Sunburn is the term for red, sometimes swollen and painful skin. Sunburn can vary from mild to severe. The extent depends on your skin type and the amount of exposure to the sun. Sunburn is a serious risk factor for skin cancer and sun damage.
Sunburn is caused by overexposure to UV rays from the sun.
The symptoms of sunburn vary from person to person. You may not notice redness of the skin for several hours after the burn has begun. Peak redness will take 12-24 hours.
A mild sunburn does not often require a visit to the doctor.
See your doctor if you have a severe burn or if your burn symptoms are not improving after a few days.
You will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. You may be referred to a dermatologist for treatment if the sunburn is very severe.
Treatment depends on the severity of the sunburn. The first and most important step in treatment involves getting out of the sun at the first sign of redness or tingling. Stay out of the sun until the skin is fully healed. This may take several weeks.
Apply a cool compress to soothe raw, hot skin.
Take over-the-counter pain reliever if advised by your doctor.
Use prescription or over-the-counter topical medications such as silver-based agents or aloe vera if advised by your doctor.
Take oral or topical corticosteroids if advised by your doctor. These may shorten the course of pain and inflammation. Topical steroids may not relieve skin redness.
Take prescription antibiotics if an infection develops.
Be extra careful to protect skin after it peels. The skin is very sensitive after peeling.
To prevent sunburn, you must shield your skin from the sun's rays.
Plan outdoor activities early or late in the day to avoid peak sunlight hours between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.
Choose a broad spectrum sunscreen or sunblock with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. It should filter out both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.
Apply sunscreen liberally, thoroughly, and frequently to all exposed skin. Do not forget your lips, ears, or feet.
Wear protective, tightly woven clothing or special sunblock clothes, as well as a broad-rimmed hat and sunglasses.
Keep in mind that water is not a good filter. You can become sunburned while swimming or snorkeling. You can also become sunburned during the winter, and on cloudy or foggy days.
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