Sunburn

A sunburn is a burn to living tissue such as skin or leaves produced by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation, commonly from the sun 's rays. Nearly everyone has been sunburned or will become sunburned at some time. Any person who visits a beach, goes fishing, works in the yard, or simply is out in the sun can get sunburn.

Sunburns can adversarial affect your health, therefore should not be ignored. They can even result to a person's death. Fair people are at a higher risk of forming sunburns. While the signs are usually temporary (such as red skin that is painful to the touch), the skin damage is usually permanent and can have serious long-term health effects, involving skin cancer.

Ultraviolet light causes variations in the surface and in the deeper layers of the skin. It reduces the stretchiness of the skin and can cause premature aging and wrinkling of the skin, as well as the development of age spots.

Most sunburns cause moderate pain and redness but affect only the outer layer of skin ( first-degree burns ). The red skin might hurt when you touch it. These sunburns are mild and can usually be treated at home. Children are at the highest risk. More than half of a lifetime's sun exposure usually occurs during childhood. Mild sunburn generally lasts 3-5 days. Mild or severe sunburn usually lasts at least several days longer.

Sunburn should never be taken lightly as it may even result to death or permanent disability. UV-A is very harmful and enters not only the skin, but also the eyes. UV-A rays penetrate the skin the deepest. Minor sunburns basically cause nothing more than slight redness and tenderness to the affected areas. In more severe cases blistering can occur.

Excessive sunburns can be painful to the point of debilitation and may need hospital care. Sunburn doesn't just arises in hot weather - reflection of light off the snow can also cause sunburn. Though a breeze, cloudy sky or swimming may make you feel cooler, the sunlight can still get through to damage your skin. Sunburn may happen in less than 15 minutes of sun exposure for light-skinned persons while it may take hours for a dark-skinned person to form a sunburn.

Children who have moles, or freckles, or who have a family history of skin cancer, are more prone to develop skin cancer in later years. You're more likely to get sunburnt when you're relaxing and taking it easy, such as watching outdoor sports or picnicking at the park. Sunburn can easily be prevented through the use of sunscreen, clothing (and hats), and by limiting solar exposure, specially during the midtime of the day.

Causes of Sunburn

The common causes and risk factor's of Sunburn include the following:

UVA and UVB refer to different wavelengths in the light spectrum. UVB is more damaging to the skin especially for skin cancer . Both UVA and UVB are responsible for photoaging (premature aging of the skin and wrinkles ) and sunburn.
Sun lamps can cause severe sunburn..
Certain light-skinned and fair-haired people are at greater risk of sunburn injury.
Prior recent sun exposure.
Outdoor activities like swimming, skiing and hiking.
Antibacterial agents used in soaps.

Symptoms of Sunburn

Some symptoms related to Sunburn are as follows:

Skin becomes reddish and tender.
Development of blisters.
Mild and uncomplicated cases of sunburn usually result in minor skin redness and irritation.
Skin peeling on sunburned areas several days after the sunburn.
Chills and fever.
Skin feels hot to the touch.
Low blood pressure.

Treatment of Sunburn

Here is list of the methods for treating Sunburn:

A medicine known as Indocin if taken soon after a sunburn will help reduce the pain, redness and swelling. Indocin is present from your doctor with a prescription.
Use a lip balm with sunscreen.
Take over-the-counter painkillers, if essential.
Drink plenty of water, because you're possibly dehydrated as well as sunburnt.
Severe burns may require special burn cream and burn dressings.
Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen, can reduce redness and pain.

If you like this page, please post it on:

What's New in our Beauty BLog