Without the sun, humans would not survive; however, it harms the skin as it can cause cancer. Although you will need the sun for vitamin D synthesis, you should not expose your skin to harmful UV sun rays, especially during midday. It is better to use sunscreen all the time as it filters the cancer-causing UV rays. The cancer cells might occur on the basal cells, rapidly producing and replacing the old skin cells. A Chevy Chase basal cell carcinoma doctor will help diagnose and treat skin cancer. These tips will help you overcome skin cancer.
How Do You Know If You Have Skin Cancer?
You might develop skin cancer if you work in the sun for an extended time; thus, it is better to inspect the skin for changes, especially around the face, neck, hands, and other areas exposed to the sun. You may notice sores that don’t go away, moles with irregular borders, even shape, and those with changing colors on the skin. In addition, a shiny skin-colored bump that might appear like a pearl with visible blood vessels might be a red flag indicating developing carcinoma.
When Should You See a Dermatologist?
You should not ignore changes on the skin, even if you don’t stay in the sun for extended periods. You should let the dermatologist inspect any new growth, changes in previous moles, and sores that don’t disappear. Your dermatologist will conduct the first physical inspection and recommend cancer screening if they believe the changes are attributed to carcinoma. However, if the dermatologist thinks the mole is normal, they might ask you to observe any changes and conduct further observation in the subsequent visits.
How to Avoid Carcinoma
· Avoid sun exposure
Avoiding sun exposure is difficult since the sun is a good source of vitamin D. However, it is better to stay in the sun during the early mornings and late evenings when the sun rays are the weakest. You should avoid sun exposure during the midday when the UV rays are strongest. Alternatively, if you need to work in the fields, you should cover all the areas exposed to the sun with sunscreen, which filters the UV rays.
· Wear protective clothes
Sometimes it is hard to avoid the sun entirely, and you can wear protective clothing if you cannot access or use sunscreen. You will cover all skin areas with dark and tight-fitting woven clothes and wear a broad-brim hat to protect the face. The carcinoma will affect the eyes; thus, protective sunglasses will protect your eyes.
· Stop or minimize the use of the tanning beds
The tanning beds use the same harmful UV rays to darken the skin; thus, exposing yourself to the tanning beds will impact your skin health.
· Check the skin regularly
Although checking the skin will not prevent carcinoma, it will help identify the early symptoms. You may note any changes and communicate with your dermatologist about the changing skin. The dermatologist will treat the skin problems if they identify them in the early stages.
Skin health is essential, and you can develop carcinoma from exposure to the sun rays and tanning beds. Fortunately, it is easy to treat skin cancer in the early stages, and it would be better to inspect the skin frequently for changes. Find a dermatologist near you who can help you overcome carcinoma.
