Japanese scientists have identified the genetic characteristics of people likely to suffer from chronic skin problems.

The researchers are from the Center for Genomic Medicine at the state-backed science institute Riken. They and other scientists analyzed DNA collected from more than 3,300 Japanese who suffer atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic and relapsing skin disorder.

They found 8 new sequences of DNA which make a person likely to suffer from the skin disorder. Another 7 sequences had been identified earlier by overseas researchers.

The identified new sequences include immune genes and Vitamin D metabolic genes.

When the level of the Vitamin D metabolic genes is low in blood, it's believed that atopic dermatitis tends to occur.

The researchers say the study identified a common genetic factor to atopic dermatitis and bronchial asthma.

Riken researcher Tomomitsu Hirota says further studies of the genes in the 8 sequences will help understand the mechanism that causes the skin problem and help with developing a treatment.