Sunburn facts and safety

By April 29, 2015Blog

comedic bacon and pig suntanning animation imageSummertime is the perfect season for being outdoors, enjoying the beach, playing sports, lounging by the pool, and vacationing with family. For some, summertime means working to achieve the perfect tan. Whatever your outdoor summertime intentions are, learn the facts about sun safety and how best to protect yourself this summer. If you protect yourself properly, you can avoid that pesky sunburn.

What causes sunburn?

The sun gives off three wavelengths of ultraviolet light: UVA, UVB, and UVC. While UVC does not reach the Earth’s surface, the other two types can penetrate your skin. UVB rays burn the upper layers of the skin, causing sunburns. UVA rays penetrate to the lower layers of the skin where cells called melanocyctes are triggered to produce melanin. The activation of melamnin is what causes your skin to tan.  Melanin is your body’s way of protecting your skin from burning. Some people produce more melanin and typically tan more deeply.

But don’t be fooled, just because a person doesn’t sunburn doesn’t mean they are protected from harmful damage to their skin. UVA rays might give you a nice tan, but they can also cause serious damage. UVA rays can penetrate all the way through the epidermis, (the skin’s outer, protective, layer) into the dermis, where blood vessels and nerves are found. UVA rays can injure cells, impair the immune system, and can also cause melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer.

Signs and symptoms of sunburn

Any exposed skin can burn, including your scalp, lips, and earlobes.  Even covered areas can burn if, for example, your clothing has a loose weave that allows ultraviolet (UV) light through.  Your eyes, which are extremely sensitive to the sun’s UV light, also can burn. Eyes that feel painful and gritty after prolonged sun exposure may be sunburned.

  • Skin redness and blistering
  • Pain and tingling
  • Swelling
  • Headache
  • Fever and chills
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Dehydration
  • Peeling and itching as the skin tries to heal
  • Skin is hot to the touch

 

When to see a doctor

You should seek care immediately if you have a fever with your sunburn. Use a thermometer instead of relying on skin temperature. A fever may indicate heatstroke, so it’s important to see to your safety. Chills and severe pain are other symptoms that you should not ignore.

Sunburn needs care if a large area of your skin is red, or crucial areas of your body are red. This would include your face, eyes, mouth or genitals. Large blisters the size of a nickel or larger need professional care. If the skin looks cooked or has no sensation, you should seek help.

Call a doctor if you notice more serious sunburn signs, including:

  • Fever of 102 degrees or higher
  • Chills
  • Severe pain
  • Sunburn blisters that cover 20 percent of your body
  • Signs of dehydration including dry mouth, thirst, reduced urination, dizziness, and fatigue

Sunburn risk factors 

  • Fair skin
  • Living or vacationing somewhere sunny
  • Working outdoors
  • Drinking alcohol while in the sun
  • Regularly exposure UV light from sunlight or artificial sources such as tanning bed

Negative effects of sunburn

  • Infection from popped blisters
  • Premature aging of your skin – including loss of skin strength and elasticity, deep wrinkles, dry rough skin, fine red veins, freckles, dark or discolored spots (macules) on your face, back, arms, chest and upper back.
  • Precancerous skin spots
  • Skin cancer
  • Eye damage

Be smart, always apply sunscreen before exposure to the sun.  Minimize the time you spend in the sun, especially during peak hours around noon.

 

 Sunburn Relief Tips:

  1. Use cold compresses – Skin that’s sunburned is inflamed. Cool it down by applying cold compresses. Replace compresses every few minutes as they gradually warm.
  1. Apply Aloe Vera – This thick, gel-like juice from the Aloe Vera plant can take the sting and redness out of a sunburn by causing blood vessels to constrict. For maximum relief, apply several times a day.
  2. Drink lots of water – Dehydration often accompanies sunburn. Be sure to replenish lost fluids by drinking a significant amount of water. Staying hydrated promotes faster healing of burns.
  1. Take a cool bath – Cool off and ease the sting of sunburn by taking a dip in a chilly pool/bath or by taking a cold shower. Avoid using soap, as it may irritate or dry out your skin further. If you need wash with soap, choose a mild one and be sure to thoroughly rinse it off.
  1. Moisturize – Since sunburns cause moisture loss in affected skin, apply moisturizer immediately after you shower. For additional relief, chill your moisturizer in the refrigerator before use.
  1. Try a potato pat down – Plain potatoes are a natural pain reliever. Cut up two washed potatoes, place the pieces in a blender and blend until liquefied. Add water if the mixture appears dry. Apply the mixture to clean gauze and place over your sunburn. Replace the dressing with a fresh one every hour.
  1. Take over the counter pain relievers – Non-prescription pain relievers such as ibuprofen can help with the inflammation and pain associated with sunburn. Consult with your primary care provider to decide which specific product is best for you. Individuals with a history of kidney or stomach problems or those taking blood thinning medications should not take ibuprofen or other over the counter anti-inflammatories

With the proper precautions, spending time in the sun is a healthy and fun way to keep active. It’s important to always apply a  sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.  Insect repellent can reduce sunscreen’s SPF by up to one-third, so make sure to use a higher SPF and reapply it more often, if that’s the case for you.

If you do find yourself with severe sunburn that requires medical attention, Coastal Urgent Care may provide you with a prescription strength antibiotic cream that prevents bacteria from penetrating the damaged skin and infecting deeper layers of your skin. At an urgent care facility like MD Now, your doctor can provide you this kind of medication and show you how to apply it on your own during your appointment.

No one suspects a sunburn can take them down during a family vacation. Luckily Coastal Urgent Care  is ready for walk-in patients everyday.  If you have severe sunburn and need medical attention, please contact us at any of our locations.