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Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer: What You Need to Know— by Camrey Tuttle, DNP, FNP-C

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by Camrey Tuttle, DNP, FNP-C

As the days grow longer and the sun shines brighter, many of us eagerly head outdoors to soak up the warmth and enjoy various activities. While sunlight is essential for our well-being, providing much-needed vitamin D and boosting our mood, it’s crucial to be mindful of the risks associated with excessive sun exposure, particularly the development of skin cancer. While skin cancer most often presents later in life, the damage is often created in childhood to early adult years. Therefore, it is important to take proper skin precautions regardless of your stage of life.

Understanding Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, and its incidence has been rising over the years. The primary cause of skin cancer is ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. UV radiation damages the DNA in our skin cells, leading to mutations that can cause cancer. There are three main types of skin cancer:

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): The most common type, BCC rarely spreads but can cause significant damage if not treated.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC): Less common than BCC, SCC can spread to other parts of the body if not caught early.

Melanoma: The most dangerous form of skin cancer, melanoma is less common but more likely to spread and become life-threatening.

The ABCDEs of Skin Lesions

Early detection is key to successfully treating skin cancer. One of the most effective ways to catch skin cancer early is by performing regular self-examinations of your skin. Dermatologists recommend following the ABCDE guide to identify potentially cancerous lesions:

A – Asymmetry: If you draw a line through the middle of the mole or lesion, the two halves should match. If they don’t, this asymmetry is a warning sign.

B – Border: The edges of an early melanoma are often uneven, scalloped, or notched. A benign mole has smooth, even borders.

C – Color: Having multiple colors (shades of brown, black, tan, red, white, or blue) in a single lesion is another warning signal. Benign moles usually have a single shade of brown.

D – Diameter: Melanomas are usually larger in diameter than a pencil eraser (about 6mm), but they can be smaller when first detected.

E – Evolving: Any change in size, shape, color, or elevation, or any new symptom such as bleeding, itching, or crusting, points to danger.

 

Protecting Your Skin

Preventing skin cancer begins with protecting your skin from excessive sun exposure. Here are some essential tips:

Use Sunscreen: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher on all exposed skin, even on cloudy days. Reapply regularly especially after swimming or sweating.

Seek Shade: Especially during the midday hours when the sun’s rays are the strongest.

Wear Protective Clothing: Long-sleeved shirts, pants, and a wide-brimmed hat can provide a physical barrier against UV rays.

Avoid Tanning Beds: The UV light from tanning beds is just as harmful as the sun and increases the risk of skin cancer.

 

Conclusion

By understanding the risks and taking proactive measures, we can enjoy the sun safely and reduce our risk of developing skin cancer. Remember, when it comes to your skin, vigilance and protection are your best defenses. Keep the ABCDEs in mind, practice sun safety, and consult with your provider if you have any concern about your skin.

See website here for CDC recommendations to avoiding skin cancer: https://www.cdc.gov/skin-cancer/index.html

Treating Your Seasonal Allergies at Home— by Camrey Tuttle, DNP, FNP-C

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With the high-water year, many in our area have been fighting the seasonal allergy symptoms that have come with all this beautiful green. The most common symptoms of seasonal allergies include sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, itchy nose/eyes, and cough. Allergies may also worsen other conditions like asthma, eczema, and migraines.

So, what can you do?

 #1 – Avoid allergens

While sometimes unrealistic, the most effective strategy to help with your allergies is avoiding pollen. Strategies to help with this include avoiding outdoor activities on high pollen days which are commonly reported on weather reports, driving with your windows rolled up and recirculating air in your car for your AC instead of pulling in outside air, washing hands and clothes when you get in from being outdoors, vacuum/dust your home regularly.

# 2 – Steam Inhalation

Inhaling steam from a warm shower or humidifier helps to clean out your nasal passages and reduce the symptoms of allergies. For a bonus, add Eucalyptus or Mint oil to your steam for a refreshing effect.

# 3 – Herbal Preparations1

Many may want a more natural remedy for their allergies. Below are some herbal preparations that are backed by science. These can also work together with allergy medications if the medication itself is not enough.

  • ButterBur (Petcasites Hybridus)
  • Tinospora cordifolia
  • Menthol (Inhaled)
  • Benifuuki green tea
  • Ginseng
  • Tumeric

Just like medications, herbal preparations have side effects, including damage to the liver. Herbal preparations also have the potential to interact with medications you may already be taking. If you have concerns, ask your provider.

#4 – Vitamin C

Vitamin C has antioxidant, immunomodulatory (changes how the immune system acts), and anti-inflammatory mechanisms that have been shown to decrease allergy symptoms2. The recommended daily amount of vitamin C is 1000 mg, although there are different preparations so pay attention to the packaging instructions.

What do I need to know about over-the-counter allergy medications?3

Common allergy medications are in a medication class called Antihistamines. These medications block histamine which is an immune signal that leads to the symptoms of allergies.

Common allergy medications include:
  • Claritin (Loratadine)
  • Allegra (Fexofenadine)
  • Zyrtec (Cetirizine)
  • Xyzal (Levocetirizine)

While in the same class. Benadryl is more likely to make you tired and is therefore less recommended for daily use during allergy season.

What about “ – D”? “ – D” means decongestant. This means it is a combination medication. For example, Allegra-D is Fexofenadine and Pseudoephedrine. While this may produce additional benefits, know that these decongestant medications can cause higher blood pressure, fatigue, headaches, dry mouth, and agitation. It is also generally not recommended for pregnant women to take decongestant medications.

Nasal Allergy Medications

Antihistamines:

  • Astelin/Astepro (Azelastine)
  • Patanase (Olopatadine)

Nasal Steroids: Steroids work by reducing allergy-related inflammation.

  • Rhinocort (Budesonide)
  • Flonase (Fluticasone)
  • Nasonex (Mometasone)
  • Nasocort (Triamcinolone)

You can use both nasal medication and oral medications together.

We are here to help!

At any time if your allergy symptoms are severe, unresponsive to treatment, associated with wheezing, or causing difficulty breathing please come by and see one of our providers for further treatment options.

Resources
  1. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/complementary-and-alternative-therapies-for-allergic-rhinitis-and-conjunctivitis?search=Stinging%20nettle%20tea%20&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=1#H26306525
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9970132/
  3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/allergies/in-depth/allergy-medications/art-20047403
Fighting Seasonal Allergies

Seasonal Allergies: Nip them in the Bud

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Relieve seasonal allergies with these tried-and-true techniques.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Spring means flower buds and blooming trees — and if you’re one of the millions of people who have seasonal allergies, it also means sneezing, congestion, runny nose and other bothersome symptoms. Seasonal allergies — also called hay fever and allergic rhinitis — can make you miserable. But before you settle for plastic flowers and artificial turf, try these simple strategies to keep seasonal allergies under control.

Reduce your exposure to allergy triggers

To reduce your exposure to the things that trigger your allergy signs and symptoms (allergens):

  • Stay indoors on dry, windy days — the best time to go outside is after a good rain, which helps clear pollen from the air.
  • Delegate lawn mowing, weed pulling and other gardening chores that stir up allergens.
  • Remove clothes you’ve worn outside; you may also want to shower to rinse pollen from your skin and hair.
  • Don’t hang laundry outside — pollen can stick to sheets and towels.
  • Wear a dust mask if you do outside chores.
  • Take extra steps when pollen counts are high

Seasonal allergy signs and symptoms can flare up when there’s a lot of pollen in the air. These steps can help you reduce your exposure:

  • Check your local TV or radio station, your local newspaper, or the Internet for pollen forecasts and current pollen levels.
  • If high pollen counts are forecasted, start taking allergy medications before your symptoms start.
  • Close doors and windows at night or any other time when pollen counts are high.
  • Avoid outdoor activity in the early morning when pollen counts are highest.
  • Keep indoor air clean

There’s no miracle product that can eliminate all allergens from the air in your home, but these suggestions may help:

  • Use the air conditioning in your house and car.
  • If you have forced air heating or air conditioning in your house, use high-efficiency filters and follow regular maintenance schedules.
  • Keep indoor air dry with a dehumidifier.
  • Use a portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your bedroom.
  • Clean floors often with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter.

Original Article: Seasonal Allergies: Nip them in the Bud

Gagon Family Medicine + Urgent Care is located in Carbon County Utah in Price. We are dedicated to maximizing the health of our patients by providing comprehensive and continuous medical care. In our Family Medicine Clinic, our team works together to provide expert, personalized care and wellness for your whole family. Our Urgent Care Clinic provides same-day treatment for non-life threatening medical emergencies.

Dr. Gagon will also provide in-patient hospital care should the need arise at Castleview Hospital. As an added convenience, you may also visit our walk-in Immunization Clinic to make it just that much easier to stay healthy.