centralfloridahealthnews.com CFHN | 11 dehydration, confusion, high fever, or worsening illness. HEAT RASHES VERSUS SUN RASHES Heat rashes, he explains, are caused by something completely different. Whereas burns are caused by radiation, heat rashes are from just that — heat and sweat. “It’s from overheating and over-sweating in a hot environment,” Roth explains. “When you’re hot and you’re sweating, and you have some sort of clothing on, typically the sweat glands get clogged.” The result can be itchy red bumps on the chest, back, armpits or other areas where skin touches skin or clothing rubs. At-home care usually starts with cooling the skin. Moving into air conditioning or shade, changing out of sweaty clothing and keeping the area dry can help. Because heat rash is not a burn, the goal is to reduce sweating and friction so the blocked sweat glands can settle down. Roth says “sun rash” is not a term dermatologists typically use for one single condition. Instead, sun exposure can trigger several different reactions. “It’s not a sunburn,” Roth says. “It’s a reaction between the ultraviolet light and something else.” Some people develop hives from sunlight, known as solar urticaria. Others may have medical conditions, including forms of lupus, that flare after sun exposure. Another condition, polymorphous light eruption, is sometimes called a sun allergy. Roth says it can appear when people get their first significant ultraviolet exposure of the season. “It’s sort of an itchy, annoying rash,” Roth says. Certain medications can also make the skin more sensitive to ultraviolet light. Roth says some reactions come from plants or fruit juices that touch the skin before sun exposure. Those reactions are different from a typical sunburn and show how sunlight can interact with the body, medications, or substances on the skin. WHEN TO GET HELP While sunburns, heat rashes, and sun rashes can be treated at home, it’s important to know when to seek medical help. “If you’re getting systemic symptoms — you’re getting fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, you’re feeling sick, you’re dehydrated, you’re having a lot of pain — then you need to seek medical attention,” Roth says. A typical sunburn that is red, painful and warm can usually be treated with cool compresses, pain relievers, and soothing products. But Roth says widespread blistering or signs of illness should not be ignored. People should also seek care when a rash is unusual, keeps returning after sun exposure, appears after starting a new medication or is accompanied by significant swelling, pain, or signs of infection. HEALTHY SKIN STARTS BEFORE THE BURN Healthy skin begins with consistent protection from the sun. “I recommend at least an SPF 30,” he says. “I usually recommend SPF 50 because most people don’t put enough sunscreen on to get the SPF that’s on the bottle.” But sunscreen is only one part of protecting the skin. “It’s not just sunscreen,” Roth says. “It’s wearing sunglasses, it’s wearing protective clothing, it’s seeking shade.” He says keeping the skin barrier healthy is also important, especially for people who already have skin conditions. “You want to keep your skin as healthy as possible by using the right kinds of skin products and mild soaps, and moisturizing if your skin tends to be dry,” he says. Summer skin problems are common, but they are not all the same. Understanding what is causing a reaction can help people decide how to treat it and when to seek medical care. HN Roan Cadavona, APRN, FNP-C Nurse Practitioner Ritu Aparajita, MD, RPVI Vascular Surgeon Kollagunta Chandrasekhar, MD, FACC Cardiologist Milcah Grace S. Caculitan, APRN, FNP-C Nurse Practitioner K.S. Chandrasekhar, MD, FCC …established his clinic over 20 years ago. He is well known in the community and trusted for his accurate diagnosis and compassionate care. Ritu Aparajita, MD, RPVI Roan Cadavona, APRN, FNP-C Milcah Grace S. Caculitan, APRN, FNP-C • Board certified Family Nurse Practitioner • Member of Staff for BayCare Winter Haven Hospital • Board certified in Cardiovascular Disease and Internal Medicine • Executive Director the Heart Function Clinic, Low Risk Chest Pain Center and the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program for BayCare Winter Haven Hospital • Staff for BayCare Winter Haven Hospital • Staff for Lake Wales Medical Center • Clinical Associate Professor, FSU College of Medicine • Nursing School: Laguna College. San Pablo City, Philippines • Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Laguna College, San Pablo City, Philippines • Master of Science in Nursing: University of South Florida, Tampa, FL • Board Certification: Family Nurse Practitioner • Hospital Affiliations BayCare Winter Haven Hospital A Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon who earned her MBBS at University of Delhi, India. She then completed a research fellowship at Columbia University Medical Center and a residency in general surgery at Staten Island University Hospital in New York, she completed her fellowship training in Vascular Surgery at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and St. Barnabas Medical Center in New Jersey. She’s co-authored more than two dozen journal articles. She was recently nominated for the American Medical Association Inspiration Award that recognizes physicians who have contributed to the achievements of women in the medical profession. …brings a high level of education and experience in Cardiac Catheterization, Electrophysiology and working in the Cardiovascular Progressive Care unit. He serves a vital role in providing patients with optimal cardiovascular care through counselling and screening, as well as disease prevention and management strategies. Upon receiving her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of South Florida, Milcah worked as a Nurse Practitioner at a Neurology Clinic for 10 years. Prior to that she spent 8 years as a Charge Nurse in the Medical Surgical Unit at Lake Wales Medical Center. These experiences have enhanced her perspective on providing exceptional care. She prides herself in taking the extra time to listen and educate patients while promoting participation in their cardiac health. Milcah believes in the importance of the patient-provider relationship and is committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care.
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