Danger! These skin changes could threaten their lives!

Danger! These skin changes could threaten their lives!

Krone AT, Österreich - actinic keratoses are alarming skin changes that often occur in humans over 50 years and represent preliminary stages to light skin cancer. These changes usually arise from long-term UV radiation, especially for people who spend a lot of time outdoors. The symptoms include rough or crusty skin areas that can be skin -colored, reddish or brownish. The number of those affected has increased in the past decade, and in 2024 actinic keratoses were included in the list of professional diseases, reports Krone .

Particularly endangered parts of the body are the face, the ears, the hairless scalp, the neck, the cleavage, the back of the hand, the forearms and the shoulders. According to estimates, over 10 % of 60 to 70 year olds are affected in Germany, which corresponds to around 1.5 to 2.2 million people. The risk of developing an invasive skin cancer from actinic keratoses is between 0.025 % and 16 %, which underlines the urgency of early treatment, so infoPortal-hautkrebs.de .

treatment options

A promising treatment option is photodynamic therapy (PDT) that can prevent operations and secondary diseases. This therapy includes the activation of a chemical light sensitator in the degenerate cells, which kills them. The daylight PDT is almost painless and often delivers cosmetically positive results. Treatment begins with the degreasing of the affected areas and applying a chemical light protection factor, followed by the use of a light -sensitive gel.

The optimal conditions for daylight PDT are temperatures above 10 ° C and the implementation during full daylight lessons. After therapy, the skin can usually heal within a few days, and the success of the treatment becomes visible after about three months, whereby the complexion can improve up to twelve months after treatment. The assessment is carried out by treating doctors using tactile examinations, dermatoscopy and, if necessary, tissue samples.

prevention and protection

In order to prevent actinic keratoses and skin cancer, a conscious handling of UV radiation is essential. Sunbathers not only delay sunburns, but also help to prevent premature skin aging. However, it is important to note that sunscreen does not offer complete protection. Recommended ingredients are UV-B and UV-A filters. For optimal protection, the product should be generously applied to the skin 20 to 30 minutes before sun exposure.

The regular application and the recording of it every two hours, especially after bathing, are therefore crucial. According to the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, there is no health impairments from the EU available in the EU, which supports the safety of these products. Further information on skin cancer prevention and UV protection are on Gesund.bund.de Available.

It is clear that both early diagnosis and preventive measures are decisive to protect the health of the skin and reduce the risk of skin cancer.