5. Starting Today

We know a lot about skin—how to take care of it, protect it, and treat it when something goes wrong. But perhaps the most important thing to remember about skin is that it is constantly changing. Those changes are normal and healthy most of the time. Sometimes, however, they are uncommon and dangerous.

Whatever the changes, we should take notice of them at least once a month. Most of us don’t, though women are more conscientious about skin care than men. Men over 50 are particularly inattentive when it comes to skin changes and skin health.

Awareness is one thing all of us can do right now about our skin’s health. The following is a complete game plan to help you be aware of your changing skin.

A Three-Part Game Plan

Part one: Stay informed. Researchers and physicians are continually making new discoveries about skin health. If you need more information than you have already received from this Special Report 2017, a glossary of terms appears in Appendix II, and a list organizations (with contact information) appears in Appendix III.

Part two: Protect yourself. Follow the basic skin care guidelines described in Chapters 2, 3, and 4.

Part 3: Conduct skin self-examinations to look for any suspicious moles, spots, marks, or growths (see Appendix I: Body Mole Map, “Monthly Self-Examinations,” on page 76). The Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF) and the National Cancer Institute recommend monthly self-examinations. Here’s how:

• Examine your head and face, using one or two mirrors, and use a blow dryer to inspect your scalp.
• Check your hands and nails, and use a full-length mirror to examine elbows, arms, and underarms.
• Focus on your neck, chest, and torso. Women should check under their breasts.
• With your back to a mirror, use a hand mirror to inspect the back of your neck, and your shoulders, upper arms, back, buttocks, and legs.
• Sit and check your legs, feet, soles, heels, and nails. Use a hand mirror to examine your genital area.

Having a partner assist you makes it more likely that accurate self-screening will occur and can improve the early detection of skin cancer. Men older than age 50 are not particularly accurate in spotting melanomas and may need help from a friend or spouse.

Keep a record of your self-exams. The American Academy of Dermatology provides a “Body Mole Map” for your use, complete with illustrations, diagrams, forms, and a chart that helps you identify the A-B-C-D-E characteristics of moles (see Appendix I).

Schedule an Appointment

The second line of defense is your family physician and/or a dermatologist. The Journal of the American Medical Association reported that melanomas found by physicians tend to be thinner and more easily cured than those found by patients.

Your family doctor can answer general questions about skin health and potential skin problems, and treat minor skin problems, like rashes. However, dermatologists can offer a wider range of treatment and care. They can treat all of the skin conditions described in this report and should be seen for annual skin exams, for more serious skin conditions, and if you find anything of concern during your self-examinations.

Many dermatologists have general practices and see patients with all types of skin concerns. Some dermatologists have had additional training in a specific area of dermatology, such as pediatrics, surgery, or cosmetics, and may have a practice that specializes in one of these areas.

When examining skin biopsies and blood samples, dermatologists diagnose almost twice the number of skin lesions correctly (75 percent to 40 percent) as non-dermatologists. They correctly diagnose inflammatory skin diseases 71 percent of the time, compared with 34 percent for non-dermatologists.

Are You at Risk?

The American Academy of Dermatology says people who are at higher risk should be especially conscientious about getting medical help in evaluating skin conditions. Factors that place individuals in a high-risk group include:

• A family or personal history of skin cancer
• Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays over a period of time
• Severe sunburns
• Fair skin, blond or red hair, and blue, green, or gray eyes
• Sun-sensitive skin
• Large, irregularly shaped moles and/or 50 or more moles
• X-ray treatment for acne
• Taking drugs that suppress the immune system. Examples include prednisone, cyclosporine.

What to Take

Most dermatologists allow patients to fill out forms online. Here is a checklist of documents you might be asked to present on your first visit:

• Photo ID
• Medical records from previous doctors
• List of prescription and over-the-counter medications you take
• List of vitamins, minerals, and other supplements you take
• Lab test results
• List of prior surgeries and the dates on which they were performed
• Insurance and/or Medicare card
• Checkbook or credit card to co-pay for the first visit
• List of 10 questions to ask your dermatologist (see Box 5-1, “10 Questions to Ask”).

The doctor will ask questions about the nature of your skin condition, symptoms, how long they have existed, and what seems to make it worse. A skin condition checklist allows you to record information in advance that might help your doctor evaluate your problem. Check each item that applies to your condition (see Box 5-2, “Skin Condition Checklist,” on page 75).

A Brief Exam

The exam itself will be brief—an average of 10 minutes. Dermatologists are trained to visually examine the skin, and they may use a handheld dermatoscope to get a closer look at moles or other suspicious growths. Your dermatologist might photograph an area for use in later examinations to identify changes. When a lesion is suspected to be skin cancer, it will be removed and evaluated by a pathologist to confirm a diagnosis.

How Many Can You Check?

Here is a checklist of steps you can take or have taken, with an emphasis on skin care for those age 40, 50, 60, and older. How many can you check off now?

Avoid unnecessary exposure to sunlight

Don’t smoke

Stay hydrated

Shave carefully

Do not use tanning devices

Use broad-spectrum sunscreens

Check daily for dry, red, or irritated skin

Keep your skin clean, but do not overdo it

Use a moisturizer to prevent dry skin

See your family physician or dermatologist if you suspect you have a skin problem

For More Information

In addition to local doctors, healthcare professionals, and health educators, use the resources in Appendix III to get more information about education, treatment, and prevention of skin cancer and other dermatological diseases.

The post 5. Starting Today appeared first on University Health News.

Read Original Article: 5. Starting Today »

Powered by WPeMatico