A sunburn is a form of radiation burn that affects the skin’s outermost layers such as melanin, resulting from excessive exposure to ultraviolet(UV) radiation from the sun. Melanin is a pigment that gives your skin its color and defends it against the sun’s rays. Melanin works by darkening your unprotected sun-exposed skin, the amount of melanin you produce is determined by genetics, which is why some people get sunburned while it’s rare for others. Sunburn is an inflammatory response in the tissue triggered by direct DNA. Sunburn hurts and the danger goes far beyond pain, redness, and discomfort because, after the sunburn fades, lasting damage remains. Excessive sunburns cause premature aging of the skin and may also lead to skin cancer.
You’re most likely to get sunburned in the middle of the day, i.e, between 10 AM and 3 PM because that’s when UV rays are stronger.
Meanwhile, Pre sunburn, your skin will start to flake and peel after a few days and this will usually heal within some days. That occurs when the body is trying to rid itself of damaged cells. Never try to peel your skin yourself, it should come/peel off naturally.
Most of the wrinkles, age spots, and pigmentation problems that occur during old age are due to sun exposure at an earlier age.
SIGNS ET SYMPTOMS OF SUNBURN
The signs and symptoms of sunburn vary between people. Sunburn can affect anyone, but those with lighter skin are more prone to sunburn.
Some of the signs and symptoms of sunburn include the following:
- Changes in skin tone, such as pinkness or redness
- Painful and tenderness
- Swelling
- Skin that feels warm or hot to touch
- Eyes that feel painful or gritty.
- Dry, itching, and peeling skin days after the burn.
- Blistering or swelling of the skin.
- Headache, fever, fatigue, and nausea.
Furthermore, Any exposed part of your body including your ear lobes, lips, and scalp can burn, e.g, if your clothing has a loose weave that allows ultraviolet (UV) light through.
RISKS FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH SUNBURN
- Regularly exposing unprotected skin to ultraviolet light from sunlight or artificial sources such as tanning beds.
- Living or vacationing somewhere sunny or at a high altitude.
- Having light skin or red and blond hair.
- Ozone depletion: Certain areas of the world have been decreased in the ozone layer, as this occurs it increases the penetration of the sun's ultraviolet rays.
5. Tanning: this is a method of spending increased amounts of time in the sun, to acquire darker skin. This increases the risk of skin cancers and accelerated skin aging. Rapid tanning may cause sunburn.
6. Someone who has a family history of skin cancer.
7. The UV index of the day, which shows the risk of getting a sunburn that day.
8. How close you are to the equator( latitude). The closer you are to the latitude, the more direct sunlight passes through the atmosphere.
HOW TO NOT GET SUNBURNED
- Wear clothing that covers the body, preferably, clothes made with tightly woven fabrics.
- Protect your eyes with sunglasses.
- Avoid going out in the middle ( between 10 AM & 3 PM ) or the hottest part of the day.
- Extra protection for the face, neck, and any parts of your body not usually exposed to the sun.
- Sitting in a location with shade.
- Wear a cap or hat while exposed to the sun.
THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME OF THE TIPS THAT CAN HELP RELIEVE THE DISCOMFORT CAUSED BY SUNBURN
- Take frequent baths or showers to help relieve the pain. As soon as you get out of the shower, gently pat yourself dry, but leave a little water on your skin. Then, apply moisturizer to help trap water in your skin. This process can help ease the dryness.
- Apply a cream or gel: The application of creams or gel helps to take the sting out of your sunburn.
- Stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water and other fluids.
- Avoid exposure to the sun between 10 AM and 3 PM. The sun’s rays are strongest during these hours, so try to schedule outdoor activities for other times. If you can’t do that, limit the time you spend in the sun.
- Speak to a pharmacist about products that help soothe sunburn; choose spray-on explanations rather than creams that require rubbing in by hand.
- If your skin blisters, allow the blisters to heal. Blistering skin means you have a second-degree sunburn. You should not pop the blisters, as blisters form to help your skin heal and protect you from infection.
7 . Take extra care to protect your sunburned skin while it heals by wearing clothing that covers your skin when outdoor, Tightly woven fabrics work best. When you hold the fabric up to bright light, you should not see any light coming through.
8. Wear sunglasses when outdoors. Choose sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection, check the UV rating on the label when purchasing new glasses. Darker lenses are not necessarily better at blocking UV rays and also, put on sunglasses that fit close to your face or have wraparound frames.
9. Be aware of sun-sensitizing medications. Some common prescription and over-the-counter drugs can make skin more sensitive to sunlight. Talk with your doctor about the side effects of medications you take.
As ironic as it may sound, You can be sunburned on a cloudy or sunny day. Try to avoid sunlight from every route such as windows, by covering up the infected areas of skin until your skin is well healed.
In conclusion, Sunburn results from skin receiving too much exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, this exposure may lead to skin cancer, premature aging of the skin, and other skin problems.
