Skin Cancer : Health promotion

• July 15, 2020
• Tony Guo
• no comments

Health promotion

• • Avoiding environmental hazards
  • Adequate hygiene and good nutrition
  • Skin self-examination
  • Periodic professional exams for areas difficult to see
• Environmental Hazards
  • Sun exposure
    • Ultraviolet (UV) rays-
      • UVA- tanning
      • UVB- sunburn
    • Other factors include high altitude, being in snow, and tanning booths
    • Sun safety
  • Irritants and allergens
  • Radiation
• Sleep
  • Adequate rest increases the patient’s ability to tolerate itching, thereby decreasing skin damage from the resultant scratching
• Exercise
  • Increases circulation and dilates the blood vessels
  • It’s psychologic effects can improve one’s appearance and mental outlook
• Hygiene
  • The normal acidity of the skin and perspiration protect against bacterial overgrowth.
  • Most soaps are alkaline and neutralize the skin surface, leading to a loss of protection.
  • Skin and hair must be washed often enough to remove excess oil and excretions and to prevent odor.
  • Older persons should avoid harsh soaps and shampoos and frequent bathing because of the dryness of their skin and scalp.
• Nutrition
  • Vitamin A: necessary for normal wound healing
  • Vitamin B complex: Essential for complex metabolic functions. Deficiencies of niacin and pyridoxine (B6) manifest as dermatologic symptoms such as erythema, bullae, and seborrhea-like lesions
  • Vitamin C: Essential for connective tissue formation and normal wound healing. Absence of vitamin C causes symptoms of scurvy such as bleeding gums
  • Vitamin D3: Essential for bone health
  • Vitamin K: Essential for synthesizing blood clotting factors