Sunburn: What causes it? Treatments. Prevention tips.
Sunburn can be caused by skin damage from overexposure to UV radiation, such as the sun and tanning beds. Sunburns can be mild or severe, and may cause redness and swelling. The healing process can take several hours or several days depending on how severe the sunburn is. Sunburns occur more often in the summer, when people spend more time outdoors.
It all boils down to:
Too much UV radiation, such as from sunlamps or tanning beds, can cause sunburn. Sunburn is caused by UV radiation damaging the DNA of skin cells. This causes inflammation, redness and pain, as well as swelling. Sunburn effects can be unpredictable and last from two to seven days. Sunburn may lead to premature aging and wrinkles as well as an increase in the risk of developing skin cancer.
Summer months are when sunburns are more common because people spend more time outside. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that up to 90% Americans will experience some sunburn every year. Those with fair skin and 18 to 29 years old are most susceptible.
Sunburn: Common causes
Too much UV radiation can cause sunburn. Sunburn can be increased by the following:
- Expending too much time directly in the sun
- Insufficient sunscreen and protective clothing
- During peak hour (10am-4pm), you can be out in the sunshine
- Fair skin and light hair
- High altitude living or near the Equator
Sunburn Treatments
The severity of sunburn will determine the treatment. For mild cases, you may be able to use home remedies like cold compresses and moisturizers. For more severe cases of sunburn, professional medical attention may be required. Sunburn treatment options include the following:
- Use cold compresses to reduce pain and swelling
- Moisturizers
- Take Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen to reduce swelling and pain.
- Topical prescriptions: Your doctor might prescribe topical Medications to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Oral medication: A doctor might prescribe oral medications to reduce swelling and pain for more severe injuries.
- Phototherapy: A doctor might recommend phototherapy for severe burns. This uses artificial ultraviolet light to reduce inflammation.
Sunburn Experts and Professionals' Opinions
Experts believe that sunburn prevention is best achieved by avoiding overexposure to ultraviolet radiation. Sun-protective clothing should be worn and sun-protective sunscreen must have a minimum of 30 SPF. Experts recommend that you avoid tanning beds as they produce more UV radiation than sunlight.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that sunscreens be used 15-30 minutes prior to going out and that they should be reapplied after two hours, or when you have been swimming or sweating. The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends children wear sunscreen that is specifically designed for children.
Sunburn Tips and Natural Remedies
There are natural ways to soothe sunburns and decrease swelling. They include:
- Aloe Vera: Aloe verde has been proven to reduce inflammation and accelerate the healing process.
- Take a cooling bath: A cool bath may reduce swelling and relieve the pain.
- Vitamin E oil: Apply vitamin E oil on the area to reduce swelling and speed up healing.
- Honey: Apply honey to your skin around the area that is affected. This will help reduce the swelling and soothe it.
- Cucumbers can be used to reduce pain and swelling by applying cucumber slices.
- Tea bags: Applying tea bags to the area affected can relieve the pain.
These natural remedies might not work for all people. Some may cause more irritation. To ensure that natural remedies are effective and safe, it is best to consult a physician before you try them.
Conclusion
Sunburn can be caused by skin damage from overexposure to UV radiation, such as the sun and tanning beds. Sunburn may be mild or severe, and can cause redness and swelling. Sunburn prevention is as simple as limiting exposure to ultraviolet radiation, using sun-protective clothing and applying broad-spectrum sunscreens with at least 30 SPF. There are many treatments for sunburns. These include cold compresses and over-the-counter pain relief. If the sunburn persists for more than a couple of days, it is important that you seek medical attention.
Sunburn, which is caused by excessive UV radiation exposure, can be a very common problem. Sunburn prevention is key to protecting your skin. However, if sunburn does occur, you have a variety of options to treat it. You can prevent sunburns and their long-lasting effects by following these tips.