What are sunburns?
Sunburns (or solar erythema) are burns caused by exposure to the sun and ultraviolet (UV) rays. In other words, it is an inflammatory response of the skin caused by exposure to radiation.
What types of ultraviolet rays are there?
Ultraviolet radiation can be divided into three bands, with UVA and UVB rays being the most important for our health and UVC rays being the least relevant.
- Too many UVA rays can be harmful, leading to premature aging of the skin, for example causing wrinkles and blemishes
- UVB rays, useful for stimulating the production of vitamin D, but when in excess, are responsible for sunburn (sunburn), and can cause skin cancer
What are the signs of sunburn?
Sunburn of the skin may not be immediately evident, but after a few hours, it is accompanied by:
- redness: Onset 3 to 5 hours after exposure, worsening over the next 12-24 hours. It usually disappears in 5-6 days
- Sensation of warmth: the skin feels warm to the touch and seems to throb
- Local pain: increased sensitivity to pressure and temperature
- itching, blistering and swelling: in the most severe cases
Sunburns can also cause fever and leave scars on the skin.
How serious are sunburns?
The severity varies depending on:
- Skin type and phototype
- individual sensitivity to UV rays
- Genetic factors
- duration and frequency of exposure
- Solar Radiation Intensity
Are there different types of sunburns?
Yes. Sunburn can be classified into three grades, depending on the severity of the injuries:
- First-degree burns: This is a simple erythema, in which the skin becomes red, dry and painful. It takes, on average, a week to heal completely and does not leave a scar on the skin. You should moisturize it regularly
- Superficial second-degree burns: These are characterized by the appearance of red blisters filled with a clear liquid, immediately after the burn, or after a few hours. The skin becomes ultra-sensitive to the touch, it takes 2 to 3 weeks to heal
- Deep second-degree burns: the skin has blisters, usually perforated, and under these blisters, the dermis is discolored and the pain is moderate because the skin is as if it is "anesthetized". This type of burn requires medical attention. It usually takes 2 to 3 weeks to heal
What are the parts of the body most vulnerable to sunburn?
You can get sunburns anywhere on your body. However, areas that are most exposed to radiation are more likely to get sunburnt and therefore need special care.
We're talking about the tip of the nose, the lips, the eye area, the forehead, and the cheeks. Also the upper chest, neck, instep, shoulders, ears, and scalp are areas that burn quickly.
Is sunburn and heat stroke the same thing?
Nope. A sunburn associated with dizziness, headaches, fever, chills, and feeling sick can mean you have heat stroke. In this case, seek advice from a doctor or pharmacist, or call SNS 24 – 808242424.
If I have tanned skin, am I protected from sunburn?
Nope. Although people with a darker skin tone are more resistant to the impacts of ultraviolet rays, it is important to continue to protect your skin with a sun cream with a high protection factor.
Does getting sunburnt prepare your skin for the sun?
Nope. Sunburns should never be considered a preparation for the so-called "bronze". Exposure to the sun should be done gradually, always with the use of sunscreen and at the recommended times (never between 12 pm and 4 pm).
What are the consequences of repeated sunburns on the skin?
Our skin has a memory, so all the sun aggressions to which it is subjected have a cumulative effect, increasing the appearance of various problems in the long term, including skin cancer.
The main negative consequences of repeated sunburns are:
- Skin aging: Excessive exposure to the sun is a factor in accelerated skin aging, causing a loss of elasticity and hydration capacity, which translates into wrinkles
vision problems, such as cataracts - appearance of spots on the skin, such as melasma
- Skin cancer: Too frequent exposure to ultraviolet rays can lead to an irreversible change in the genetic makeup of skin cells, which multiply at high speed causing a tumour. There are several types of skin cancer caused mainly by the sun, the most serious being melanoma
What should I do to prevent sunburn?
It is possible to enjoy the sun, in a safe way and without putting your health at risk. To do this, respect the following rules:
- wear cool long-sleeved clothing, hat, preferably brimmed, or cap, sunglasses with UV filter
- Avoid direct sun exposure between 12 and 4 p.m. Children and lighter-skinned people
- should consider exposure only until 11 a.m. and after 5 p.m
- Apply sunscreen of factor 30 or even higher: 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure and repeat the application every 2 hours, even with cloudy skies. Don't forget to protect your lips, ears, and back of your hands, which are often the site of premalignant and malignant lesions
- Be careful when taking some medications that can increase sensitivity to the sun and trigger a burn-like reaction or allergy on skin exposed to the sun
- Be careful not to fall asleep in the sun
- Do not expose yourself to the sun for many hours at a time. Move around and water often
What should I do if I have a sunburn?
The most severe cases of sunburn, especially when blisters form, need medical attention. In the case of mild sunburns, they can be treated at home, with the adoption of some measures that help relieve the symptoms:
- Cool down the sunburned skin: you can choose between a shower or cold water bath (short) or apply cold compresses
- Apply an after-sun lotion or gel to relieve discomfort
- Drink water to maintain a good state of hydration
- Monitor body temperature
- Don't expose yourself to the sun (no matter the severity of the sunburn) and stay in the shade
What should I not do when sunburned?
As opposed to what you should do, there are some measures that are prohibited.
You must not:
- apply alcohol or products that contain it in their composition
- Apply products that increase the temperature of burned skin areas
- stir any blisters that may have formed, so as not to increase the risk of infection
- Putting ice water or ice on it, as it can burn the skin even more
- rubbing the skin when cleaning or drying
- Apply butter, oil, egg whites, or toothpaste to the lesion. These old remedies are totally contraindicated
- Put cotton wool or other materials that can adhere to the burnt skin
- Wear clothing that is tight or rubs against the affected area
Source: National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM)