California Blogger Allergic to the Sun
- Andrea Ivonne Monroy, 27, has a rare skin disorder called xeroderma pigmentosum that makes her highly sensitive to UV rays.
- She has had many surgeries to remove her skin cancer, and her most recent diagnosis her 28th was in October 2020.
- Protect your skin from sun damage by covering up, as Monroy regularly does: wear sunscreen, wear layers over your skin and avoid direct sunlight.
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What is Xeroderma Pigmentosum?
The National Organization for Rare Disorders defines Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) as a rare inherited skin disorder characterized by a heightened sensitivity to the DNA damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation (UV). The main source of UV is the sun, which makes life for people like Monroy one which requires a lot of logistical planning.
Related: Tanning Salons Pose a Big Risk of Melanoma
Monroy must be vigilant about protecting her skin. She typically only goes outside at night, but on occasion, she needs to go to medical appointments during the day. She takes a solar meter with her at all times, to measure the UV wherever she goes. When the Californian goes outside, she wears protective clothing, too.
“I only ever go out in the day if I have a doctor’s appointment and I must wear protective clothing. Even if it is cloudy or raining, I have to wear long sleeves, hats and a face shield,” says Monroy. “It can sometimes get me down and I have the odd meltdown but I know I am doing the best I can.”
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Monroy has had many surgeries to remove her skin cancer, and her most recent diagnosis her 28th was in October 2020. The blogger says she’s been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma (BCC), melanoma and many pre-cancerous cells.
How to Protect Your Skin
Protecting one’s skin is especially critical for people diagnosed with Xeroderma pigmentosum. For the rest of us, it’s still highly important to protect the skin you’re in from sun damage that could result in cancer.
Related: Am I at High Risk for Melanoma?
Dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engleman explains in a previous interview five main ways you can protect your skin. She says:
- Avoid the sun during peak hours This means from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It doesn't mean you should never go outside during the middle of the day, but make sure you're protected when you do venture outdoors.
- Cover your skin and eyes A wide brim hat and sunglasses will protect your face, the top of your head, your ears, and the delicate skin around your eyes.
- Wear an SPF of 30 or higher This is easy enough. Plenty of facial moisturizers have SPF built into them.
- Get an annual skin check You can check your own skin for anything that looks out of the ordinary, but you should still get a yearly check to make sure you didn't miss anything. If you do happen to notice anything out of the ordinary in between checks, schedule an appointment to talk to your doctor about it ASAP it is always worth it to make sure.
- Avoid tanning beds.
Top 5 Ways to Protect Your Skin From Skin Cancer
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