Sunlight and skin cancer
The damage caused by sunlight, including skin cancer and premature aging, is well documented. While sunlight may help control psoriasis, you must take precautions to minimize these potential risks. Sunscreens and clothing can decrease the amount of exposed skin by shielding uninvolved areas.
It is important to know the warning signs of skin cancer and get regular checkups from your dermatologist.
Know the signs of skin cancer
The following are noticeable changes in the skin that may be signs of skin cancer:
- A skin growth that increases in size and appears pearly, translucent, tan, brown, black or multi-colored
- A mole, birthmark or beauty mark that changes color, increases in size or thickness, changes in texture or is irregular in outline
- A spot or growth that continues to itch, hurt, crust, scab, erode or bleed
- An open sore or wound on the skin that does not heal or persists for three or more weeks, or heals and then reopens
If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor immediately.
Further information about skin cancer is available from the American Academy of Dermatology, P.O. Box 4014, Schaumburg, Ill. 60168-4014, 847.330.0230, www.aad.org, or from the Skin Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 561, New York, N.Y. 10156, www.skincancer.org.
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Updated October 2005 |
