dermatology news

November is healthy skin month. This is a good reminder that, even though we’re exposed to less sun now, it is still a great time to protect the appearance of and marvel at the uniqueness of our body’s largest organ. I’ve always admired the visual beauty of different skin tones. But understanding the science and purpose behind the various shades of our human tapestry expands my appreciation even more. This month, in a blog called Skin Tones, I share some insights on why we all have ”skin of color.”

Fall is a wonderful time for self-nurturing and introspection. As the weather cools and leaves change colors, many of my patients feel the need to look at areas of their lives they’ve let fall by the wayside. After the summer sun (and tan!) fades, we have a wonderful opportunity to take stock of the health of our skin and overall lifestyle and habits to prepare for the winter.

Cosmetics is a multibillion-dollar-a-year industry with limited regulations. The FDA lacks the power to approve products or an ingredient used in cosmetics and has not specifically determined what is “safe.” Because compounds placed on the skin can readily be absorbed into the body, is this something to be concerned about?

Skateboard pioneer Andy Kessler died earlier this week from an allergic reaction to an insect sting. His death is a dark reminder of the dangers that insect stings carry.

Severe allergy (considered potentially life threatening) to insect stings are quite rare and occur in less than 5% of the US population. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, at least 40 people in the US die each year from insect stings.

Greetings!

Long summer days call us outdoors, and that means skin is more vulnerable than ever. From mosquito bites and bee stings to sunburn and scraped knees, our skin is subject to much more potential harm during the summer. 

We all know that we must wear sunscreen to help protect us from the sun’s radiation. Is sunlight itself a bad thing? Of course not. The issue, many believe, is the shrinking of the ozone layer, earth’s natural sunscreen, which filters the most harmful radiation. When the ozone layer is healthy, we’re better protected from and in balance with the sun. We need its healing rays to not only nourish plants and animals but to activate vitamin D in our bodies. When we protect ourselves from the sun, we’re also potentially robbing ourselves of vital vitamin D. So what are we to do?

Melanoma is a comparatively rare but deadly form of skin cancer. Although melanoma accounts for less than 5% of skin cancer cases, it causes nearly 80% of skin cancer deaths. The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 68,700 cases will be diagnosed and that more than 8,600 people will die from the disease in 2009. In the US, the percentage of people who develop melanoma has more than doubled in the past 30 years, but the rate has remained steady since 2000.

Millions of people go online in search of health information. There are many sites that offer health information and help pinpoint diseases and conditions by using tools such as symptom checkers and disease finders. I also like to check out other sources that can offer a more personal and unique experience. Two of my favorite tools to use are Twitter and online support groups.

The skin, our largest organ, is our first layer of protection against infection and disease. So keeping skin protected is critical to promoting overall health and wellness. That’s why shielding skin from the harmful rays of the sun is such an important line of defense.

It is now common knowledge that overexposure to the sun can cause skin damage, lead to premature aging of the skin, as well as cancer. What is not fully understood is how this damage occurs and how to adequately protect against it. So it is helpful to learn more about the two forms of ultraviolet light that we are routinely exposed to in the sun – UVB and UVA rays – and how to interpret sunscreens’ SPF ratings as a guide to self-care.

While the ideal scenario is to avoid getting mosquito bites in the first place, that’s certainly easier said than done. But here’s a helpful preventive tip: about 30 minutes before you go outside, take Claritin® or Zyrtec® to get antihistamine into your system before your first encounter with a mosquito. I find I have a very mild reaction if I’m bitten, with little swelling, redness, or itching.