Facial Flushing Called 'Jusa Dermatitis' Should Not Be Neglected... 6 Times Higher Risk of Skin Cancer

Seoul Boramae Hospital Dermatology Research Team Studies 11,420 Patients
Specialist Consultation Urged for Chronic Inflammatory Skin Diseases

[Image source=Getty Images]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] A study has found that the risk of developing skin cancer significantly increases if chronic inflammatory skin disease 'Jusa dermatitis' persists.

On the 1st, Professor Cho So-yeon’s research team from the Department of Dermatology at Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, operated by Seoul National University Hospital, announced the results of a study comparing the risk of skin cancer development between 11,420 participants involved in Jusa dermatitis-related research from 2010 to 2019 and a normal control group. Jusa dermatitis is a skin disease that occurs in the central areas of the face such as the cheeks, nose, and lips, with main symptoms including facial flushing, telangiectasia, raised skin lesions smaller than 1 cm, pus, and swelling.

The study found that patients diagnosed with Jusa dermatitis had a 2.7 times higher risk of developing actinic keratosis and a 6.0 times higher risk of developing skin cancer (squamous cell carcinoma) compared to the control group without the condition.

Actinic keratosis is a hardened keratin symptom that appears on the skin surface after prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays. It is so hard that it is difficult to remove by hand and mainly occurs on the face, lower lips, ears, back of the neck, arms, backs of the hands, and scalp. If left untreated, actinic keratosis can progress to skin cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma refers to non-melanoma skin cancer originating from keratin-forming cells of the skin epidermis.

Although the cause of Jusa dermatitis has not yet been identified, the research team pointed to long-term ultraviolet exposure as the link leading to the development of actinic keratosis and skin cancer. Professor Cho So-yeon stated, "This study confirmed that Jusa dermatitis not only leaves permanent damage on the skin but also increases the risk of developing skin cancer," and recommended, "If symptoms suspected of Jusa dermatitis appear, one should visit a specialist promptly for diagnosis and treatment."

The results of this study were recently published in the international journal Acta Dermato-Venereologica, issued by the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.