Skin Sunburn

A  sunburn is a form of radiation burn that affects the skin, that results from over exposure to the sun ultraviolet radiation. The UV radiation that damages the skin can also damage the eyes. 

Sunburn may damage the skin and may cause skin cancer so we must be aware of UVB as well as UVA . We must take into consideration that the UV rays can bounce off water, sand, snow and other surfaces.

People with certain pigment disorders and with light skin which has been adapted to environments of low UV radiation are most risk of sunburn.

Kinds of symptoms that occurs after a sunburn are hot, red, sore skin, skin that is warm and tender to the touch or rub, dehydration and skin may swell and peel after four to seven days.

There are some severe sunburn symptoms like fever, nausea, chills, dizziness, rapid pulse and rapid breathing.

We can treat a sunburn by applying damp cloths or compresses to reduce the pain, soaking in a tepid bath with no soap where the water is slightly cooler than the body's normal temperature , gently patting the skin dry, applying soothing creams or lotions and moisturizing the skin and some pain relievers like Tylenol or others.

The best way to prevent sunburn is to avoid long exposure to sunlight. Sun protective clothing, uv hats, sunscreen and sunglasses are important measures to limit sun damage. Also drinking a lot of water, juice and other healthy liquids… will help you stay hydrated. Caffeine and alcohol can only speed dehydration. If you are spending a day on the beach, the most safe hours are before 10am and after 4pm, other times it is strongly recommended to take extra precautions to protect your skin.

We always appreciate the warning of sunburn especially after we get sunburn..