My Skin, My Health

Sunburn is the skin's reaction to too much sun exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. You can see sunlight and feel the heat (infrared radiation), but you can't see or feel UV radiation. It can damage your skin even on cool, cloudy days. Sunburn is inflamed, painful skin that feels hot to the touch. It often appears within a few hours of being in the sun too long. You can get sunburn relief with simple self-care measures such as taking pain relievers and cooling the skin. But it may take days for the sunburn to fade.

Preventing sunburn year-round by wearing sunscreen or using other skin-protection habits is important for everyone. It is especially important when you're outdoors, even on cool or cloudy days. Although it may seem like a temporary condition, sunburn can cause long-lasting damage to the skin. The long-term effects of repeated bouts of sunburn include premature wrinkling and an increased risk of skin cancer, including melanoma (the most dangerous type of skin cancer).

The signs of sunburn can start to appear in as little as 11 minutes and skin can turn red within 2 to 6 hours of being burnt. It will continue to develop for the next 24 to 72 hours and, depending on the severity, can take days or weeks to heal.

Types of sunburn

· First-Degree Burn

The least harmful burn is the first-degree burn, also called superficial skin burn. This burn makes your skin red, dry, and painful when you touch it. This is the most common type of sunburn and can heal within 3 to 6 days.

· Second-Degree Burn

The second-degree type of burn, also called superficial partial-thickness burn, affects the top two layers of your skin. It will hurt if the temperature changes or if you touch it. You may see blisters appear on your burn, which holds leak fluid. This type of sunburn will heal in 7 to 21 days and the color of the original skin may be lighter or darker. You might develop a scar with this type of burn.

· Third-Degree Burn

The third-degree burn, also called deep partial-thickness burn, is deeper than the second-degree burn and is more severe. This burn will most definitely give you blisters and takes even longer to heal. This burn will give you a scar if it doesn’t heal by the 21st day.

· Fourth-Degree Burn

The last type of burn is very serious and is to be avoided at all costs. This is the fourth-degree burn, also called full-thickness burn, and it would be treated like surgery. It affects all the layers of skin and possibly the fat and muscle underneath as well. This burn makes the skin turn a different color, normally white, grey, or black, and you could end up in the hospital for days taking medications, this type of burn can cause severe long-term damage to your skin.

Symptoms

· Inflamed skin, which looks pink or red on white skin and may be harder to see on brown or Black skin

· Skin that feels warm or hot to the touch

· Pain, tenderness, and itching

· Swelling

· Small, fluid-filled blisters, which may break

· Headache, fever, nausea, and fatigue, if the sunburn is severe

· Eyes that feel painful or gritty

Any exposed part of the body — including the earlobes, scalp, and lips — can burn. Even covered areas can burn if, for example, clothing has a loose weave that allows ultraviolet (UV) light through. The eyes, which are extremely sensitive to the sun's UV light, also can burn.

When to see a doctor

See your health care provider if you:

· Develop large blisters

· Develop blisters on the face, hands, or genitals

· Experience severe swelling of the affected area

· Show signs of infection, such as blisters with pus or streaks

· Experience worsening pain, headache, confusion, nausea, fever, or chills

· Get worse despite at-home care

· Have eye pain or vision changes

Seek immediate medical care if you are sunburned and experience:

· A fever over 103 F (39.4 C) with vomiting

· Confusion

· An infection

· Dehydration

· Cold skin, dizziness, or faintness

Causes

Sunburn is caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. UV light may be from the sun or artificial sources, such as sunlamps and tanning beds. UVA is the wavelength of light that can penetrate the deep layers of skin and lead to skin damage over time. UVB is the wavelength of light that penetrates the skin more superficially and causes sunburn.

You can get sunburned on cool or cloudy days. Surfaces such as snow, sand, and water can reflect UV rays and burn skin too.

Risk factors

· Having white skin and red hair

· Fair or light skin

· Having a history of sunburn

· Living or vacationing somewhere sunny, warm, or at a high altitude

· Working outdoors

· Swimming or spraying your skin with water or baby oil, as wet skin tends to burn more than dry skin

· Mixing outdoor recreation and drinking alcohol

· Regularly exposing unprotected skin to UV light from sunlight or artificial sources, such as tanning beds

· Taking a drug that makes you more likely to burn (photosensitizing medication)

Complications

Intense, repeated sun exposure that results in sunburn increases your risk of other skin damage and certain diseases. These include premature aging of the skin (photoaging), precancerous skin lesions, and skin cancer.

Premature aging of your skin

Sun exposure and repeated sunburns speed up the skin's aging process. Skin changes caused by UV light are called photoaging. The results of photoaging include:

· Weakening of connective tissues, which reduces the skin's strength and elasticity

· Deep wrinkles

· Dry, rough skin

· Fine red veins on the cheeks, nose, and ears

· Freckles, mostly on the face and shoulders

· Dark or discolored spots (macules) on the face, back of hands, arms, chest, and upper back — also called solar lentigines.

Prevention

Use these methods to prevent sunburn, even on cool, cloudy, or hazy days. Sun exposure on cloudy days is decreased by about 20%.

· Be extra careful around water, snow, concrete, and sand because they reflect the sun's rays. In addition, UV light is more intense at high altitudes.

· Avoid sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The sun's rays are strongest during these hours, so try to schedule outdoor activities for other times. If you can't do that, limit the time you're in the sun. Seek shade when possible.

· Avoid sun tanning and tanning beds. Getting a base tan doesn't decrease your risk of sunburn. If you use a self-tanning product to look tan, also apply sunscreen before going outdoors.

· Use sunscreen often and generously. Use water-resistant, broad-spectrum lip balm and sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30, even on cloudy days. Broad-spectrum products offer protection against ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays. No sunscreen can block 100% of the sun's UVB rays.

· About 30 minutes before going outdoors, generously apply your sunscreen to clean, dry skin.

· If you're using a product that contains physical blockers (titanium oxide, zinc oxide), apply it over any other products you're wearing — except insect repellent. Insect repellent goes on last. Physical blockers provide the most effective protection for sensitive skin.

· Reapply sunscreen every two hours — or more often if you're swimming or perspiring. If you're wearing makeup and want to reapply your sunscreen without redoing your whole face, one option is to use an SPF powder over makeup.

· The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires all sunscreen to retain its original strength for at least three years. Check sunscreen labels for directions on storing and expiration dates. Throw away sunscreen if it's expired or more than three years old.

· Protect babies and toddlers. Protect babies and toddlers from sunburn with brimmed hats and lightweight clothing that covers the arms and legs. The American Academy of Dermatology and the FDA don't suggest sunscreen for children under 6 months.

· If sun-protective clothing and shade aren't available, sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are the next best choice.

· Cover up. When outside, other items such as umbrellas or wide-brimmed hats can offer protection in addition to sunscreen. Dark clothing with a tight weave offers more protection.

· Be aware of sun-sensitizing medications and cosmetics. Some common prescription and nonprescription drugs can make skin more sensitive to sunlight. Talk with your pharmacist or health care provider about the side effects of the drugs you take. Cosmetics that contain alpha-hydroxy acids also increase sun sensitivity.

How to treat sunburn

· 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. Follow these dermatologists' tips to help relieve the discomfort.

· 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. Then, apply a moisturizer to help trap the water in your skin. This can help ease the dryness.

· Use a moisturizer that contains aloe vera or soy to help soothe sunburned skin. If a particular area feels especially uncomfortable, you may want to apply a hydrocortisone cream that you can buy without a prescription. Do not treat sunburn with “-caine” products (such as benzocaine), as these may irritate the skin or cause an allergic reaction.

· If your skin blisters, allow the blisters to heal. Blistering skin means you have a second-degree sunburn. You should not pop the blisters, as blisters form to help your skin heal and protect you from infection.

· Avoid using soap as this may irritate your skin.

· Keep out of the sun until your skin has completely healed.

Home remedies for sunburn

Cool water

An effective way to immediately help sunburn, even while you’re still outside, is to hop in the water, whether it’s an ocean, lake, or stream. Dipping in and out throughout the day can help keep sunburn from worsening. Be wary of pools, as chlorinated water can irritate the skin more. You should also avoid directly applying ice. Although it may look appealing when your skin is burning, it could cause even more damage to your extra-sensitive sunburned skin.

Baking soda and oatmeal

Throwing a few heaping tablespoons of baking soda into a bathtub full of cool water and soaking for about 15 to 20 minutes helps minimize sun damage. Adding a cup of oats to the bath also soothes irritation and helps the skin retain its natural moisture.

Aloe vera

If you don’t have an aloe vera plant in your house, you should get one. The gel inside this succulent plant has been used for centuries for all sorts of ailments, from upset stomachs to kidney infections. It’s also the sunburn relief most commonly found over the counter.

Chamomile tea

Chamomile tea can be soothing to your spirit, but it can also soothe your sunburned skin. Brew the tea as you normally would and let it cool. When it’s ready, soak a washcloth in it and apply it to the affected area. If you are allergic to pollen, you shouldn’t use this treatment. It may cause an allergic reaction to your skin.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How long does sunburn last?

If you have a first-degree or mild sunburn, it will typically take a few days to heal on its own. If your burn is more severe, it requires immediate medical treatment to heal properly.

How should I treat a sunburn on the face?

Treat your face sunburn as you would sunburn on any other part of the body. However, it is a good idea to protect your head, neck, and shoulders more by wearing a hat with a wide brim to avoid being burned in those areas. It is also important to avoid staring at the sun directly and wear sunglasses, especially on really hot days, to protect your eyes from a condition called photokeratitis.

Do Sunburns Turn into Tans?
After you heal from a sunburn, the affected area may be more tan than usual, but tanning is just another form of skin damage caused by ultraviolet radiation.

Do Sunburns Turn into Freckles?
Freckles are caused by excess levels of melanin in the skin. When your skin absorbs ultraviolet rays from the sun, your freckles will become more apparent.