Q: Dear Dr. O’Donoghue, I had a blood test that says I am vitamin D deficient. I know you can get some Vitamin D from going in the sun, but isn’t that a risky way to get it?

A: Dear Julia, You are absolutely correct. As a board certified dermatologist I find serious skin cancers every day that area the result of excessive skin exposure.  For my patients that are Vitamin D Deficient I recommend a diet high in vitamin D milk, cheese and fish.

If this is insufficient to correct the deficiency I recommend a supplemental oral vitamin spray that is easy to take and readily absorbed.  Only as a last resort do I recommend someone expose their skin to the harmful rays of the sun,