Parkway Medical Blog

The summer is here and our skin needs sun protection. Regardless of age or skin type, everyone is at risk for developing skin cancer. With that in mind, here are three efficient and inexpensive ways to reduce sun damage: water, sun block and hats.

Water helps the body work better. It also helps keep the skin moist and fresh. Collagen and other building blocks of the skin are made up of mostly water. Without enough water, the body will re-absorb as much water as possible. Staying hydrated helps avoid this, and keeps all of your body systems working better.

Sun block protects the skin from sun effects, but you have to use it properly. It should be applied every two to three hours and re-applied after swimming. If you use a sun block rated SPF 30, and you don’t apply enough, you have effectively cut the protection in half. So, apply liberally. Many people don’t use sun block because it feels greasy or stings the eyes. Natural powder sun block made from minerals is a good alternative. Sunforgettable by Colorescience goes on dry, lasts a little longer, is waterproof and does not feel greasy. It works well, is relatively inexpensive, and is easily applied to children without a fight!

Finally, wear a wide-brim hat. Because of the extensive blood supply to the scalp, most of our water loss is from our head. A hat will decrease this dramatically, especially if it is ultraviolet rated. Wearing a hat makes us feel cooler and keeps the sun off of our faces and ears. The top of the ear has a high incidence of skin cancer.

Visit Parkway Medical to check out our array of physician-endorsed sun blocks, hats and sunglasses.

MRSA or Methcillin Resistant Staph Aureus is a bacteria resistant to the penicillin family of antibiotics. The presentation is usually skin lesions, boils, abscesses that may have started as a cut or scratch. Frequently these are treated with broad spectrum antibiotics without success. Once cultured, the bacteria can be identified and treated with appropriate antibiotics. Frequently in debilitated patients the bacteria can cause a form of pneumonia. The bacteria has the ability to alter its structure to make it resistant to the usual antibiotics. This occurs due to multiple reasons. Food and water supply containing antibiotics, overuse or inappropriate use of antibiotics, and treated hospital infections have led to the development of these bacteria. Certain other antibiotics also have led to the proliferation of resistant bacteria.

The best way to prevent MRSA is good hygiene, especially frequent hand washing. This is extremely important in healthcare workers as the bacteria is transferred from one to another through skin to skin contact. Ask health care workers to wash their hands before seeing you, especially in the hospital setting. It is important to note that the bacteria is NOT transferred through the air, but can be transferred through sharing towels, poor hygiene, living in unsanitary conditions, and contact sports. Learn to recognize the lesions and seek medical attention soon in order to get early treatment.

Additional information about MRSA can be found at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, www.cdc.gov or through the Arizona Department of Health Services, www.azdhs.gov.