Dr. Google, What Is That on My Skin? Internet Searches Related to Skin Problems: Google Trends Data from 2004 to 2019

March 2021 in “ International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ”

Mikołaj Kamiński, Linda Tizek, Alexander Zink

hair loss itch skin rash comedo dandruff dermatological issues acne blackheads whiteheads

TLDR More people are using Google to search for skin problems like itch, hair loss, and rashes.

The study analyzed Google Trends data from 2004 to 2019 to understand global search behaviors related to skin problems, identifying 'Itch', 'Hair loss', and 'Skin rash' as the most searched topics. 'Itch' was the top search in 42 countries, while 'Hair loss' was most popular in 7 countries. The Relative Search Volume (RSV) for these topics increased over time, with 'Comedo', 'Itch', and 'Dandruff' showing significant growth. Seasonal patterns were observed, with interest peaking in warmer months. The study concluded that more people globally were using Google to seek information on dermatological issues, highlighting the potential of internet data to identify public health needs. Limitations included the varying popularity of Google across regions and the lack of demographic data on users.

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Dr. Google, What Is That on My Skin? Internet Searches Related to Skin Problems: Google Trends Data from 2004 to 2019

Research cited in this study

research Prevalence of Dermatological Disorders in Japan: A Nationwide, Cross-Sectional, Seasonal, Multicenter, Hospital-Based Study

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