Sunburn-Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Sunburn is the damage to the skin caused due to the overexposure of sun. It is mainly caused due to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. When you are exposed to sun you will observe that your skin has tanned. This is due to a pigment called melanin, which is produced by the skin when exposed to sun to protect itself against the ultraviolet rays. Sunburns are generally mild and cause less pain as they affect only the outer layer of the skin. The skin becomes red. If the sunburn affects the deeper layers of the skin, skin may become red, painful and swollen up. In most cases even blisters are formed. Such sunburns take time to heal.
The severity of the sunburn depends upon many factors. One of the factors is the time. The chances of getting sunburn are greatest between 10 in the morning and 4 in the evening, as the sunrays are strongest at that time. The geographical location also matters. You can easily get sunburn at higher altitudes, as there is less of the earth’s atmosphere to block the sunrays. Even if you are closer to the equator, chance of getting sunburn is high since direct sunlight passes through the atmosphere.
The amount of exposure to the sun is another factor. More you expose yourself to sun; more is the chance of developing sunburn. The type of the skin you have and the age also matters. People with light or freckled skin, blue eyes and red hair are at a greater risk of getting sunburn. The children younger than 6 and adults older than 60 have a more sensitive skin that can get sunburn easily.
What are the Symptoms of Sunburn?
After the exposure to the sun initially your skin turns red and after 2 or 4 hours it feels irritated. Some of the symptoms related to Sunburn are as follows:
- Peeling of the skin some days after the sunburn
- Peeled skin becomes dry and itchy
- Formation of blisters several hours or days after sunburn
- Swelling of the skin
- Flu-like symptoms may develop
- Weakness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Chills
- Fever
- Dizziness or headaches
Does Sunburn cause Acne?
There are many different beliefs regarding the sunburn and acne. Some say that sunburn causes acne while others say that sunburn helps in curing acne. There are many acne medicines, which can make you susceptible to sunburns. Sunburn causes redness or tanning of the skin that makes the lesions less visible. That is why people think that sunburns helps in curing acne. But remember that these benefits are temporary and overexposure to the sun may increase the risk of skin cancer and rapid aging of the skin.
Prevention and Treatment of Sunburn
As the saying goes “Prevention is better than cure”, the best way to prevent the sunburn is to avoid overexposure to the sun. Application of some sunscreens while going out in the sun also helps in prevention of sunburn. Use of hats and sunglasses with UV protection is also helpful. Wear loose fitting but tightly woven cotton clothes that covers your arms and legs. Here are some treatments of sunburn.
- Use of NSAIDS like ibuprofen or aspirin helps to relieve pain caused by sunburn
- Cool bath alleviates the pain and heat caused by sunburn
- Application of cold Aloe Vera gel or sandalwood paste helps in quick healing of the sunburn
- Application of regular yellow mustard to the burn prevents the sunburn from blistering. Apply it and wash it off after drying.
- Mix one part of olive oil to one part of vinegar and apply it to affected areas. Rinse it off with water after an hour
- Application of Vitamin E cream helps in reducing the itching caused by sunburn