Hi, have you ever heard of Solar Keratosis?
Many of us rarely think twice about our largest organ - our skin, unless we suffer skin problems such as eczema or become sunburnt. But did you know that by taking just a minute or so longer to actually check your body over after your daily shower could in fact save your life.
Although there is more public awareness about the dangers of sunbathing, very few of us really realise just how much it can damage our health or how to be able to enjoy the sun safely without the worry of solar keratosis.
I myself had concern over a 'place' on my face just recently, and as it was only a short time before the family holiday I made an appointment with my G.P. for when we returned, and who really brought me back down to earth with a thud when he mentioned could be a Solar Keratosis - also known as Actinic Keratosis.
Realistically I know I should have attended before leaving, especially as I intended on sunbathing most days albeit safely - 30 factor sun lotion + 50 sun block over all moles and areas that easily get tender, such as shoulders and face in the high thirty degrees, a very large floppy hat and good quality sunglasses.
Eight weeks ago I had noticed what I thought initially was a spot on my cheek. I never really had spots as a teenager so I watched this spot getting bigger, patiently waiting my time so that I could squeeze it!
After squeezing the spot it turned hastily red and nasty, so I regretted touching it and it took several days to heal over, this sent my little grey cells on overtime, although I knew it did not look anything like pictures of skin cancer that I had seen, I was a little concerned.
When it had healed over it was very raised and a funny shape that several people mentioned it, but as it was not black in colour - it was extremely white and had turned very dry and horny - I ignored it.
Although it never bothered me, subconsciously my fingers would not leave it alone. On holiday I kept it covered completely with sun block as with all of my moles, but again I accidentally knocked the top of it and it healed back larger than it was previously.
Never having smoked or taken drugs - only prescribed, eat good food and drink very little alcohol, consider myself having a healthy lifestyle, but my sunbathing habits - especially in my younger days jeopardise this.
Sunbathing gives most of us the feel good factor, and a little sunshine daily is excellent for us as it allows the body to improve the manufacture of vitamin D in the skin.
Very few of us are aware of the damage that sun worshipping can have. SK or solar keratosis is becoming an increasingly common skin condition but rarely known. This condition left untreated can develop into skin cancer.
The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) recently said although despite years of warnings and increased publicity, half of Britons would not recognise the signs of a possible skin
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