CASUALTIES OF THE SUN

A retrospective review was carried out of all sunburn related attendan ces, during the periods 1/6/94-31/8/94 and 1/6/95-31/8/95, at the four A&E departments and at one of the general practices within the Northe rn Health and Social Services Board area. Four hundred and thirty pati ents had attended. The modal age group was 16-30 years. More males pre sented than females. Within the sexes more males presented in the unde r 16 years and over 30 years age group, while females were more common in the 16-30 years age group. There was documentation of blisters in 30% of patients. Those with blisters were more likely to be under 16 y ears and male. In females the most and least commonly affected areas c orrelated with the most and least commonly affected areas for cutaneou s malignant melanoma. In these days of limited resources it is importa nt to use epidemiological data such as this in order to contribute to the development of health promotion programmes and campaigns.