Sunburn

Overview

You might notice your skin turning red after you've been in the sun for a while. After a while, your skin might feel hot, start to sting, and peel. You might feel sore, and your skin might darken or start to develop blisters within a few days.

These symptoms indicate a sunburn, which is a condition that occurs when you've received too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation from tanning or from being outside without adequate skin protection.

Your sunburn might also cause you to feel weak, lightheaded, dizzy, nauseated, or feverish. Severe symptoms will require hospitalization, especially if you are showing signs of dehydration and heat stroke.

When learning about your sunburn, is important to have a basic understanding of how ultraviolet radiation works. UV-radiation is emitted from the sun as part of a spectrum of waves. Waves on the spectrum have a short wavelength and travel at high speeds. UV-radiation is used in the creation of fluorescent and black lights. UV rays that come from the sun are classified as UVA, UVB, and UVC. For the most part, the earth's atmosphere blocks UVB and UVC, so it is UVA that is most responsible for causing mild sunburns. In any case, the Earth's ozone layer is depleting, which means that more UV rays can travel from the sun to the earth. Sunburns are becoming more serious and more common in parts of the world where the ozone layer has holes or is thin.

Sometimes, UVB will penetrate the atmosphere and cause your sunburn. UVB rays are dangerous since they can increase your risk to basal-cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, which are both cancers of the skin. UVB and UVA rays could also cause direct and indirect DNA damage that leads to malignant melanoma, which are thin, cancerous tumors of the skin. Malignant melanomas are most common if you have a fair complexion and family history of skin cancer.

In general, sunburns are relatively minor. The rare sunburn does not cause or indicate cancer. Nevertheless, you should take adequate precautions to protect yourself, especially if you burn easily. Excessive sun exposure will cause your skin to age prematurely, and you will be very uncomfortable.

Generally, the best method of protection against sunburns is with clothing. This can be tough, since you probably don't want to wear long sleeves or pants when it's hot out. In any case, if you have a predisposition to serious cancer, you will want to take all possible precautions, and you should consider staying indoors or finding ways to cover up and keep cool. You can also wear a hat to cover your scalp, which is also prone to painful burns.

Sunscreen will also protect you from UVA and UVB, but it will not necessarily prevent cancer or malignant melanomas. Some people will experience sunburns even when they apply sunscreen correctly and frequently. You can tell how powerful a sunscreen is by its Sun Protection Factor (SPF), which is in multiples of ten or five. Use a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays, and choose a waterproof sunscreen when necessary.

Everyone experiences burns differently, and you know your body best. Some people burn within minutes while others do not burn at all. Have an idea for how long you should stay out in the sun. Work with your primary care physician, oncologist, or dermatologist to develop a plan that is right for you.

Treatment

Your treatment will vary based on your pain threshold and burn severity. Some people do not require any sort of treatment. Sunburns will heal over time as your skin regenerates. Mild burns will take days to heal while serious burns might take weeks to heal.

If you are feeling sore or experience pain, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever. You can also apply a topic anesthetic in the form of a spray or ointment. Lidocaine and Benzocaine are both FDA approved and sold over-the-counter. Try an ice pack or cold compress to help relieve some of the pain.

If you feel itching and burning, you can apply Aloe vera and vitamin E creams. You might also want a cream to help with itching. Talk to a pharmacist or doctor to find a treatment that works best for you.

If your symptoms are severe, and if you show signs of heat stroke, you will likely need to visit a doctor or emergency room. If your symptoms persist, worsen, or worry you, you should not hesitate to talk to a doctor immediately.