Top articles for summer skin safety

The sun is finally shining a little brighter this summer, bringing health benefits and also some potential risks this season.

Healio has compiled a list of articles that will help keep patients safe this summer including tips for child safety, sunburn awareness and ultraviolet (UV) ray benefits for inflammatory diseases.

Here are the articles for summer safety in 2023:

Q&A: Summer tips for keeping kids safe from sun, heat and air pollution

In June, the American Academy of Pediatrics announced tips for preventing illness related to outdoor activities stating that protection from the sun, heat and air pollution is important to keeping children healthy while they spend more time outside this summer. Tips include types of sunscreen to use on children, misconceptions associated with sunburn and other practical ways to avoid unhealthy sun exposure. Read more.

Q&A: What to know about dry skin during summer

If there is anything to know about dry skin as summertime sets in, it is that “it can still happen,” according to Stephen R. Humphrey, MD, Society for Pediatric Dermatology external marketing committee chair. Dry, scaly skin is often associated with cold weather and low humidity. But even in warmer weather, one’s skin could dry out after “lots of time spent in the pool, swimming and sun,” Humphrey told Healio in this exclusive interview. Read more.

Lack of sunless tanner education may cause diagnostic confusion, UV exposure

Dermatologists should continue educating their patients on the ingredients found in sunless tanners to avoid diagnostic confusion and unknown UV light exposure, according to a poster presentation at the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting. Active ingredients in these products may change the color of lesions that need to be treated. Sunless tanners may also create a false sense of protection against the sun causing patients to neglect putting on sunscreen. Read more.

Childhood sunburns ‘important contributor’ to melanoma, cSCC later in life

Sunburns early in life may be associated with melanoma or cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma later in life, according to a study. In fact, in an interview with Simon Lergenmuller, PhD, of the department of clinical and registry-based research at the Institute of Population-Based Cancer Research, Cancer Registry of Norway, Lergenmuller told Healio that sunburns in childhood were the most important contributor to melanoma later in life. “Our results therefore emphasize the importance of avoiding the sun, seeking shade, using protective clothing and sunscreen throughout life,” he said. Read more.

Q&A: How to maximize UV exposure benefits in inflammatory diseases while minimizing risk

While UV exposure from the sun is known to cause skin cancer, sunspots and other damage, for some with inflammatory skin conditions, this exposure can lead to beneficial outcomes. Healio spoke to Loren Clarke, MD, chief medical officer at DermTech, about how patients with psoriasis, eczema and other inflammatory conditions can best balance their exposure to UV radiation in order to maximize benefit and avoid risk. Read more.