Sunburn is a form of skin damage caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. A sunburn can develop after as little as 15 minutes in direct sunlight, depending on the time of year, time of day, and skin tone. Repeated overexposure and sunburning can lead to permanent skin damage and skin cancer.
All skin tones are susceptible to burning. The highest risk people for sunburn are those with blonde hair, blue eyes, fair and freckled skin. Darker skin tones have a lower risk of sunburn, but the risk is not zero. Black and Brown skin people are diagnosed with skin cancers, too.
A sunburn is characterized by red, painful skin that can be accompanied by swelling, itching, and blisters. The skin also feels warm for up to 24 hours following a sunburn.
Sunburns can range from mild to severe and can take up to several days to heal, depending on the depth of the burn. Sunburns damage the DNA of the skin, resulting in peeling and blisters. This damaged skin is no longer normal and sheds.
In extreme cases, sunburns can even cause permanent damage to the skin. Sunburns may result in skin discoloration such as:
–hypo or hyperpigmented patches
–red, ruddy and thickened skin (poikeloderma) on the chest and neck
–solar lentigos / sun spots commonly seen on the face, chest, and hands
To prevent sunburn, it is important to wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and to reapply accordingly. Mineral based SPFs are preferred. Mineral based SPF contain zinc and/or titanium which are minerals that provider a layer of physical protection on the skin. Chemical sunscreens offer good protection as well, but are less reliable in water and over longer periods of time spent in the sun. It is highly recommended that children, or adults with high risk for skin cancer, use a mineral based SPF.
Wearing protective clothing such as a hat, sunglasses, rash guard or long-sleeved shirt can help protect your skin from UV damage. Protective clothing is preferable to SPF as it offers all day protection without reapplication. Additionally, avoid direct sunlight during peak hours of the day by seeking shade from a tree or an umbrella or tent.
It is important to stay hydrated and limit alcohol consumption when spending time in the sun. Taking these precautions can help you avoid the discomfort of sunburn and reduce your risk of developing skin cancer in the future.
Fortunately, there are a number of treatments available to help reduce the symptoms of sunburn and prevent further damage to your skin. These treatments include over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
Extra hydration is also recommended. Moderate to severe sunburns require fluid to heal, therefore the fluid needs of the body are increased after a sunburn.
Home remedies such as cool baths and ice packs can cool the skin and relieve minor pain. Blistering sunburns may require medical intervention if the skin becomes infected. Seek medical care if symptoms worsen instead of improving.
Kuungua kwa jua ni aina ya uharibifu wa ngozi unaosababishwa na kuathiriwa sana na miale ya ultraviolet (UV) kutoka kwa jua. Kuungua kwa jua kunaweza kutokea baada ya dakika 15 tu ya kuangaliwa na jua, ikitegemea wakati wa mwaka, wakati wa siku, na rangi ya ngozi. Kuathiriwa sana na jua mara kwa mara na kuchomwa na jua kunaweza kusababisha uharibifu wa kudumu wa ngozi na kansa ya ngozi. Rangi zote za ngozi zinaweza kuungua. Watu walio hatarini zaidi kwa kuchomwa na jua ni wale walio na nywele za rangi ya manjano, macho ya bluu, ngozi nyeupe na yenye madoa. Watu wenye ngozi nyeusi huwa na hatari ndogo ya kuungua kwa jua, lakini hatari hiyo si sifuri. Watu wenye ngozi nyeusi na kahawia pia hugunduliwa kuwa na kansa ya ngozi. Kuungua kwa jua huonyeshwa na ngozi nyekundu, yenye maumivu ambayo yaweza kuambatana na uvimbe, kukwaruza, na vidonda. Ngozi inaweza kuwaka kwa muda wa saa 24 baada ya kuchomwa na jua. Kuungua kwa jua kunaweza kuwa kali au kali na kunaweza kuchukua siku kadhaa kutibu, ikitegemea kina cha kuchomwa. Kuungua kwa jua huharibu DNA ya ngozi, na kusababisha ngozi kupasuka na kupasuka. Ngozi hiyo iliyoharibiwa haifanyi kazi kwa kawaida tena na huanguka. Katika visa vikali, kuchomwa na jua kwaweza hata kusababisha madhara ya kudumu kwa ngozi. Kuungua kwa jua kunaweza kusababisha mabadiliko ya rangi ya ngozi kama vile: <unk> patches hypo au hyperpigmented <unk> nyekundu, nyekundu na ngozi thickened (poikeloderma) juu ya kifua na shingo <unk> solar lentigos sunspots kawaida kuonekana juu ya uso, kifua, na mikono <unk> Ili kuzuia sunburn, ni muhimu kuvaa sunscreen na SPF ya 30 au zaidi na kuomba upya ipasavyo. SPF ya msingi wa madini ni bora. SPF ya msingi wa madini ina zinki na titani, ambayo hutoa safu ya ulinzi wa mwili kwenye ngozi. Vipuli vya kemikali vya kuhifadhi jua pia hutoa ulinzi mzuri, lakini havina uhakika sana katika maji na kwa muda mrefu zaidi katika jua. Kwa hivyo, ni muhimu kwa watoto na watu wazima wenye hatari ya saratani ya ngozi kutumia SPF ya msingi wa madini. Mavazi ya kinga kama vile kofia, miwani ya jua, kinga ya mlipuko au shati la mikono mirefu inaweza kusaidia kulinda ngozi yako kutoka kwa uharibifu wa UV. Mavazi ya kinga ni bora kuliko SPF kwani hutoa kinga ya siku nzima bila kutumia tena. Pia, epuka jua moja kwa moja wakati wa saa za kilele cha mchana kwa kutafuta kivuli kutoka kwenye mti au mwavuli au hema. Ni muhimu kukaa na maji na kupunguza matumizi ya kileo unapotumia wakati wa jua. Kuchukua tahadhari hizi kunaweza kukusaidia kuepuka usumbufu wa kuchomwa na jua na kupunguza hatari ya kupatwa na kansa ya ngozi wakati ujao. Kwa bahati nzuri, kuna matibabu kadhaa yanayopatikana ili kusaidia kupunguza dalili za kuchomwa na jua na kuzuia uharibifu zaidi wa ngozi yako. Matibabu hayo yanatia ndani dawa zisizopatikana kwa dawa kama vile acetaminophen na ibuprofen. Pia inashauriwa kula maji mengi. Kuungua kwa jua kwa kiwango cha wastani hadi kikubwa kunahitaji maji ili kupona, kwa hiyo mahitaji ya maji ya mwili huongezeka baada ya kuungua kwa jua. Matibabu ya nyumbani kama vile kuoga kwa maji baridi na kuweka barafu kwenye ngozi yanaweza kupoza ngozi na kupunguza maumivu madogo. Kuungua kwa jua kwa sababu ya mlipuko wa jua kunaweza kuhitaji matibabu ikiwa ngozi imeambukizwa. Tafuta matibabu ikiwa dalili zinazidi kuwa mbaya badala ya kuboreshwa.