6 Tips to Prevent Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, but it’s also preventable. Protecting yourself and your family isn’t difficult. The first step is understanding the risk of skin cancer and how you can prevent it.
How to Prevent and Treat Common Summer Ailments from Bug Bites to Poison Ivy
Along with beach time, frisbee fun, and picnics, summer months can make way for bothersome issues. By prioritizing healthy habits, you can enjoy the good parts and minimize the rest. Doing so might even bolster your long-term health by staving off skin cancer.
The expert team at Midwest Regional Health Services in Omaha, Nebraska, provides primary care for patients of all ages, all year round.
Here’s a look at ways to prevent and relieve common summer ailments so you can better enjoy the season.
Preventing bug bites
The heat and humidity of Nebraska summers invite a range of insects, including ants, mosquitoes, flies, wasps, bees, and ticks. While many of these bugs play an important role in the environment, they can wreak havoc on your skin and well-being if you’re allergic. And regardless, issues like itchy mosquito bites aren’t fun.
To prevent bug bites and related issues, try one or more of these practices:
- Apply some insect repellent containing lemon eucalyptus oil or 20%-30% DEET
- Wear insect repellent clothing
- Wear clothing and shoes that cover most of your skin
- Clean up spilled food and beverages quickly
If you’ve had moderate to severe reactions to bug bites, talk to your physician about allergy testing or preventive treatment. You may benefit from carrying an EpiPen®.
Dodging sun-related risks
The sun feels good on your skin, but it also damages it. The ultraviolet (UV) rays it emits raise your risk for skin cancer and damage. No matter your skin color, protect your exposed skin whenever you’re outdoors, but particularly during peak sun hours: 10 am-4 pm.
Smart sun protection options include applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen, wearing sun-protective clothing, such as a hat and sunglasses, and seeking shade.
If you notice an unusual mole or suffer a severe sunburn, our team can help. Treatment for cancerous and precancerous moles often involves removing the cells. For a sunburn, we may recommend applying an aloe-based moisturizer, taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, and cooling the skin with water. For a severe burn, we may prescribe a medical cream.
Staying hydrated
Dehydration can lead to headaches, dry mouth, and even organ damage or heat stroke during the summer. You lose fluids through sweat, so drink water or other hydrating options whenever you perspire, exercise, or spend time in hot weather. Iced herbal tea and fresh fruits and vegetables also boost hydration.
While individual hydration needs vary, most people need 11.5-15.5 cups of water per day. Hydrating foods count toward this, too. Unless you take certain supplements, you should drink enough so your urine appears clear or pale yellow, versus bright yellow.
Dehydration treatment involves replenishing fluids and electrolytes, which requires IV fluids and hospitalization in severe cases.
Avoiding risky plants
Poison ivy is very common in the Omaha region, particularly in wooded areas. The same goes for poison oak and wild parsnip. Look up photos of these plants to familiarize yourself and your loved ones. To spot poison ivy, for example, look for a vine-like plant with leaves that grow in threes.
Treatment for plant-induced skin problems, like rashes, often involves cool compresses, calamine lotion, or topical corticosteroids. If you have a severe allergic reaction, which can cause symptoms like intense inflammation and breathing problems, seek immediate medical care.
To get personalized summertime health tips or get needed treatment for you or a loved one, contact Midwest Regional Health Services today. For urgent care services, you don’t even need an appointment.
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