Sunburn - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Sunburn results from too much sun or sun-equivalent exposure. Sunburn is an acute cutaneous inflammatory reaction that follows excessive exposure of the skin to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). A similar burn can be produced by overexposure to other sources of UV such as from tanning lamps, or occupationally, such as from welding arcs. While the symptoms are usually temporary (such as red skin that is painful to the touch), the skin damage is often permanent and can have serious long-term health effects, including skin cancer. The most common is acute sunburn or solar erythema. Solar erythema is associated with microscopic changes in the skin, detectable within 30 minutes of exposure to UVR. There are two types of ultraviolet rays, UVA and UVB. Most UVB rays are absorbed by sunscreens , but only about half the UVA rays are absorbed. Skin Cancer occurs mainly in people with fair skin, light eyes, and those who tend to freckle or burn easily during and after exposure to the sunlight.

Anyone who visits a beach, goes fishing, works in the yard, or simply is out in the sun can get sunburn. In a mild case of overexposure to the sun, there are redness, itching, and mild pain. No treatment may be needed. You can, however, obtain some relief by applying cold cream, mineral oil, or talcum powder. Severe or extensive sunburn with much blistering needs prompt medical attention both for pain relief and to prevent bacterial infection.

Sunburn is a visible reaction of the skin's exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the invisible rays that are part of sunlight. Sunlight can help our mental outlook and help us feel healthier. For people with arthritis, the sun's warmth can help relieve some of their physical pain. Children often spend a good part of their day playing outdoors in the sun, especially during the summer.UV rays are strongest during summer months when the sun is directly overhead (normally between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.). Sunburn protection preparations vary in effectiveness. Most contain oils to reduce skin tightness. Some contain effective screening agents such as PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid). Check labels before buying. Apply an effectivepreparation 30 to 60 minutes before you're exposed to the sun so the protective agents have a chance to bind to the skin (a process that takes about 30 minutes). Otherwise, perspiration will wash them away.

Skin that is red and painful and that swells up and blisters may mean deep skin layers and nerve endings have been damaged. Skin cancer from sun overexposure is a serious health problem in the United States, affecting almost one million Americans each year. . While the symptoms are usually temporary (such as red skin that is painful to the touch), the skin damage is often permanent and can have serious long-term health effects, including skin cancer. If the skin is blistered or extensively burned, you can apply a cold compress of water, whole milk, or saline solution (one teaspoon of salt to a pint of cool water).

Causes of Sunburn

The most comman causes of Sunburn include the following :

• Sunburn is caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation.
• Solar UVR of wavelengths shorter than 290 nm is filtered out or absorbed in the outer atmosphere and is not encountered at sea level.
• Travel to the southern United States, regions close to the equator, and places at high altitudes all offer the unwary visitor an opportunity to be injured by sunburn.
• The minimal single dose of UVR (energy per unit area) required to produce erythema at an exposed site is known as the minimal erythema dose (MED). Moderate-to-severe sunburn occurs at 3-8 MEDs.
• UVA and UVB refer to different wavelengths in the light spectrum.

Symptoms of Sunburn

Some sign and symptoms related to sunburn are as follows :

• Initially, your skin turns red about 2-6 hours after exposure and feels irritated.
• Flulike symptoms
• Blistering - May range from a very fine blister that is only found when you begin to "peel" to very large water-filled blisters with red, tender, raw skin underneath
• Skin peeling on sunburned areas several days after the sunburn.
• Blisters that develop hours to days later.
• Medications the person has been taking.
• The time, length, location, and altitude of exposure.
• chills
• weakness
• blisters

Treatment of Sunburn

Treatment of Sunburn are as follows :

• Minor sunburn can be effectively treated by a wide variety of nonprescription ointments, oils, powders, creams, and sprays that restore fluids and prevent further drying, relieve discomfort, and promote healing.
• Cover exposed skin
• Get out of the tanning bed
• Avoid lotions that contain topical anesthetic medications because you can become sensitized and then allergic to that medicine.
• Apply soothing lotions that contain aloe vera to sunburned areas.
• Use cool cloths on sunburned areas.
• Stronger pain-relieving medication may be prescribed in certain cases.
• Take a pain reliever such as aspirin (children and teenagers should never be given aspirin because of the danger of Reye syndrome), acetaminophen, or ibuprofen.