Sunburn: Causes, Care, Cures and Cautions

Health Guides
Sunburn: Causes, Care, Cures and Cautions
Skin Care

Days are getting hotter and mercury is rising. While some would be heading for shade whenever possible, others may head for the sun to get a tan. If you are the later type, stop. Don’t expose yourself to the danger of UV rays.

Sun exposure can cause first and second degree burns. Most sunburns are first-degree burns that turns the skin pink or red. Prolonged sun exposure can cause blistering and other complications or second-degree burns. Fortunately, sunburns never causes third-degree burns.

Overexposure to otherwise beneficial sun rays can cause skin inflammation leading to sunburn. Skin damage caused by sunburn is often permanent and can have serious long-term effects like skin cancer, premature aging and wrinkles.

Sunburn is nothing but burning of the skin. When exposed to harsh sunlight for a longer period, blood flow to the skin increases and the skin turns red and warm. This symptom goes off after some time, to appear again 2 to 6 hours later with pain. It becomes more painful 12 to 24 hours after sun exposure; the soreness lasts for about 3 days. In 4 to 7 days the outer layers of skin peels off and the redness fades.

Causes

Sunburn is mostly caused when care is not taken to protect the skin while going out in the sun. Sun bathing for a tan, swimming in the sun, falling asleep on the beach etc are some of the major reasons that cause sunburn.

As per the 1996 Canadian national survey 50% of the Canadians had suffered at least one sunburn in their lifetime. It also found that males experienced more sunburn compared to women. In spite of the many risks associated with the exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, many Canadians still prefer to have tanned look even when there is nothing called a “healthy tan”.

People with fair skin, blue or green eyes are more prone to sunburn because their skin produces only small amounts of the protective pigment called melanin. Persons with darker skin suffer less sunburn because naturally dark skin has more melanin-producing cells.

Preventive care

While everyone should follow the following guidelines, people with lighter skin should be more cautious while going out in the sun.

Avoid being in the sun in the afternoon hours between 11 AM to 2 PM.

While going out in the sun apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 to 30. (SPF represents the length of time that sunscreen-protected skin can be exposed to UVB rays before getting sunburn.). While applying sunscreen pay special attention to the exposed skin like face, nose, ears, neck, shoulders and arms.

Be extra careful during summer holidays, mid day, at the beach or while skiing.

Check Environment Canada’s UV Index forecast. Light cloud, or breeze, can make you feel cooler - but UV radiation remains same.

Skiing and other outdoor activities can increase exposure to UV so take adequate precautions.

Apply sunscreen 30 minutes prior to sun exposure to allow penetration.

Apply waterproof sunscreen before and after swimming.

During outdoor activities, use an umbrella whenever possible.

Use sunglasses with UV protection.

Wear protective clothing and a large-brimmed hat.

Take vitamins C and E orally, it can reduce sunburn reaction.

If you want to get a tan, use any of the self-tanning products that are available in market, using these products can give you a tan without the damaging effects of UV rays.



Cures and cautions

Like any other burns, sunburn takes time to heal. In case of mild sunburn try out any of the following remedies at home:

Take a cool bath.

Place cloth dipped in ice water on the burn for 10 to 15 minutes, repeat several times. Applying baking soda mixed in water helps relieve the sunburn pain.

Aloe gel is a common household remedy for sunburns. Aloe contains active compounds that help stop pain and inflammation of the skin.

Refrigerate tea and dab it on the burned area. The titanic acid in the tea will help turn the sunburn to a tan.

For light sunburn dab vinegar with a cotton pad on the sunburned area.

Open Vitamin E capsules and apply the liquid vitamin E on the sunburn. It will help in faster healing and also reduce the burning sensation.

Take plenty of water to prevent dehydration.

Do not break the blisters because intact blisters protect the skin and allow faster healing. Keep the broken blisters clean and apply antibiotic ointment 2 to 3 times daily.

Take Aspirin to ease pain and inflammation.

In case of severe sunburn (second degree) where the patient feels woozy, acts confused or feels very week and sick, has large blisters, eye pain etc. medical attention is required immediately.