protecting pale skin

[Kate99]

Hi,

I have very pale skin and fair hair. I never tan and just burn. I am now contend with being pale and am proud of my fair skin. However in the past i have burnt myself, 3 times quite seriously. I now wear factor 50 and keep covered during the hottest periods of the day. I do a lot of swimming in the sea during the summer so i now wear a wetsuit to protect myself.

What should i look out for though on those areas i have previously burnt? On all 3 occasions i blistered badly. I don't have many moles or freckles so not sure what signs i should be looking for to detect skin cancer.

Thanks

[Nurse Deborah Mills]

Hello
If you have a new mole or patch of skin that changes in size, shape or colour over weeks or months then you need to make an appointment with your GP who can assess these changing moles and may refer you to a dermatologist for further investigations.
Other signs of skin cancer to look out for is:a new growth or sore that wont heal
;a spot, mole or sore that itches or hurts
;a mole or growth that bleeds, crusts or scabs
Continue using Factor 50, avoiding the mid day sun and covering up.
hope this helps
kr
Deborah Mills