As summer is almost here we thought it would be appropriate to mark the occasion by interviewing the Head of the Dermatology and Venereology Unit, Dr. Enrique Herrera, in order that he can advise us how to protect ourselves against the sun.

What is the best way to care for our skin prior to sun exposure?   

Maintain healthy habits. The sun is a source of life, when we expose ourselves to it we have to bear in mind our skin tone, the type of activity we are doing outside, and the time of day, in order that we don’t get sunburnt. Methods of solar protection are vital such as wearing a hat, t-shirt, sunglasses, etc. It is also important to consume antioxidents (fruits, vegetables, foods with high vitamin content….) in order to reduce wherever possible the damage that the sun can have on our skin.

Which types of skin are the most sensitive to UVA rays?  

Those people with the palest skin are those who suffer most. The lighter our skin colour the faster we burn, and the less time we can be exposed to the sun. Regarding children, prior to 3 years of age children should not be exposed directly to the sun, and definately not without sunscreen. At this age the skin has not yet developed the capacity to defend itself from ultraviolet radiation.

If our skin has a lot of moles, when should we go to see a specialist?

Those persons who have more than 40 moles, a personal or family history of melanoma, or those who have noticed a change in one of their moles (shape, color, edges, diameter, rasised…), should visit a doctor to get it checked out.

What is a melonoma?     

Melanoma is the generic name given to melanic or pigmented tumours. It is a form of cancer which begins in the melanocytes (the cells which make the melanine pigment). This can start out as a mole (cutaneous melanoma), but can also begin in other pigmented tissues such as the eye or the intestines. It is highly invasive and has a capacity to generate metastasis.

Apart from skin cancer, what other conditions are we susceptable to if we don’t protect ourselves properly?

The list would be extensive, however nowadays the most frequent are probably sun intolerences (known commonly as allergies to the sun), and all of the pathologies which derive from photoaging (stains, wrinkles, extreme dryness of the skin …etc)

 5 tips in order to care for our skin?    

• Use a sunscreen suitable for our skin type
• Use moisturisers for cutaneous hydration
• Use soaps suited to our skin type
• Provide our bodies with antioxidents
• Maintain a balanced diet

Dr. Enrique Herrera

Head of the Dermatology and Veneriology Unit

Pregnancy and breast feeding are two very important stages in a womans life. These produce a series of pysiological changes which mean that the woman must pay more attention to her diet. Good nutrition during this period results in a multitude of benefits both for the mother and for the baby in the long term. It is vital to maintain a balanced diet, eating little and often throughout the day (4-5 times), and eating a variety of foods.  It is also important to use healthier cooking methods (boiling, steaming, grilling) and to avoid excess fats (frying).

During these stages the woman requires an increased amount of certain nutrients such as: calcium, folic acid, iron, proteins, and in general higher energy foods (between 250- 500 calories extra). In many cases ensuring that these nutritional requirements are covered without having to increase calories intake is difficult. Therefore it is recommended that the woman is advised by a nutritionist. It is not a case of increasing portion size, but a case of adequately selecting the correct foods. For example, during this phase it is fundamental to increase the consumption of wholegrain cereals, fruit, vegetables, root vegetables, and pulses. It is important to reduce oil and fat, particularly animal fats.  (sausages, fatty meats, full fat dairy products).

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that women follow a healthy diet during pregnancy because in recent years it has been proven that adequate nutrition during the pregnancy and breast feeding stage has positive effects on the baby, both in the short and long term.  It also prevents important problems such as infections, and reduces the risk of the baby developing diabetes and other metabolic related conditions during their lifetime. Adequate nutrition also improves the babys immune system.

Within the Endocrinology and Nutrition Unit at Vithas Xanit International Hospital there are dieticians who can assess the patient and give them a personalised diet plan. Furthermore, we offer a Service based on the WhatsApp platform which allows the patient to have live, direct contact with a dietician, and to resolve their questions in an instant. This unit is also specialised in dietary disorders such as thyroid problems, diabetes, obesity, and increased lipids, amongst other illnesses. The hospital also has a medical team who care for patients with aflictions of the endocrine system. These pathologies, although less frequent, require highly specialised studies such as hypothalamus, hypophysis, para thyroid glands, and the adrenal and gonads of both sexes.

Dr. Diego Fernández

Nutritionist at Vithas Xanit International Hospital