Dealing with Your Skin

Acne

Acne (pimples and blackheads) can appear on your face, chest, back or shoulders. An excess of oil and skin cells plug up your pores and allow an overgrowth of bacteria, which causes acne. You can effectively treat many cases of acne yourself.

How to Care for Yourself

  •   Wash with a mild soap (i.e., Dove, Neutrogena), but don’t scrub.
  •   Avoid squeezing or picking pimples (this can cause infection or scarring).
  •   Avoid oil-based makeup, sunscreens, lotions or hair products.
  •   Use benzoyl peroxide (i.e., Oxy-5 or Oxy-10) every night.

If your acne does not improve after two months of this care, if large, red or purple bumps appear under your skin, or if your acne causes significant scars, schedule an appointment at Vaden Health Center.

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Moles

Moles are growths on the skin that usually (but not always) are a different color from the skin beneath them. Although most moles are harmless, some may be melanomas, which are cancerous. People with fair skin, light eyes and a family history of melanoma are more vulnerable to skin cancer.

How to Care for Yourself
Check your skin from head to toe every six months, including your lips, eyelids, back and scalp. Look for moles that show the following signs:

  • Change in size, color or shape
  • Larger than a pencil eraser
  • Uneven colors or a color that spreads to surrounding skin
  • Irregular edges, uneven shape or becoming bumpy
  • Itching, bleeding and becoming painful (they don’t heal within two weeks)

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Warts

Warts are growths on the skin caused by a group of viruses (Human Papilloma Viruses or HPV).

Most types of warts (excluding genital and anal warts) are not highly contagious. They may spread to other areas on the same person, but rarely spread to others. They are not dangerous, but can be annoying. Plantar warts occur on the soles of the feet (it may feel as if you’re walking on a stone).

How to Care for Yourself
Salicylic acid is available over the counter in a solution, gel or patch. Follow the directions on the label.

If the wart does not respond to treatment or causes pain, schedule an appointment at Vaden Health Center.

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The Sun

There are no safe tans. A suntan is your skin’s response to injury from ultraviolet (UV) light. Tanning increases your risk of skin cancer and causes premature aging. You don’t need to see the sun to be at risk (80 percent of UV light comes through cloud cover). UV light also reflects off water, sand and snow. It is more intense at higher elevations.

How to Care for Yourself

  • Avoid sun exposure during peak hours (10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.).
  • Wear protective clothing (i.e., hat, long sleeves) when you are outside.
  • Apply sunscreen (with an SPF of at least 15) one hour before sun exposure and reapply frequently, especially when swimming.
  • Keep your mouth covered by applying a lip balm with sunscreen often.
  • Wear sunglasses.
  • Some medications can make you more sensitive to the sun (i.e., antibiotics). Ask if yours does.
  • Avoid using tanning booths.
  • If you want to look darker, use sunless tanning lotions that give an artificial tan.

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