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Nurses and Parents Should Work Together to Protect Children From Excessive Sun Exposure
With proper guidance and support from nurses, parents can reduce their children’s risk for skin cancer by implementing sun safety techniques to protect them from the sun’s harmful rays. In the December 2005 issue of Dermatology Nursing, Maryellen Maguire-Eisen, MSN, RN, OCN, executive director, Sun Protection Foundation, and co-authors describe what nurses can do to educate parents on sun protection techniques.
Skin cancer is associated with both intense sporadic sun exposure and chronic exposure, according to the authors. They recommend nurses educate parents on the dangers of overexposure to intense ultraviolet (UV) rays and the benefits of using portable shade when outside, including parasols, beach umbrellas and sun tents; wearing sun-protective clothing, such as hats, T-shirts and sunglasses; and using sunblock. Protecting children from excessive sun exposure without impeding recreational activities should be nurses’ goal.
Maguire-Eisen and co-authors also suggest school nurses help protect children from overexposure to UV rays at school and recommend implementing a sun safety curriculum. The authors offer a list of sun protection resources, many of which are available for free and can be easily modified to fit any school’s needs. For more information about the Sun Protection Foundation, visit www.sunprotectionfoundation.org. (The ABCs of Sun Protection for Children; Maryellen Maguire-Eisen, MSN, RN, OCN; Karen Rothman, MD; Marie France Demierre, MD, FRCPC; Dermatology Nursing; December 2005; www.dermatologynursing.net)
Deep Chemical Peel Is Excellent Tool for Facial Skin Rejuvenation
Such skin abnormalities as dyschromia, fine or course wrinkles, acne scars and premalignant skin tumors can be successfully treated with a deep chemical peel, often more effectively than with other medical or surgical methods. In the December 2005 issue of Dermatology Nursing, Marina Landau, MD, recommends deep chemical peel to rejuvenate facial skin and describes the techniques used during the peel and potential complications.
The nonsurgical procedure is relatively pain-free due to IV sedation, says Landau. The procedure includes applying the peeling solution, leaving a waterproof zinc oxide tape mask on the face for 24 hours and covering the face with a regenerative mask (bismuth subgallate powder) which stays on for seven days. Landau recommends patients take pain killers for the first two days.
Complications do exist with deep chemical peel, the most serious of which is cardiac arrhythmia. Landau advises physicians perform full cardiopulmonary monitoring during deep chemical peel. Other complications include scarring, changes in pigmentation, infection and skin atrophy. According to Landau, aside from these potential complications, deep chemical peel is a safe and cost-effective treatment that provides high patient satisfaction. (Advances in Deep Chemical Peels; Marina Landau, MD; Dermatology Nursing; December 2005; www.dermatologynursing.net)
Living With Pityriasus Rubra Pilaris
A new feature in Dermatology Nursing in 2005 is the series “Patients’ Perspectives: Living With...," a column designed to help dermatology nurses better understand the physical and emotional challenges faced by patients with chronic dermatologic diseases or conditions. In the column, patients answer specific questions about diagnosis, treatment, education, support and life changes. In this column, a patient describes her life-changing experiences after being diagnosed with pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP).
In a corresponding article, David Jerard Pincus, MD, describes the five clinical presentations of PRP and recommends physicians become knowledgeable about the different presentations in order to treat the condition appropriately.
PRP is a rare skin condition with symptoms that include reddish-brown discoloration, scaling, and severe skin flaking. Pincus says patients may initially present with redness and scaling of the face and scalp as well as lesions in hair follicles. PRP can be inherited or acquired and affects all ages and races. The cause of PRP is unknown, and a cure is also unknown.
According to Pincus, patients experience a variety of clinical progressions but treatments are available for all types. He notes the majority of PRP patients have a favorable prognosis. (Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris: A Clinical Review; David Jerard Pincus, MD; Dermatology Nursing; December 2005; www.dermatologynursing.net)