Pathology Tanning

Abstract

The present paper views pathology tanning (deliberate exposure of skin to ultraviolet rays with the aim of changing its color, attaining "suntan") as a disorder from the group of habit and inclination disorders (F63 in ICD-10). There is provided the definition of pathology tanning, diagnostics criteria and exclusion criteria. The result of implementing the AUDIT-similar screening test worked out by the author is given (so called AUDIT-similar tanning test) for differing pathology and non-pathology (ordinary) tanning in the framework of the method of complex estimation of an addictive status of an individual and population through the system of AUDIT-similar tests (I. V. Lynsky, A. I. Minko, A. F. Artemchuk, et al, 2009). The amount of people with pathology tanning in the regional sample of young people is established. The gender proportion of people with pathology tanning and without it is provided. The necessity of further research of tanning as a social phenomenon with high abuse liability is outlined.