There are steps you can take to protect you and your loved ones from skin cancer.

This year alone, around 106,110 new melanoma cases with be diagnosed here in the US. Melanoma prevalence is on the rise, and the goal of our Rockville, MD, dermatologists is to protect you from both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. After all, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Here are some tips to follow to reduce your risk of developing skin cancer.

Protect Yourself from the Sun

This is probably the most important tip to follow: Always practice good sun safety, and this doesn’t just mean during the summer months. After all, UV rays are powerful and potentially harmful all year long, even on snowy and rainy days. Since the sun’s rays are strongest between the hours of 10 am-4 pm, it’s best to avoid extended periods of sun exposure during these times. If you must be outside,

• Wear sunscreen every day (more on that, below!)
• Stay in the shade as much as possible
• Wear protective clothing with tightly woven fabrics
• Wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat to protect the ears, face and neck

Wear Sunscreen

Again, sunscreen isn’t just something that you need to put on once in a blue moon (or on that summer vacation); it’s something that you need to apply each and every day. UV rays are strong enough to penetrate through the windows of your car and clouds on rainy days, which can lead to some serious sun damage over time. Here are some tips on proper sunscreen use,

• Look for a sunscreen that is broad-spectrum and protects against both UVA and UVB rays
• Make sure that you use a sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15
• Apply sunscreen every day about 30 minutes before going outside. Make sure to reapply every two hours (or immediately after, if you are swimming or sweating).

Say “No” to Tanning Beds

At this point, we hope that most people know the dangers of a tanning bed, but just in case you need a little refresher: Tanning beds not only cause significant skin damage, but they can also greatly increase your risk for developing skin cancer. In fact, just one season can increase your risk for developing melanoma by 20%.

Skin Cancer Warning Signs

It’s important to know what to look for. The ABCDEs can certainly help people remember the warning signs of melanoma. Of course, a simple rule of thumb is, if any mole changes color, shape or size it’s a good idea to have our Rockville, MD, dermatologist take a look. You should also turn to us if: you develop a new mole, or you have a growth or mole that bleeds, crusts over, hurts or resembles a scar.

Here at Shady Grove Dermatology in Rockville, MD, we’ve made it our mission to protect our patients from skin cancer. Whether you’re noticing changes in a mole or you simply want to schedule a routine skin cancer screening, we are here for you. Call us today at (240) 246-7417 to schedule an appointment.

Find out how to treat your rash at home, as well as when a rash may require medical attention.

Rashes come in all different shapes, sizes, textures, and colors. Some are intensely itchy while others may burn or hurt. While rashes are typically innocuous and self-limiting, certain rashes may appear as a result of a serious underlying issue. It’s important to recognize when it’s time to turn to our Rockville, MD, dermatologists for your skin rash.

Causes of a Skin Rash

There are countless issues that can lead to a rash. Some of them include:

• Allergies
• Insect bites and stings (e.g., tick bites)
• Bacterial or viral infections (e.g., shingles, chickenpox, measles)
• Heat rash
• Stress
• Certain skin problems (e.g., eczema, rosacea, yeast infections)
• Autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus)
• Drug reaction
• Scarlet fever (more common in children)

At-Home Care Tips

Most rashes will clear up on their own. Some simple ways to ease any discomfort you may experience with your rash include:

• Applying cold compresses to the area to reduce itching and swelling
• Soaking in an oatmeal bath, which can soothe red, itchy skin
• Not scratching the rash, as it could lead to infection
• Applying calamine lotion if your rash is itchy
• Applying over-the-counter anti-fungal cream to the rash if the rash is caused by a fungal infection (e.g., athlete’s foot, ringworm)
• Using a hydrocortisone cream to reduce inflammation and itching caused by eczema

When to See a Doctor

It’s important when to recognize that your rash needs more than just a little at-home care. It’s time to turn to our Rockville, MD, dermatologists if your skin rash:

• Covers the majority of your body
• Is very painful
• Develops blisters or sores
• Develops pus, swelling, skin that’s warm to the touch, and other signs of infection
• Isn’t responding to at-home care
• Is accompanied by a fever
• Oozes yellow or green liquid
• Continues to spread
• Is accompanied by tongue or throat swelling or trouble breathing (signs of an allergic reaction)

Our Rockville, MD, dermatologists have treated a wide range of skin rashes in patients from children to older adults. If a rash has you concerned, play it safe and call Shady Grove Dermatology today at (240) 246-7417.

Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer and will affect one in five Americans will develop skin cancer at some point in their life according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Thankfully, if caught early, skin cancers are generally curable. If you are affected by skin cancer, your dermatologists at Shady Grove Dermatology, LLC in Rockville, MD, are here to help. Continue reading to learn how to prevent skin cancer as well as what signs to look for to determine if you need to talk to your dermatologist.

How to Prevent Skin Cancer

One of the biggest rules that most people are taught at a young age is to always wear sunscreen when going outside, which is an important tip to follow. It’s extremely important to wear sunscreen not only during the summer but year-round. People underestimate the strength of the winter sun, but it’s still important to protect your skin even when it may not feel like the sun is doing much. You should be wearing at least SPF 15 to get the full benefits of sunscreen.

In addition to wearing sunscreen, it’s important to:

• Avoid the sun during the peak hours of 10 A.M. and 4 P.M.
• Wear protective clothing, such as a sun hat or clothing that covers your arms and legs.
• Avoid tanning beds.
• Check your skin regularly and be on the lookout for any irregularities.

Signs of Skin Cancer

Your dermatologist in Rockville, MD, will do the final diagnosing, but it’s important that you do regular check-ups at home. Skin cancer usually develops on any area of the skin that has been exposed to UV rays, such as the scalp, face, neck, chest, arms, or legs.

Signs to keep an eye out for are:

• A bleeding or scabbing sore that continuously returns.
• A firm, red nodule.
• A mole that changes in size, color, or bleeds.
• A small lesion with an irregular border.
• A large brown spot with dark speckles.

Call Your Dermatologist Today

If you are concerned that you may have any of the symptoms of skin cancer, it’s important that you call your dermatologist at Shady Grove Dermatology, LLC in Rockville, MD, at (240) 246-7417 today!

Warts are small, granular growths on the skin. Typically, they occur on the fingers and hands. They may also have an appearance of tiny black dots, which are due to clotted blood vessels. Warts are caused by a virus and can be transmitted through contact. If you have contact with the virus, it can take up to six months for a wart to appear. Warts are usually harmless can often resolve without treatment. The team of dermatologists at Shady Grove Dermatology in Rockville is dedicated to providing each of their patients with high-quality health care for all their individual needs, including treatment for warts.

Symptoms of Warts

Rockville residents may notice the following symptoms:

• Small grainy bumps on the skin
• Lumps may be tan, pink, or white
• Lumps feel rough to the touch
• Lumps may contain tiny black dots

How to Avoid Warts

Although common warts cannot be entirely prevented, you can reduce your risk of contracting the virus by:

• Avoiding biting your cuticles and nails.
• Not sharing, razors, washcloths, or towels.
• Not touching another person’s warts.
• Keeping your feet dry.
• Wearing sandals or flip-flops around a pool or in a public locker room.

Treating Warts

You can treat warts at home with over-the-counter wart peeling medication. If you have tried treating warts at home but they persist or reappear, or they become painful, you should consult a dermatologist. You should also seek medical advice if your warts change appearance, size, or color.

Your dermatologist can treat your warts with stronger topical wart medication or using cryotherapy or laser treatment.

If you are a Shady Grove resident and you would like to find out more about wart treatment or you are looking for a dermatologist, call Shady Grove Dermatology at 240-246-7417 to schedule an appointment.

Although acne commonly affects adolescents, pimples can affect anyone at any age. They can be particularly embarrassing when they pop up during adulthood. The team of dermatologists at Shady Grove Dermatology in Rockville, MD, can help you with your adult acne. Here are some tips for avoiding acne.

Reducing Your Risk of Acne

Rockville residents can keep their skin clear of pimples in the following ways:

• Cleanse your face: Washing your face twice daily with a benzoyl peroxide cleanser will kill acne-causing bacteria.
• Eat a healthy diet: Many medical experts agree that reducing your consumption of carbohydrates and sugars can help reduce acne. Keeping a food diary will help you figure out if certain foods trigger an outbreak.
• Wash your face after a workout: Sweaty skin can contain bacteria. Showering and washing your face as soon as you can after a workout will reduce this.
• Check your moisturizer: You should use a moisturizer specifically designed for your face on your facial skin rather than using body lotion. Choose moisturizers that contain hyaluronic acid or glycerine, which help your skin to retain moisture. Talk to your Rockville acne expert to find products that work for you.
• Check your makeup: If you’re prone to acne, you should use oil-free, water-based makeup.
• Don’t touch your face: Every time you do, you are transferring oil, dirt, and bacteria from your hands to your face, which can increase your risk of a breakout.
• Watch out when you shave: If you’re prone to acne and you shave your face, it’s best to use an electric razor. Shave in the natural direction of your hair growth.
• Don’t pop pimples: Tempting as it may be, it will only make the situation worse, and it can leave you with ugly scars.

If you live in Rockville, MD, and you suffer from adult acne, call Shady Grove Dermatology at 240-246-7417 to schedule a consultation.