatments.
BIOSKINTREATMENT is an excellent natural skin care product that helps you treat actinic keratosis. Its star ingredient, snail serum, is responsible for healing damaged skin and boosting the production of elastin and collagen. BIOSKINTREATMENT is such an effective product that it can also help you prevent actinic keratosis.
Published February 10th, 2010
Filed in Diseases And Conditions