Actinic keratosis is a rough, scaly patch or bump on the skin. It’s also known as a solar keratosis. Actinic keratoses are very common, and many people have them. They are caused by ultraviolet (UV) damage to the skin.
by Mike Easton
There is a great deal of misunderstanding in the equine world in respect to dry spots and what they indicate. Not all dry spots are bad, but you have to understand the mitigating factors, and learn to read what the dry spots are telling you.
Much has transpired over the years with changes in horse conformation and the traditional saddle trees. It used to be trees were only available in two or three types. The only consideration given was to width and very little to bar angle and bar twist. Then, as the purebred industry grew, saddle makers were often tree makers and the good ones started to adjust the trees for the new types of horses that were being bred.
Dog Skin Problems. The sound of a dog constantly scratching or licking can be as irritating as nails. DRY SPOTS DO NOT ALWAYS MEAN YOU HAVE PRESSURE POINTS! The lowest point of the back behind the withers is at Thoracic Vertebrae 7&8. This is the part of the back with most up and down movement. Side-to-side movement of the vertebral column increases as you move away from this center of movement.
The whole focus was to change the trees so even pressure existed under all points of the tree bars to carry weight correctly. Today, this has progressed to the point where some of the good saddle makers have as many as 20 different kinds of combinations. However, most commercial companies generally only have 5-7. Slots for real money casinoslotsfest.com.
When it comes to saddle fit, at 5 Star we generally feel there is no such thing as a 'perfect fit' because the condition of the horse changes so much throughout the year. In the northern states and Canada, where winter becomes a 'put the horse up and get fluffy on hay and grain,' this is especially true.
With all of the afore-mentioned, the dry spot on the horse and pad is where the bulk of the pressure is being exerted from riding, fit, or both, or over-cinching.
What one really wants to see with a good pad that will wick moisture is a nice pattern of dryness demonstrating the shape of the entire bar(s) of the saddle! When one has been using pad material that has synthetic fiber or foam, wicking is limited and/or impossible, so dry spots normally will not show up. And if they do with synthetic material there is a terrible saddle fit issue because so much heat is being generated from a pressure point area that no moisture is being allowed to deposit. If this continues, permanent or semi-permanent damage to the area could occur.
Now if one does not have dryness that shows a complete bar pattern from a wicking material, and only isolated dry spots, one knows this is where the greatest amount of pressure exists. Size and location (normally on shoulder points) give clues as to whether the saddle tree is too wide, too narrow, poor twist, broken and/or a combination.
So with wool pads, to begin with, one wants to see dryness. And if the dry spots (with reasonable pressure) do not seem to be making the horse sore after a ride, no harm is being done. However, if tenderness does exist the saddle is the first place one deals with in clearing up the issue.
Given the fact that saddles are expensive, and if they fit and the animal dies, the luxury of replacing them is not always possible–so one must be practical about padding. While I must point out that no matter how excellent the pad, it will never replace a well-fitting saddle, it can help alleviate some of the issues of a poorly-fitting saddle (as evidenced by dry spots) in the short term.
In conclusion, while dry spots can be an indication of a poorly-fitting saddle or a poor choice of padding material, with a good-quality pad made out of a wicking material such as wool, dry spots can be a sign that everything is working together as it should, if you know what to look for. Keep this in mind, check your horse regularly for soreness–and learn to read the dry spots.
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Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.By Ellen Marmur, MD
This underrecognized precancer often thought of as “sunspots” frequently goes unnoticed.
We all know someone who fits the bill: fair skinned, covered in “sunspots” after having spent their younger days soaking up the sun, getting a nice bronze tan (or sunburn) while unwittingly bathing in harmful ultraviolet rays. While education around skin cancer has increased dramatically, it doesn’t help the generations of sun worshippers for whom the damage already has been done. I know because I’m a former sun worshipper who has survived skin cancer. For the people described above, proactive skin care and screening is essential.
One of the most common, but also most unknown, precancers of the skin is actinic keratosis (AK). When I ask people whether they know what it is, I usually get the response, “I’ve never heard of it.” This is somewhat alarming given the fact that these precancerous spots are the third most frequently diagnosed skin problem, affecting more than 58 million Americans.
As a dermatologist, I am proud of and happy about the education regarding melanoma and skin cancer protection. However, education regarding the treatment of precancers, such as AK, is still lacking. It’s important because despite the fact that most AKs remain benign, approximately 5% to 10% develop into squamous cell carcinoma within roughly two years.1
So what is AK? It’s a precancerous skin condition often mistaken for sunspots and typically is diagnosed in older adults. AK is the result of years of cumulative sun damage and most prevalent in people who have spent a lot of time in the sun over the course of their lives.
AK most often appears on parts of the body regularly exposed to sunlight, such as the face, scalp, ears, neck, hands, and arms. It’s also more common in people with fair skin.
AK is characterized by dry, scaly, rough-textured patches on the skin that can range in color and vary in size. It’s not typical for the sun to affect only small patches of the skin. Therefore, people who are diagnosed with AK usually will develop more spots over time.
Since there is no way to know which AK spots will become cancerous, it’s important to seek care from a dermatologist, as frequent skin examinations are the key to early detection and prevention, especially if patients suspect they have AK.
AK treatment options including the following:
Dry Spots On Back And Neck
• Photodynamic therapy: This involves applying a photosensitizing agent to the AK. The treated area is exposed to a light that activates the agent. The period between application and exposure varies depending on the photosensitizing agent used. This treatment targets only the AK and causes little damage to the surrounding normal tissue. Some redness, swelling, and a burning sensation often occur during therapy.
• Cryotherapy: Liquid nitrogen is used to freeze the spots, with no cutting or anesthesia required. This method causes the lesion(s) to shrink or become crusted and then fall off. After treatment there may be temporary redness and swelling. In some patients, this treatment can cause permanent white spots on the skin.
Dry Spots On Skin Pictures
• Topical medication: This involves applying a topical medication to the affected skin. The course of treatment can range from days to weeks, depending on the topical medication used. Redness, swelling, and ulceration may occur during treatment.
Dry Spots On Back Of Arms
• Curettage: This procedure uses a curette to scrape off damaged cells. A local anesthetic is required. Scarring and skin discoloration may occur at the treatment site.
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• Chemical peel: Chemicals are applied directly to the affected areas, causing the top layer of skin to slough off. This layer of skin usually is replaced within seven days. Anesthesia is necessary for this procedure, and temporary discoloration and irritation can occur.
• Dermabrasion: This procedure involves using a rapidly moving brush to remove the affected skin. Local anesthesia is used. Following the procedure, the skin appears red and raw. It can take several months for the treated area to heal.
• Surgical excision: With surgical excision, the entire lesion plus some healthy tissue is removed. Scarring is possible.
• Lasers: Ocasio cortez in bathing suit. This treatment involves focusing a laser on the lesion, cutting through the skin tissue without causing bleeding. Local anesthesia may be required. This treatment can cause pigment loss in the skin.
As always, it’s imperative for patients to consult a dermatologist if they believe they have AK. More information is available at www.spotsigns.com. This site has various educational tools including a list of signs, prevention advice, and treatment options. It can even help someone find a dermatologist.
— Ellen Marmur, MD, is an associate professor in the dermatology and the genetics and genomic research departments at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.
Reference
1. Fuchs A, Marmur E. The kinetics of skin cancer: Progression of actinic keratosis to squamous cell carcinoma. Dermatol Surg. 2007;33(9):1099-1101.
1. Fuchs A, Marmur E. The kinetics of skin cancer: Progression of actinic keratosis to squamous cell carcinoma. Dermatol Surg. 2007;33(9):1099-1101.