Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month 2013

By Nurse Diane

My Father-in -law was self-employed.  He was one of the first in his community to write programs for the computer for companies for their billing.  He was also great in computer repairs, which was all very unusual since he had never been trained or studied any type of computer technology.  He taught himself by trying different things, and when he found something that worked, he would load his stuff in his van and go from town to town selling his ideas.   He drove an old emptied out work van, no seats or frills like air conditioning.  During the hot Mississippi Summer he would ride with his window down and his arm hanging out.   After many years of this he developed a small spot on his arm.  It was an unusual shape; it concerned him so he visited his doctor to get it checked.

He was fortunate.  He was diagnosed with a skin cancer, had it removed, the area healed, and he had no other problem.  He also started wearing long sleeved shirts or applying sunscreen when he went out in his van.

Although summer doesn't officially start until June 21, the temperatures are already soaring in some states, and hibernating people are once again outside enjoying the fresh air and fun.  This is the perfect time to remind you of the possibilities of skin cancer, and ways to prevent it.

To detect a possible Melanoma or skin cancer, there is a checklist that follows the abc's.

A:  Asymmetry, where half of the spot is different from the other half

B:  Border, where the mole is irregular, scalloped or poorly defined.

C:  Color, where the mole has different shades of tan, brown, black, and sometimes white, red or blue.

D:  Diameter, where the mole is larger than the size of a pencil eraser

E:  Evolving, or changing in size or shape.

More than 3.5 million skin cancers are diagnosed annually in more than 2 million people. There are simple measures you can take to prevent getting skin cancer.  Staying out of the sun, wearing protective clothing if you are out, and use sun screen all the time you are outside.  If you do notice a spot or mole pop up, get it checked by your doctor right away; early detection is the key for a quick recovery.  So have a great summer, but stay safe too!

(Images from Google) 

Skin Rashes

(Google Image) 

By Diane Forrest, RN

When I was young, I had a round red circle mark on my stomach.  My mother couldn't figure out what it was, so off to the doctor we went.  I was diagnosed with ring worm.  Ring worm is a rash that is acquired from animals.  The doctor prescribed some antifungal cream and told me to stay away from strange animals.  That wasn't a problem since I had almost been eaten alive by a stray Doberman Pincher that hung around my school yard; I kept as far away from animals as possible.

When my son was young, I took him on a trip to visit some friends.  It was summer time, and hot, and his diaper was wet, and he developed diaper rash on his hind end.  I placed him in warm water with an oatmeal soak, and then applied Destin ointment to the area.

(Google Image) 

Then on his first birthday I baked him a wonderful clown cake, made with strawberry cake mix.  He loved the cake and dug right in, but when it came time to clean him up, the red spots wouldn't come off.  He was allergic to the strawberry cake, and broke out in hives, another skin rash.

A rash is a change of the skin which affects its color, appearance or texture. A rash may be localized in one part of the body, or affect all the skin. Rashes may cause the skin to change color, itch, become warm, bumpy, chapped, dry, cracked or blistered, swell and may be painful. The causes, and therefore treatments for rashes, vary widely. Diagnosis must take into account such things as the appearance of the rash, other symptoms, what the patient may have been exposed to, occupation, and occurrence in family members. The diagnosis may confirm any number of conditions.

(Google Image) 

There are many conditions, foods and even medications that will cause a skin rash.  Some are listed below:

• Food Allergy
• Anxiety
• Allergies, for example to food, dyes, medicines, insect stings, metals such as zinc or nickel; such rashes are often called hives.
• Skin contact with an irritant
• Fungal infection, such as ringworm
• Reaction to vaccination
• Skin diseases such as eczema or acne
• Exposure to sun (sunburn) or heat
• Friction due to chafing of the skin
• Irritation such as caused by abrasives impregnated in clothing rubbing the skin. The cloth itself may be abrasive enough for some people
• Menstruation
• Secondary syphilis
• Diseases such as Lupus

(Google Image) 

Treatment differs according to what rash a patient has been diagnosed with. Common rashes can be easily remedied using steroid topical creams (such as hydrocortisone) or non-steroidal treatments. Many of the medications are available over the counter in the United States.  If you notice a suspicious rash on your body that doesn't heal in a couple of weeks, seek treatment from your physician before it spreads and becomes worse.