Healthy Skin

Prevention of skin damage is the first priority for healthy skin. No sun, No smoking, No Aging. Sun is important for Vitamin D. The rule to remember is to put on sun screen if you are going to be exposed for more than 20 minutes. Smoking decreases elasticity to the lungs and skin. That is why smoking causes emphysema and wrinkles. Aging thins the skin and decreases elasticity. Unfortunately, aging cannot be prevented....yet.

A common skin condition is called eczema. It can be related to dry skin and allergies. The treatment involves avoiding skin irritants (perfumes, allergens, etc). Moisturizing is the second key. Hot bathes will dry out skin as will cold wind. Protect against the cold by bundling up in the winter. Take cold or warm bathes and blot dry only. Apply an emolients that will block the moisture in the skin (e.g. Eucerin, Petroleum Jelly, Aquaphor, etc). It is best to put the emolient on like frosting and then cover it with clothing. Cotton gloves can allow you to use your hands while having them covered in creams.

The most common skin cancers are basal cells and squamous cells. These tend to occur on the face. Both are treated fairly easily if caught early and usually aren't fatal. Melanomas on the other hand are almost all fatal. If you think you have a melanoma you should have it checked as soon as possible to increase your chances of survival. I also recommend making sure you have good life insurance before you have a diagnosis. The worrisome signs of melanoma are the following:

• Asymmetry. One half doesn't match the appearance of the other half.
• Border irregularity. The edges are ragged, notched, or blurred.
• Color. The color (pigmentation) is not uniform. Shades of tan, brown, and black are present. Dashes of red, white, and blue add to a mottled appearance.
• Diameter. The size of the mole is greater than 1/4 inch (6 mm), about the size of a pencil eraser. Any growth of a mole should be evaluated.
• Evolution (not shown in the picture). There is a change in the size, shape, symptoms (such as itching or tenderness), surface (especially bleeding), or color of a mole.