How to Treat Sunburn and Reduce Sun Damage

Treating sunburn and reducing skin damage

Understanding what sunburn is and how it can happen, will enable you to have effective treatment of sunburn. It will also show you how to reduce skin damage from the sun.

What is sunburn?

When your skin (that of others or animals) is over-exposed to the ultra violet rays from the sun, the skin tissue may be burned by UV radiation. Normally, short periods of exposure to the sun are not harmful to your skin. In fact, a moderate amount of sunshine helps to produce melanin, which acts as the skin's natural defense or as a photo-protectant. It results in a healthy looking sun tan, which is aesthetically pleasing.

When you are sunburned during prolonged exposure to the sun, you may begin to experience mild symptoms of discomfort, which include red or reddish looking skin that begins to feel hot to touch. This can happen within the first fifteen minutes of exposure, depending upon the intensity of the sun's UV rays. Try to avoid sun exposure between the hours of ten am and four pm, as the UV rays are the most intense during those times. That is the time when you are the most likely to experience a severe sunburn. Note that you may not be aware of the sunburn until some time later, when the redness of your skin will make it increasingly obvious.

If you start to experience fatigue and dizziness, stay out of the sun. Prolonged exposure to the sun can turn into a life-threatening situation.

Other symptoms of sunburn may include headache and nausea. Your skin may begin to feel tender to touch or become painful. Blisters may start to form and a skin rash may appear. You may become feverish and experience edema. Your skin will probably feel dry, itchy and start to peel within a few days. Note that sunburn can result in first or second degree burns, but the degree of damage does not always correspond to the amount of redness. Thus, when you are sunburned, it may not necessarily show up as reddish skin, immediately.

There are two kinds of cancer that are the result of sunburn, namely basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

Importantly, sunburn and the increase in melanin production are triggered by direct DNA damage. When the skin cells' DNA is damaged by UV radiation, type I cell-death is triggered and the skin is replaced. (1)

The skin attempts to protect, as well as repair itself naturally, when damaged by UV rays from the sun. The skin may take several days or weeks to return to its normal state, but this depends upon the degree of skin damage that has been sustained. If there is a severe sunburn, it could take longer.

Malignant melanoma may occur as a result of indirect DNA damage, if the damage is not properly repaired. Proper repair occurs in the majority of DNA damage and as a result not every exposure to UV results in cancer. (2)

What is a malignant melanoma?

A cancerous skin condition or a melanoma lesion may suddenly appear on the skin after prolonged exposure to the sun. A melanoma is asymmetrical in appearance and darker around the edges than it is at the center. It may also change color. If you find that you have a suspicious looking lesion that is larger than one quarter of an inch in size, it is advisable to consult a physician, who may refer you to a dermatologist.

What treatments are effective for the treatment of sunburn?

Lidocaine and benzocaine are anaesthetic pain relievers that can be applied topically, as ointments or sprays. Applying Aloe Vera or Vitamin E cream to the sunburned area, may help to relieve itchiness and dryness. Hydrocortisone cream or ointment may reduce the amount of inflammation.

Applying a towel soaked in cool water may help to reduce the itchiness and swelling. Water, to which a small amount of white vinegar has been added, may help to reduce itchiness and swelling.

Note that ointment or lotion should never be applied directly to any open burns. Butter should not be applied to the skin either.

Medication for headache or fever may include analgesics, like acetaminophen. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as salicylates, may be prescribed for pain and inflammation. Ibuprofen and naproxen may be effective in treating sunburn. Note that ASA is not recommended for children, as it may cause Reyes disease.

There is no known cure for sunburn. If you are recovering from sunburn and have to be in the sun for some reason, limit the length of time you are exposed to short periods only and avoid direct or prolonged sun exposure, as much as possible. Keep your previous sunburned skin covered.

Remember this old saying? ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.’

To prevent serious sunburn in the future, take the following measures. When you are aware that you will be exposed to the sun for long periods of time, wear light-weight cotton clothing, particularly during the hours when the UV rays are at their highest. Avoid wearing polyester clothing, as it may block the circulation of oxygen. Your clothing should include long sleeve shirts and long pants. Wear light-weight summer shoes and light cotton socks instead of sandals, to protect your feet from being sunburned. A wide brim, cotton hat will be cooler and help to protect your face, nose and ears. Sunglasses will prevent eye damage from UV rays.

If you are sitting outdoors for extended periods of time, stay in the shade. Relax beneath a tree or under a picnic umbrella placed over your lawn chair or picnic table.

Do online inquiries and learn about the UV index. Note that UV levels become higher, as one moves closer to tropical areas.

Wear sunscreen and sun blocks with a high sun protection factor (SPF) and re-apply them to your skin, approximately every two to three hours when you are in the sun, as this will help to block skin damage from UV light. If you are going to be in the water, make certain that you are using a waterproof sunscreen or sun block.

Several foods and fruit that appear to offer some degree of protection from sunburn include those with high levels of beta-carotene (carrots) and lycopene (tomatoes). Eating dark chocolate several hours prior to exposure, is recommended.

Note that sunburn can result from other UV light sources, like welding. Welding helmets and protective clothing should always be worn to protect the skin. Protective glasses and shields should be used by welders.

Skin damage from UV rays, can occur with sun lamps or sun beds, particularly when there is prolonged exposure. Exposure to ultraviolet germicidal irradiation may cause sunburn.

Enjoy the sun, but take the necessary precautions. Note that this information on how to treat sunburn and reduce skin damage, has been been obtained from the following web site.

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunburn

(2) Ibid.