Medical Centric

SUNBURN

Skin Conditions / By

SUNBURN

Reddening, inflammation, and, in severe cases, blistering and peeling of the skin caused by overexposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun.

CAUSES

You already know the simple explanation behind sunburn. When your skin is exposed to the sun for a period of time, eventually it burns, turning red and irritated.

Under the skin, things get a little more complicated. The sun gives off three wavelengths of ultraviolet light:

  • UVA
  • UVB
  • UVC
  • UVC light doesn’t reach the Earth’s surface. The other two types of ultraviolet light not only reach your beach towel, but they penetrate your skin. Skin damage is caused by both UVA and UVB rays.
  • Sunburn is the most obvious sign that you’ve been sitting outside for too long. But sun damage isn’t always visible. Under the surface, ultraviolet light can alter your DNA, prematurely aging your skin. Over time, DNA damage can contribute to skin cancers, including deadly melanoma.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

It takes less than 15 minutes to burn and, depending on the severity, more than those 15 minutes spent outside could result in sun poisoning. The short-term negative effects of sun poisoning manifest themselves for the next 4-7 days, with more severe long-term effects extending beyond the first week.

The main symptom of sunburn is a burning “rash” where the skin reddens, dries up and peels off. Sun poisoning’s additional and more severe symptoms include:

  • Swelling
  • Large blisters
  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Rapid pulse and breathing
  • Fainting
  • Dehydration.

If you experience any of these symptoms seek immediate medical attention. If not treated early and properly, sun poisoning can increase the risk of developing skin cancer.

Treatment

Your skin can burn if it gets too much sun without proper protection from sunscreen and clothes. To help heal and soothe stinging skin, it is important to begin treating sunburn as soon as you notice it. The first thing you should do is get out of the sun—and preferably indoors.

Once indoors, these dermatologists’ tips can help relieve the discomfort:

  1. Take frequent cool baths or showers to help relieve the pain. As soon as you get out of the bathtub or shower, gently pat yourself dry, but leave a little water on your skin.
  2. Use a moisturizer that contains aloe vera or soy to help soothe sunburned skin.
  3. Consider taking aspirin or ibuprofen to help reduce any swelling, redness and discomfort.
  4. Drink extra water. A sunburn draws fluid to the skin’s surface and away from the rest of the body. Drinking extra water when you are sunburned helps prevent dehydration.
  5. If your skin blisters, allow the blisters to heal. Blistering skin means you have a second-degree sunburn.
  6. Take extra care to protect sunburned skin while it heals. Wear clothing that covers your skin when outdoors. Tightly woven fabrics work best.