‘Dr. Google, What Is That on My Skin?’—Internet Searches Related to Skin Problems
Google Trends Data from 2004 to 2019
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 17801100 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Mikołaj Kamiński (0000-0002-4394-0460, corresponding author), Linda Tizek (0000-0002-2749-9791, Technical University of Munich), Alexander Zink (0000-0001-9313-6588, Technical University of Munich) |
| Year | 2021 |
| Volume | 18 |
| Issue | 5 |
| Pages | 2541-2541 |
| Publication date | 2021-03-04 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601 |
| Publisher | Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3390/ijerph18052541 |
| PMID | 33806391 |
| OpenAlex | W3037700029 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 2 |
The Internet is a common source of health information as search engines propose websites that should answer users' queries. The study aimed to investigate the search behavior of Google users related to skin clinical signs as well as to analyze their geographical, secular, and seasonal patterns. The data of Google Trends was used to analyze the number of Google searches related to skin problems from January 2004 to December 2019. Thirty-four topics representing dermatologic complaints were identified. The interests of all topics were calculated in proportion to the Relative Search Volume (RSV) of 'Scar'. Geographical patterns as well as secular and seasonal trends were analyzed. Countries with few users who searched for skin problems were excluded from the analysis. Globally, gaining the most attention were 'Itch' proportion to RSV of 'Itch' (2.21), 'Hair loss' (1.56), 'Skin rash' (1.38), 'Perspiration' (1.32), and 'Scar' (1.00). In 42 of the 65 analyzed countries, 'Itch' was the most popular topic, followed by 'Hair loss' ( n = 7), and 'Pustule' ( n = 6). The RSV of all topics increases over time, with 'Comedo' (5.15 RSV/year), 'Itch' (4.83 RSV/year), and 'Dandruff' (4.66 RSV/year) being the most dynamic ones. For 23 topics, the highest interest was noted during warm months. Considering skin manifestations, Google users are mainly interested in itch, hair loss, and skin rash. An increasing number of individuals worldwide seem to use Google as a source of health information for dermatological clinical signs during the study period
Family medicine · Internet privacy · Rash · The Internet · World Wide Web · Allergic Rhinitis and Sensitization · Computer Science · Data-Driven Disease Surveillance · Medicine · Pediatric health and respiratory diseases · Dermatology
| Unique citing works | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,6 |
| Citation span | 2021 - 2023 (3) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 3 |