People often have a great time outside during warm days . It's possible they spent time in their garden, playing a sport, or just relaxing in the sun. As the sun goes down, they notice their skin is red. It's hot and feels painful to the touch. They have a sunburn. This is caused when a person has had too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. It often occurs from sunlight but can also occur from sunlamps, tanning beds, or other artificial sources. The dark pigment on the outer layers of a person’s skin is called melanin. When a person has had too much UV light exposure, their body will increase its production of melanin. This results in a tan over time. Too much UV light can cause the skin to burn. Being in sunlight during warm months is not the only time a person can get sunburn. It can happen with snow, water, or any type of surface that can reflect UV rays.
Tips for Avoiding Sunburn
It is common for people to enjoy having a tan and not want a sunburn. People are probably amazed at how fast their skin will burn when they are in the sun. This may happen even if they have been responsible and regularly put on sunscreen with a high protection rating. There are ways to avoid experiencing a sunburn and still enjoy your time in the sun.
- Know Your Skin – People who have darker skin usually need to be less concerned about exposure to the sun. Should you have fair skin, you need to be more careful. It may be a good idea to limit your direct exposure to the sun and spend a fair amount of time under shade.
- Avoid Peak Sun Hours – A person can get a good tan if they are in the sun before 10 AM or after 2 PM.
- Sunscreen – Using plenty of sunscreen is important even if a person intends to stay in the shade.
- Don't Rush Things – Time in the sun should be limited during the first sunny days. People should ease into it.
Treating Sunburn
When people have bad sunburns and don't properly treat them, they increase their risk for developing the deadly skin cancer known as melanoma. There are certain things you should do when you have a sunburn.
- Decrease Inflammation – Swelling can be decreased from the inside out. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication can help reduce a sunburn's swelling. It will also help deal with any pain.
- Hydrate Skin – When a person gets a sunburn, they must hydrate their skin. This helps repair the skin barrier. One of the most effective methods is to use a moisturizer with aloe.
- Prevent Additional Damage – After experiencing sunburn, a person’s skin is healing. They must protect their skin from any more sun exposure. SPF-protective clothing should be worn. Individuals should stay in the shade and be certain they are wearing effective sunscreen.
- Blisters – Should someone have a severe sunburn with blisters, they’ve got a second-degree burn. It is important to avoid popping any of the blisters. They are healing the burned skin. Blisters should not be peeled or ruptured.
Consequences of Bad or Repeated Sunburns
Some bad things can happen if someone repeatedly experiences sunburn. It will accelerate their skin's aging process. They will look older than their actual age. A person could also develop precancerous skin lesions. They will be patches on the skin that are scaly and rough. These are the areas that have been damaged by the sun. They have a significant chance of turning into skin cancer. When people experience excessive exposure to the sun, even if they don't have sunburns, they are still at an increased risk to develop skin cancer. People who had regular sunburns as a child and adolescent may have an increased risk of having melanoma later in their life. When someone experiences sunburns, they may also experience eye damage. Too much exposure to UV light could damage a person’s cornea, retina, or lens. Should the sun damage the lens in a person’s eyes, it could result in the development of cataracts. When someone has experienced sunburn in their eyes, they will feel gritty and painful.
It's important to remember that some exposure to the sun is enjoyable. When a person experiences too much sunlight, it can be dangerous. Children are especially vulnerable to being damaged by UV rays. When the right precautions are taken, people can avoid problems with exposure and focus on enjoying their time in the sun.