Cayman Dermatology

31/05/2023

Amongst the various risk factors for melanoma, exposure to UV radiation is the main one. ☀️

Sources of UV rays are sunlight and artificial light used in tanning beds and sunlamps. There is robust scientific evidence demonstrating that melanoma more frequently starts in areas of the body that are subject to frequent sunburns or are chronically exposed to UV radiation.

It's proven that skin sunburns in childhood become a risk factor for melanoma that develops in adulthood.

It's important to ‘know your own skin’ in order to recognise new and changed moles or spots. 🔎

For an early diagnosis, book an appointment for a skin cancer screening with our Specialist Dermatologists at Integra, Dr Davide Altamura and Dr Alison Duncan, here:
👉🏼 https://www.integra.ky/services/skin-cancer-screening/

24/05/2023

May is Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and it's important to understand the risks that can come with this type of cancer.

Melanoma is a cancer that usually originates from the skin and begins in the melanocytes, which are the cells making melanin, a brown pigment that protects the skin from the dangerous effect of sunlight. ☀️

It's important to identify and treat melanoma in the early stage when the cancerous melanocytes are confined to the upper layer of the skin without the ability to spread.

🧴 Be sure to use SPF, wear protective clothing, and check your skin for any unusual changes.

If you're unsure about your skin changes, you can find support and resources available on the Islands Cancer Society website: https://www.cics.ky/

Let’s spread the word and get educated on skin cancer.

If you have concerns or additional questions, book an appointment for a skin cancer screening with one of our Dermatologists at Integra, here 👉🏼 https://www.integra.ky/services/skin-cancer-screening/

18/05/2023

This lesion is not innocent, it is in fact suspicious.

This is a Lentigo Maligna, which is a type of skin cancer called melanoma, at its earliest stages. 🔎

It's important to have this investigated and treated. It's also important to have this done early because once developed, it can become far more difficult to treat. 🤕

Lentigo Maligna appears typically in sun-exposed areas, for example as a brown patch on the face, with an irregular outline, and then slowly enlarges and becomes darker or develops darker areas.

The commonest form of treatment for Lentigo Maligna is minor surgery. When identified early, generally the lesion can be completely removed and no further treatments are required.

09/04/2023

On behalf of the entire team, we want to wish you a very Happy Easter 🐣🐇

We hope you stay safe and healthy this holiday period and enjoy your time with family and friends.

Please note our clinic is now closed and will re-open Tuesday April 11th at 8am. 🕗

For any urgent concerns or queries during this time please visit our out-of-hours page here: https://www.integra.ky/out-of-hours/

06/04/2023

We hope you have a nice Easter weekend.

Please note the changes to our hours during the Easter Holiday period:

Friday 7th April (Good Friday): Closed
Saturday 8th April: 9am - 1pm
Monday 10th April (Easter Monday): Closed

For any urgent concerns during the Easter holiday visit: www.integra.ky/out-of-hours/

29/03/2023

With beautiful weather year round there are always fun outdoor activities to do in Cayman. However, there are a range of dangerous plants in the Cayman Islands to be aware of which can greatly impact your skin causing: contact dermatitis (skin irritation), burning, rashes or even more severe injuries.

In this article, we break down four common yet dangerous plants in the Cayman Islands and information on how to properly identify them from the Department of Environment (DOE) and what you do if your skin comes into contact with them.

https://www.integra.ky/dangerous-plants-in-the-cayman-islands/

28/03/2023

As Nutrition Month draws to a close, we wanted to provide some fun facts on nutrition and skin health!

If you’ve ever wondered what changes you can make to improve your skin health, this video is for you!

These tips were provided by our Dermatology team at Integra along with tips from Mayo Clinic. To read more about what foods you can include in your diet to help improve your skin health, visit Mayo Clinic's article here: https://bit.ly/3JQqAYn

17/03/2023

An new study indicates a correlation of children having a greater chance of getting atopic dermatitis (AD) if their parents have AD or asthma.

The detailed analysis of AD risk associated with parental atopy in early life “may help to risk stratify infants to optimize early interventions for prevention or early treatment of AD,” the authors wrote.

10/03/2023

Eczema is a common issue for patients using insulin pumps. A new research article suggests a possible improvement when using rich skin creams.

A simple skin management program can help kids keep using critical diabetes treatment devices, researchers reported.

04/03/2023

Many countries are still in winter; experiencing cold weather and even some snow!

For those who may soon be travelling to these countries and have eczema, we have written a short article with tips on how to deal with your eczema in changing weather along with some additional suggestions from the National Eczema Association:

This article breaks down top tips from National Eczema Association and our team here at Integra on dealing with Eczema in changing weather.

03/03/2023

New research suggests a possible link to climate change and eczema flare-ups

This article reviews the research on how climate change might be influencing the environmental factors that directly affect atopic dermatitis.

23/02/2023

A new study in Paediatric Dermatology offers greater evidence of preadolescent acne occurring more in children with elevated BMIs.

Leah Lalor, MD, a Paediatric Dermatologist who commented on the study, explained this to be the “...first study that gives incidence data for preadolescent acne…it will set the stage for further studies of preadolescents in the future”.

Read more here:

Although a high BMI is recognized as a strong risk factor for acne in adults, until now, results of pediatric studies looking at this association have been mixed, according to the investigators.

17/02/2023

The month of February is and in an effort to increase education and offer greater awareness on skin cancer, we asked our Specialist Dermatologists for Skin Cancer Prevention Tips & Advice.

We first start with Dr Davide Altamura, on Melanoma Prevention:

"There is no definitive way to prevent melanoma although there are strategies of prevention that can help to reduce the overall risk:

• Using appropriate sunscreens prior to sun exposure
• Wearing UV protective clothes, hats and sunglasses
• Education of children on the correct amount of exposure to sunlight
• Avoiding sun lamps and sunbeds, which is proven to increase the risk of skin
cancer, especially in young age.
• Using the ABCDE rule to detect an abnormal spots or moles:
- A is for asymmetry which mean that half of the lesion does not match with the
other.
- B and C applies to irregular borders and colours. Melanoma usually shows two
colours or more such as brown, black, pink and red, white and blue or it can
present with at least two shades of the same colour, most frequently light to
dark brown or pinkish to red.
- D is for diameter as melanoma usually starts looking different to common
moles when it measures more than 4-5mm.
- E is for evolving as melanoma changes in size, shape and colours."

09/02/2023

❤️ February is ❤️

Did you know there are several signs and symptoms of heart disease that may first show on your skin, meaning your dermatologist may be the first to spot it. The American Academy of Dermatology has written an article on some signs of heart disease that may appear on your skin.

View more here: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/heart-disease-warning-signs

If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch by contacting (345) 745-7450

Learn about 12 warning signs of heart disease that can appear on the skin.

17/01/2023

An important message from the Cayman Islands Department of Environment. Touching the Brazilian Peppertree can cause contact dermatitis, severe irritation and respiratory problems. Read more below⬇️

BEWARE BRAZILIAN PEPPERTREE

The Brazilian Peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolia), also known as Brazilian pepper, aroeira, rose pepper, Christmas berry or Florida Holly, is highly invasive, poisonous, South American plant that originally entered Cayman accidentally with a shipment of ornamental plants. It is a member of the poison oak and ivy family and was first detected in Cayman Brac in 2009, and later seen in Grand Cayman in 2020.

Department of Environment Research Officers recently discovered a new plot of Brazilian peppertrees in Newlands, Grand Cayman and have treated them to kill their root systems and marked them with caution tape to alert members of the public not to get close to this potent and harmful plant.

Brazilian Pepper can grow in most environments, but thrives in disturbed areas where water collects, like canals, drainage ditches, ponds, walking paths and road sides, and is often confused with mangrove and buttonwood. It can be identified by the compound leaf pattern and the distinct flowers and berries that turn from green to red. These berries do attract birds, which aids in wide seed dispersal.

If encountered, please do not attempt to cut down the tree as it is not only toxic to the skin and eyes but new shoots can grow from old stumps, stimulating propagation. Additionally, burning it releases an irritating and noxious smoke so the only way to ensure it does not spread is for it to be treated by professionals. We ask the public to please notify DoE if you suspect a plant might be a Brazilian Peppertree, by emailing DOE@gov.ky with location and photographs or calling 949-8469.

29/12/2022

On behalf of our entire team we want to wish you a Happy New Year!

Please note our New Year’s holiday hours:

- Saturday 31st December - New Year’s Eve: 9am - 1pm
- Monday 2nd January - New Year’s Day (Observed): Closed

For any urgent concerns or queries during this time contact:

- (345) 326-4370 - For babies and children
- (345) 939-9539 - For adults

If you have an emergency, please proceed straight to George Town Hospital or dial 911.

25/12/2022

On behalf of our entire team, we want to wish you a very Merry Christmas! 🎄

We hope you stay safe and healthy this holiday period and enjoy your time with family and friends.

Please note our clinic is now closed for the Christmas holidays and will re-open Wednesday December 28th. If you have any urgent concerns or queries during the holiday period, you can contact our out-of-hours telephone numbers:

- (345) 326-4370 - For babies and children
- (345) 939-9539 - For adults

If you have an emergency, please proceed straight to George Town Hospital or dial 911.

21/12/2022

Hi everyone,

We hope you’re enjoying the festive season so far!

Please note our opening hours for the Christmas holidays:
- Saturday 24th December - Christmas Eve: 9am - 1pm
- Monday 26th December - Christmas Day (Observed): Closed
- Tuesday 27th December - Boxing Day (Observed): Closed

Our clinic will reopen on Wednesday 28th December.