When should my child see a dermatologist?

When should my child be seen for a full body skin exam?

There is no hard and fast rule for this question. At Florida Skin Center, we recommend routine skin exams (at least yearly) regularly for everyone, including pediatric patients! Monthly skin exams at home should be performed as well. While melanoma is less common in children than in adults, that does not mean it does not occur. The incidence of melanoma in children 11-19 years of age has increased almost 3% per year from 1973-2001. Melanoma accounts for approximately 7% of all cancers diagnosed in individuals 15-19 years of age, and accounts for up to 3% of all pediatric cancers. The treatment of childhood melanoma is often delayed due to misdiagnosis, which happens up to 40% of the time. If you or your pediatrician notices a questionable mole on your child, have a dermatologist examine the mole - we have special tools that help us determine if a mole is suspicious and warrants testing. Even if a mole does not warrant testing at the time of the exam, close followup is recommended, to monitor for changes.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, but it is the most preventable. Most skin cancers form due to excess sun exposure when we were young. Genetics plays a role as well. Remember to minimize sun exposure and wear daily sunscreen of at least SPF 30.

When should my child's skin condition be evaluated by a dermatologist?

Most pediatricians recognize common skin conditions, such as eczema, seborrhea, exanthems (rashes caused by viral infections), and can initiate treatment for your child. However, if the skin condition is not improving or resolving, most pediatricians will refer out to a dermatologist. A skin biopsy may be performed to confirm the diagnosis and to better tailor the treatment. If the skin condition is something not commonly seen, most pediatricians will refer out to a dermatologist as well. When in doubt, have a specialist look at it!

The Art of Applying Sunscreen

     This picture has made it on TODAY, and has since been shared all over social media as a funny and common mistake. It sheds light on the importance of the correct application of sunscreen. A sunburn not only causes pain, but it’s also bad for your health.

    About 86 percent of melanomas can be attributed to exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. A person’s risk for developing melanoma doubles if they have had one or more blistering sunburns, or 5 or more sunburns.

   

    A recent study conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology states, 37% of people rarely or never applies sunscreen to their back and 43% of people rarely or never ask someone else to help them apply sunscreen to their back. Sunscreen application and examination of the back are important because the back is THE most common area for diagnosed Melanomas.

You can protect yourself by

•        Use a broad spectrum sunscreen (protects against UVA and UVB rays.) Use a sunscreen with a SPF or sun protective factor of at least 30. Reapply approximately 1oz of sunscreen every 2 hours.

•        If using a spray sunscreen, MAKE SURE TO RUB IT IN.

•        Limit sun exposure during hours when the UV rays are the strongest, between 10AM and 4 PM

•        Wear protective clothing, sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat.

•        Avoid tanning beds

•        Have an annual skin exam performed by a dermatologist.

Do self-skin exams, using the ABCDE's every month, and look for new or changing moles

Please Join us for the 2nd Annual Miles for Melanoma Walk/5k Run May 14, 2016

    Our 2nd Annual Miles for Melanoma Walk/5k Run is quickly approaching, and will be held on May 14, 2016 at Sanibel Outlets. Registration is between 7-8AM, and walk/race begins at 8AM. For early registration or if you cannot join us , but would like to donate to a great cause you can visit :

http://join.melanoma.org/site/TR?fr_id=1162&pg=entry  

   All proceeds go to the Melanoma Research Foundation for education, advocacy and research. By making a donation today, you can make a difference in the fight against melanoma.

Melanoma: What You Need to Know 
  
    Melanoma is a skin cancer that starts in the melanocytes, or the cells in our skin that produce the pigment that gives us our color. A melanoma can be any color including: brown, black, grey, red , blue , or any mixture of these colors. Melanoma can start as a new spot on the skin, or it can grow within a mole or skin lesion that was already present.

    The incidence of melanoma is on the rise, and it is important to become educated about melanoma because if diagnosed early it has a higher survival rate. The American Cancer Society estimates on average, 41200 people are diagnosed yearly with melanoma skin cancers in Florida. Eighteen melanomas were diagnosed in 2015, here at Florida Skin Center by our providers.

    There are different risk factors for developing a melanoma, some of which can be controlled and others that cannot. Fair skinned individuals and those who burn more easily are at an increased risk. Also are individuals with red or blonde hair and/or blue or green eyes. Someone who has many moles on their body or has had a dysplastic nevus or changing mole is too at an increased risk for developing a melanoma. A family history of melanoma in one or more first degree relative such as a parent, brother, sister, or child, increases a person’s risk. In fact, approximately 10% of those diagnosed with a melanoma, have a family history. Someone who has personally had a melanoma has approximately a 5 percent chance of developing another. A weakened immune system is another factor that may increase person’s chances of developing a melanoma skin cancer.

  Overall, men have a higher incidence of developing melanoma. The average age melanoma is diagnosed is 61, although we are starting to see melanomas grow in the younger populations. In fact melanoma is the most common cancer in young adults aged 25-59 years old. Women are more likely to develop this diagnosis before age 40, whereas men are more likely to develop melanoma after the age of 40.

    One of the preventable risk factors is UV or ultraviolet light exposure. About 86 percent of melanomas can be attributed to exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Ultraviolet (UV) light can damage the DNA of the cells, which can cause melanoma. Most UV light is from sun exposure, but can also come from tanning beds. A person’s risk for developing melanoma doubles if they have had one or more blistering sunburns, or 5 or more sunburns from any UV source.

    When found early, melanoma is highly curable. When detected early, the overall 5-year survival rate is approximately 98 percent in the US. Melanomas become more of a concern when they spread to regional lymph nodes or other organs. This is why early detection is so crucial.

     As the old quote goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Although there are some risk factors that can’t be changed, there are some precautions that can be taken to reduce your risk of developing a melanoma.

• Use a broad spectrum sunscreen (protects against UVA and UVB rays.) Use a sunscreen with a SPF or sun protective factor of at least 30. Reapply approximately 1oz of sunscreen every 2 hours.
• Limit sun exposure during hours when the UV rays are the strongest, between 10AM and 4 PM
• Wear protective clothing, sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat.
• Avoid tanning beds
• Have an annual skin exam performed by a dermatologist.
• Do self-skin exams, using the ABCDE's every month, and look for new or changing moles.

Hidden Risks of Indoor Tanning

Some mistakenly believe that indoor tanning is safer than the UV rays generated by the sun. This is a myth, and indoor tanning places a person at a substantial risk of developing a skin cancer. Tanning booths use both UVA and UVB rays. Both UVA and UVB rays damage skin cells by mutating genes that may possibly lead to a skin cancer. UVA rays are also responsible for skin aging and causes wrinkles and volume loss. UVB rays are responsible for causing sunburns. Indoor tanning increases a person’s risk of developing a melanoma when used before the age of 35. The risk increases by 1.8% with each additional visit to an indoor tanning booth.