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What
Increases Your Risk?
If you have fair
skin and have spent years in the sun, a red scaly patch or cluster
of red bumps on your skin could be actinic keratoses. Individuals
who have a weakened immune system also have an increased risk.
Use the checklist to
gauge your risk factors.
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Sun Exposure: Intense
Have you had periods of intense exposure to
the sun
(spend a lot of time
outdoors in the summer or live in an area that receives
high-intensity sun year round)?
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Fair Skin
Do you have
pale white to creamy white skin? Fairer, less-pigmented skin
increases the risk of developing AKs.
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Color of Hair and
Eyes
Do you have blond or red hair? Do you have
blue, hazel, or green eyes?
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Sun Sensitivity
Do you have a tendency to freckle or burn when
exposed to sunlight?
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Age
Are you 40 years of age or older? The likelihood of
developing AKs increases with age, and lesions usually appear after
age 40. However, people who live in geographic areas with year-round
high-intensity sunlight, such as Florida or Southern California, may
develop AKs earlier. While uncommon, AKs have been diagnosed
in teenagers. Earlier occurrence may be linked to use of tanning
beds and sun lamps.
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Immunosuppression
(weak immune system)
Many factors can weaken your immune system, including
long-term exposure to sunlight, chemotherapy, taking medication to
prevent organ rejection, and AIDS. Anything that suppresses your
immune system greatly increases your risk.
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Xeroderma Pigmentosum
This is a very rare
condition characterized by an abnormality in the cells ability to
repair DNA damage. Anyone with this condition should be seen
regularly by a dermatologist.
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If sun exposure is
one of your risk factors, there is good news. It’s never too late to
begin protecting your skin from the sun - even if you have AKs.
Research shows that the skin’s recuperative powers can repair some
of the damage when fully protected from ultraviolet (UV) light. Sun
protection also can prevent further damage.
Anyone with an
increased risk for developing AKs also should be examined by a
dermatologist regularly. Additionally, the American Academy of
Dermatology recommends that everyone, regardless of risk factors,
perform regular skin self-examinations and see a dermatologist for a
screening.
You may want to
attend a free skin cancer screening sponsored by the American
Academy of Dermatology. During these screenings, which are offered
across the United States, the public can be examined for suspicious
lesions, such as AKs, and learn how to perform a skin
self-examination.
An educational program brought to you by the American Academy of
Dermatology.
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Individuals with fair skin, a history of cumulative sun
exposure, or with poor immune systems are at greatest
risk for developing AKs.
American Academy of
Dermatology |
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