Sunburn: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment


Sunburn: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment


Though sunburn is often laughed off as a side effect of a leisurely visit to the beach or the pool, it can be quite serious. In the United States, over 5.4 million cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer are treated each year and 90 percent of these cancers are associated with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. 

Causes =

Sunburns all start with melanin and UV rays. The UV rays found in sunlight and tanning beds damage the skin by damaging the DNA inside of cells. Once the DNA is damaged, the cell usually dies. Melanin is the skin's defense against this damage.
When the skin is exposed to the sun, it makes more melanin to protect the skin's lower layers from damage. As the skin becomes damaged, it produces even more melanin. The extra melanin causes some people to become a darker color, or tan. Other people turn red, which is a sign of a sunburn. The redness of a sunburn comes from the body flooding the area with blood to treat the damage and from inflammation of the skin. 

Here is how the Fitzpatrick Scale works:
  • Type 1 skin always burns and never tans, which is typical of redheads and platinum blondes. These people can spend a maximum time of 67 minutes, unprotected, in the sun divided by the UV index at that time. So, if the UV index is 12, the person can spend 5.85 minutes in the sun, unprotected, before burning.
  • Type 2 skin burns easily, but tans with difficulty. This is usually typical of blondes and those who are blue-eyed. Skin type 2 can spend a maximum time of 100 minutes divided by the UV index in the sun without burning.
  • Type 3 skin rarely burns and tans easily. This skin type usually belongs to those with brown or black hair and those with brown eyes. Skin type 3 can spend a maximum of 200 minutes divided by the UV index in the sun without burning.
  • Type 4 skin burns sometimes and tans easily. These people are usually of Mediterranean, Spanish or Indian decent. Skin type 4 can spend a maximum time 300 minutes divided by the UV index in the sun without burning.
  • Type 5 skin is dark brown and never burns, but tans easily. This is typical of darker Indian skin and some North African skin.
  • Type 6 is skin that has a lot of melanin and does not burn. This skin also tans easily, though it is hard to see since the skin is already so dark.

Symptoms =

Symptoms of a sunburn, which typically start a few hours after exposure, include hot, pink or red skin that can be tender to the touch. Some swelling may also occur. In severe cases, the person may experience headache, fever, fatigue and chills, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Symptoms of sunburn can last for days as the skin repairs. The worse the burn, the longer the healing will take. Typically, a sign that the end is near is the damaged areas peeling and falling off.Sunburn doesn't only happen to skin, though. Eyes can also be sunburned. Sunburned eyes often feel gritty or painful, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Prevention =

"The best way to approach a sunburn is to prevent it," said Lee. To prevent sunburns, Lee suggests avoiding the sun by seeking shade (especially when the sun's rays are the strongest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), cover up with sun-protective clothing and a hat and wear sunscreen. "A shot glass (1 ounce) of sunscreen is an adequate amount to be used when most of your skin is exposed while wearing a swimsuit and should be reapplied every two hours," said Lee.
Sun-protective swimwear and UV blocking tint on car and home windows can also prevent unintentional burns. These can be particularly helpful for those who easily burn.
Sunglasses that block 100 percent of UV rays is key to preventing eye burn and damage to the eye.





































































































































































































































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