Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
Cathleen Yun Ehrlich, ARNP-C
We’ve all heard about the damaging effects of the sun’s harmful UV rays, but are we actually paying attention to the details? Here’s what the World Health Organization (WHO) wants the public to know, “Prolonged human exposure to solar UV radiation may result in acute and chronic health effects on the skin, eye and immune system. Sunburn (erythema) is the best-known acute effect of excessive UV radiation exposure. Over the longer term, UV radiation induces degenerative changes in cells of the skin, fibrous tissue and blood vessels leading to premature skin aging, photodermatoses, and actinic keratoses. Another long-term effect is an inflammatory reaction of the eye. In the most serious cases, skin cancer and cataracts can occur.”
Every hour a person dies of melanoma, and this year alone, over 76,000 new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the US, and Florida has the highest incidents of melanoma per state.
HOW CAN WE PROTECT OURSELVES?
Seek shade—Stay out of the sun, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM when the sun is strongest. If you’re outside during the day, look for a shady spot underneath an umbrella, awning or tree.
Clothing can be the most effective form of sun protection—Loose fitting, long sleeve shirts, and pants are imperative to keep the UV rays from piercing your skin.
Wear a broad-brimmed hat—A hat can provide additional shade to your face, chest, and neck and also protect your scalp from UV radiation.
Use sunscreen—For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant formula with an SPF of 30 or higher. Make sure the label states, “broad spectrum” which means it protects against UVA and UVB rays. Natural ingredients like zinc and titanium dioxide are the best for your skin.
Use enough sunscreen—For adequate protection, apply one ounce (two tablespoons, about a shot glass full) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or sweating.
Protect your eyes—Unfortunately, many people forget to protect their eyes, but wearing UV-
blocking, or polarized sunglasses can help to protect your eyes from developing melanomas and degenerative retinal and macular diseases.
DERMATOLOGY SOLUTIONS recommends quality products that are available at their office for your convenience. The first product is sunscreen. Not all sunscreens are the same. While some are laden with harmful chemicals, others may not block out all UV rays. To simplify your process, Dermatology Solutions recommends ELTA MD products. The powerful sunscreens from Elta MD, which are broad-spectrum protection for all skin types, blocks out both UVA and UVB rays, comes in many formulations and tints to satisfy even the most scrupulous consumer.
Dermatology Solutions also carries the highest quality sunscreen product on the market, for issues with actinic damage. Actinic damage is also known as keratosis or solar keratosis. It is a crusty, scaly growth caused by damage to the epidermis from ultraviolet radiation exposure. Eryfotona suncare by Isdin provides actinic damage protection. Eryfotona is designed to enhance skin health and helps to address existing actinic damage with DNA Repairsomes® that deliver encapsulated photolyase enzymes. Eryfotona also helps to prevent additional actinic damage with 11% zinc oxide (50+ SPF, broad spectrum UVA/UVB).
SKIN CANCER SCREENINGS SAVE LIVES
Last but not least, you must make sure to have an annual skin cancer screening, because along with hiding in your scalp, skin cancer can be in odd places, like the bottom of your feet to your other less mentionable areas. Having a professional scan your body is worth the ten minutes it takes to save your life. Dermatology Solutions recommends setting automatic reminders on your phone. Or trying to make your appointment close to your birthday or anniversary, so it’s easy to remember.
About Cathleen Yun Ehrlich, ARNP-C: Cathleen Yun Ehrlich, ARNP, is a nurse practitioner with years of experience and training in dermatology. She obtained her Masters of Nursing degree from Florida International University of Miami and went on to Dermatology Fellowship training from University of Miami Dermatology Fellowship Program. She has practiced in New York, NY then moved to Florida in 2016 where she practiced both general and surgical dermatology in Coral Gables, Florida.
Now, establishing her roots here in Cape Coral, we are proud to introduce Cathleen as she begins her career with Dermatology Solutions establishing our first Cape Coral clinic on Del Prado Blvd. Competent and an expert at diagnosing and treating all forms of skin pathology, Cathleen, along side Medical Director, Debra Fett Desmond, MD work together to bring Cape Coral residents the same quality of skin care our patients have come to appreciate and expect. Cathleen is a member of the Nurse Practioners, National Academy of Dermatology and speaks fluent Chinese.
About Cathleen Yun Ehrlich, ARNP-C: Cathleen Yun Ehrlich, ARNP, is a nurse practitioner with years of experience and training in dermatology. She obtained her Masters of Nursing degree from Florida International University of Miami and went on to Dermatology Fellowship training from University of Miami Dermatology Fellowship Program. She has practiced in New York, NY then moved to Florida in 2016 where she practiced both general and surgical dermatology in Coral Gables, Florida.
Now, establishing her roots here in Cape Coral, we are proud to introduce Cathleen as she begins her career with Dermatology Solutions establishing our first Cape Coral clinic on Del Prado Blvd. Competent and an expert at diagnosing and treating all forms of skin pathology, Cathleen, along side Medical Director, Debra Fett Desmond, MD work together to bring Cape Coral residents the same quality of skin care our patients have come to appreciate and expect. Cathleen is a member of the Nurse Practioners, National Academy of Dermatology and speaks fluent Chinese.
239-471-2818
www.dermatologysolutionscape.com
2002 Del Prado Blvd South, Suite 205
Cape Coral, FL 33990
