Niren MD: Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a common, low-grade cancerous growth of the skin. It begins in the skin's top layer, the epidermis and continues to those cells with the potential to reproduce in an out-of-control manner. The epidermis is a thin layer that provides a protective cover of skin cells that our bodies continually shed.

Unlike other cancers, most types of skin cancers have no potential to spread to other parts of the body. However, according to Dr. Neil Niren, an experienced dermatologist, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S. More than a million patients are reviewing this condition each year.

There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Melanoma is far less common, though more dangerous, than the other two. According to the Niren, 76,690 Americans, around 60 percent of them men, were diagnosed with melanomas of the skin in the last year. Non-epithelial skin cancers, such as sarcomas, affected another 5,880 people.

Skin cancer usually develops on areas of sun-exposed skin, such as the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms and hands, and on the legs in women. However, it can also occur on areas of your skin that are not normally exposed to sunlight like your palms, beneath your fingernails or toenails, and your genital area

In Neil Niren's knowledge, you can reduce the chances of skin cancer by limiting or avoiding exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Frequent check-ups for suspicious changes can help detect skin cancer at its earliest stage, which gives you the greatest chance for successful skin cancer treatment.

This skin condition affects people of all skin tones, including those with darker complexions. In people with dark skin tones, melanoma is more likely to occur in areas that not normally exposed to the sun.

Skin cancer appears when mutations occur in the skin cells DNA. The mutation then causes the cells to grow out of control and form a mass of cancer cells. Ultraviolet radiation found in sunlight and in the lights used in tanning beds can cause great damage to DNA in skin cells, which can result in skin cancer. Still, Neil Niren MD adds that there are other factors that may contribute to the risk of skin cancer, such as being exposed to toxic substances or having a condition that weakens your immune system.

Protect your skin in the winter

As winter approaches the temperatures drop, and with that begins the battle for healthy skin. For many people, the cold winter days bring more than dry runny nose and red cheeks. Dry air takes away the moisture in the skin, and if that moisture isn’t replaced the skin will start cracking, says Neil Niren MD a specialist in dermatology.

Those little cracks on the skin can cause inflammatory response, which can leave the skin more susceptible to flare-ups. But as Dr Niren explains, for some people the problem is worse than a tight, dry feeling. Their skin gets so dry it starts flaking, cracking, and can even lead to psoriasis and eczema.

What Dr Neil Niren recommends for the fast approaching winter days is moisturizing both body and face more often and with richer creams that in other seasons. During the winter months, doctors also suggests using cleanser or soap that is less drying and has no fragrance.

For people with more problematic skin, or those affected by eczema or psoriasis, this is quite a dangerous period. As dermatologist explains adding the loss of moisture from lack of humidity is a double whammy. Patients with eczema also need to avoid all fragrance, even in shampoo, conditioner, fabric softener, as well as in moisturizers and soaps.

According to Dr Niren, the most common conditions associated with winter are winter itch, nummular dermatitis and ichthyosis. Winter itch occurs because the skin is dry and wearing heavy clothes causes sweat to accumulate and irritate the pores. Nummular dermatitis manifests with round scaly itchy patches usually appearing on the legs. Neil Niren MD points out that both of these conditions can be partially prevented with daily moisturizing, avoidance of irritants and harsh soaps. Avoiding polyester and wool can also be helpful. When it comes to Ichthyosis, a condition in which diamond shaped scaly patches appear on the legs, at his blog at SCALAR, the dermatologist discovered that moisturizing, proper medications and sometimes an antihistamine can be helpful.