Sunscreens for non-dermatologists: what you should know when counseling patients.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a notorious environmental carcinogen. Acute and chronic UV radiation exposure increase the risk for skin cancer. Protecting oneself from both UVA and UVB radiation with broad-based sunscreen can prevent certain skin cancers, their precursors, and photoaging.

Vitamin D: bone and beyond, rationale and recommendations for supplementation.

Adequate vitamin D status is necessary and beneficial for health, although deficiency plagues much of the world's population. In addition to reducing the risk for bone disease, vitamin D plays a role in reduction of falls, as well as decreases in pain, autoimmune diseases, cancer, heart disease, mortality, and cognitive function. On the basis of this emerging understanding, improving patients' vitamin D status has become an essential aspect of primary care.

Moisturizer allergy: diagnosis and management.

Background: Moisturizers are used by patients with dry skin conditions as well as those with healthy skin to enhance and preserve the smoothness of the skin and to interrupt the dry-skin cycle. Moisturizers are generally considered safe, although skin reactions, such as allergic contact dermatitis from topical preparations may occur. Cosmetic products including moisturizers are among the main culprits of allergic contact dermatitis.