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"Skin and Sea"
Question and Answer part IV
 |
| Dr. Andrea Cambio is a board
certified dermatologist practicing
in Cape Coral. She is a Fellow
of the American Academy of
Dermatology and treats
adults and children. |
Q: For the past few weeks whenever I am out on my boat I get this red, itchy rash on my face and
body. It doesn't feel or look like a sunburn. What is the problem?
A: There are a few possibilities. Firstly, are you taking any new medications? There are a number of
medications including certain antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications and even some blood
pressure medications which can cause one to be more sensitive to ultraviolet light from the sun. I
would check with your doctor to make sure that the medications you are on do not fall into this
category. If you are on a photosensitizing medication, be sure to wear sun protective gear and a
broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Another possibility is that your skin is allergic
to something that it is coming in contact with, like a new sunscreen for example. Sometimes, the
combination of certain creams or lotions and sunlight can cause a skin rash. There are also a number
of medical conditions which can make one sensitive to sunlight. The best thing for you to do is to seek
medical attention. A visit to a dermatologist may be necessary to pinpoint the cause and treat your
rash.
Q: I have been boating for years. I always wear sunblock and a hat but have many brown spots on
my cheeks. I was told that they are "liver" spots. Is there anything that can be done about them? I
feel like I look 10 years older than I am. Help!
A: It sounds like you have "solar lentigines" which are the result of chronic sun exposure. They are
often called "liver" spots by people, but in fact, have nothing to do with one's liver. There are a
number of treatment options available treat this cosmetic condition. Your first stop should be a visit to
a dermatologist to make sure that these are indeed benign skin growths. Also a skin cancer screening
should be done because of your history of sun exposure. Treatment for these brown sun spots or
solar lentigines include the use of creams containing bleaching agents and retinoids and in-office
procedures such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion, intense pulsed light and laser. No treatment
for this condition would be complete without the daily application of sunblock and the use of sun
protective gear.
Q: My family doctor told me that I have a condition called Rosacea. How did I get this?
A: Rosacea is a common skin condition characterized by facial redness, bumpiness and swelling.
Individuals with rosacea tend to be "flushers and blushers." They also have a tendency to have small
dilated blood vessels on the face. Rosacea is most common in fair skinned people in their 30s-50s, but
can occur at any age. It has a tendency to run in families. It is not contagious. There are many
triggers which can cause a flare of rosacea. These are spicy foods, hot beverages, alcoholic
beverages, caffeine, extremes of temperature, stress and sun exposure. If untreated, rosacea can
worsen and cause permanent skin changes (bulbous red nose, bumpy skin, persistent redness and
visible blood vessels). The key to successful management of rosacea is early diagnosis and treatment.
There are a number of treatment options available at your dermatologist's office including prescription
creams, lotions and gels and short courses of antibiotics. In some instances, laser or intense pulsed
light (IPL) is used to reduce facial redness and visible blood vessels resulting from chronic rosacea.
The above information is by no means a substitute for a visit to your doctor. For more information
on these topics, please visit www.aad.org. To submit a story idea, or if you have a skin related
question, please e-mail me at dracambio@gmail.com. Thanks!
- Dr. Andrea Cambio
Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery
Andrew’s Professional Center
316 Del Prado Blvd. S. Suite 201
Cape Coral 829-7102
dracambio@gmail.com
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