10 | CFHN centralfloridahealthnews.com Dr. William Roth, a Watson Clinic dermatologist who has been practicing for 32 years, says heat rash, sun rash, sunburn, and sun poisoning are often confused, with different causes and levels of concern. SUNBURN IS A BURN “A sunburn is a first-degree burn of your skin,” he says. It develops after ultraviolet exposure damages the skin, causing pain, redness and inflammation. Roth says fairer skin burns faster than darker skin, though everyone can experience ultraviolet damage. “There’s no such thing as a safe tan,” Roth says. “All tanning, regardless of what your baseline skin color is, is a reaction to ultraviolet damage of the skin.” Once a sunburn develops, treatment should focus on comfort while the body heals. “You’re treating symptomatically,” Roth says. “There’s not really anything you could do to speed up the resolution of the burn.” Roth recommends cool compresses and over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Aloe vera can also help soothe the skin, especially when used cold. “A pure [aloe vera] gel, and especially if you keep it in the refrigerator so it’s even more cooling when you use it, is very good,” he says. WHEN SUNBURN BECOMES SUN POISONING “Sun poisoning is really just the severe, widespread sunburn,” Roth explains. When blistering occurs, the burn becomes a second-degree burn. The major difference is the body’s overall reaction. Roth says severe cases can cause symptoms beyond the skin. “You can get fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dehydration, and significant pain,” he says. Burned skin also can affect the body’s fluid balance. When skin blisters or becomes inflamed, the body can lose more fluid through the skin. If blisters open, the risk of infection increases. “The important thing about a blister you get of any kind is you shouldn’t pop it,” he says. Medical attention may be needed if blistering is widespread, symptoms are severe, or the person develops signs of ADVERTORIAL HEART NEWS T hrombophlebitis is an inflam- matory process that causes a blood clot to block a vein. It happens more commonly in the legs, but it can happen in any part of the body like the wall of the ab- domen. When it occurs in a vein near the skin surface, it is called su- perficial thrombophlebitis and this develops as a complication of a varicose vein. As we know, varicose veins are big, dilated, twisted, and swollen veins that often have slow or poor blood flow. Sluggish blood flow makes it easier for blood clots to form, which triggers inflammation in the vein wall. While superficial thrombophlebitis is generally localized and much less serious than deep venous thrombosis, it does require evaluation by a vascular surgeon to prevent it from spreading toward the deep venous system. On examination, the veins are painful and tender, with redness, warmth, and swelling. The treatment is over-the-counter pain relievers like Motrin (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs) taken regularly for a week to 10 days, warm compresses to the affected area, compression stockings if in the leg, and elevation. If the clot is extensive, then blood thinner medication may be needed. If the clot is close to where superficial veins join the deep veins, additional procedures may be needed. Superficial thrombophlebitis typically improves on its own in two to six weeks. However, it is important to monitor for signs of progression and make sure that it is not extending into the deep veins or traveling to the lungs — serious conditions known as deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. BIO: Dr. Aparajita is a fellowship-trained vascular and endovascular surgeon. She is a co-author of 20-plus journal articles and publications and was recently nominated for an Inspiration Award by the American Medical Association. This column is sponsored by KSC Cardiology, and the opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of CFHN or of its advertisers. RITU APARAJITA, MD, RPVI KSC Cardiology Painful, Red, Swollen Veins? It Could Be Thrombophlebitis EDITION FEATURE From Sunburn to Heat Rash, Watson Clinic Dermatologist Troubleshoots Summer Skin Problems by SHAYLYNN MARKS ROTH S ummer heat and sun exposure can trigger several common skin problems, but not every red, itchy, or painful rash means the same thing. Burned, Blistered, or Breaking Out?
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