Well, sunburn is a little more complicated than just having pink, painful skin! It can lead from feelings of discomfort to a trip to the hospital. So, what is sunburn you may be asking, and when should I seek medical help?
In this article, we’ll look at the sun’s rays, the types of burns, who’s more at risk, and when to see a doctor.
What is sunburn?
Very simply, sunburn is a type of skin burn resulting from too much exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) rays of sunlight or tanning beds. It results in painful, inflamed skin that feels hot to the touch.
The sun’s rays
The sun gives off three wavelengths of ultraviolet light:
UVC (this light doesn’t reach the Earth’s surface)
UVA
UVB
Skin is damaged by UVA and UVB rays, which can penetrate your skin. Your skin is more at risk of getting sunburn during certain hours of the day – most notably between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Spending too much time on tanning beds or not leaving enough time between tanning sessions can also create sunburn.
Multiple sunburns can lead to premature skin aging and skin cancer. This may take years to appear. Your risk of developing potentially deadly melanoma DOUBLES with a history of 5 or more sunburns! [1]
What are the types of sunburn?
Healthcare providers will group sunburns by the severity of skin damage.
First-degree sunburn
The skin’s outer layer gets damaged. Redness appears on lighter-skinned people. Darker-skinned people may still get sunburned, but it may be harder to see unless they peel or blister. The skin may feel hot or tight along with pain or tenderness. There could be swelling and the skin may start peeling after a few days.
More severe symptoms may include headache, fever, nausea and fatigue.
This stage usually heals on its own, in a few days to a week.
Second-degree sunburn
The skin’s middle section (the dermis) gets damaged. This is when you’ll get blisters on your very red skin. You may have swelling over a bigger area and the skin could look wet. You’ll probably feel pain and there may be white discoloration within the burn.
It’s possible to experience heat illness symptoms that include fast breathing, dizziness, muscle cramps, headaches, shivers, exhaustion, confusion, nausea and fever.
This stage may take weeks to heal and you may need medical treatment.
Third-degree sunburn
This is quite rare and requires emergency treatment. All the layers of your skin, including the fat layer beneath your skin, are damaged. Nerve endings may also be destroyed. Your skin may appear white or a dull skin colour as well as feeling numb. The burn might appear leathery looking. Third-degree burns are usually from chemical burns or fires, not sun exposure.
Anyone can get a sunburn, but certain factors may increase your chances:
Having fair or light skin, freckles, blue eyes, red or fair hair.
Spending a lot of time on the water doing activities and sports.
Taking certain medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) ™, retinoids and heart medications (like diuretics) and antibiotics like Doxycycline and Bactrim. Certain drugs make you more susceptible to burns (photosensitizing medications).
Use of tanning beds without sunscreen.
Not wearing sunscreen when spending time outdoors, especially when in the water, doing sports, or tanning.
Exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. (when the sun’s rays are most intense).
Working outdoors.
The intensity of UV rays which are influenced by altitude, cloud coverage, closeness to the equator and time of day.
Depending on where you are in the world and the thickness of the Ozone layer.
When to see a doctor
Sunburn in a baby younger than 1 year old
Signs of dehydration, including dry mouth, thirst, dizziness, reduced urination and fatigue
Extreme chills or pain
Having a fever of more than 102°F (39°C)
Signs of infection, including pus seeping from blisters
If there are blisters over more than 20% of your body (such as a whole leg, your entire back or both arms) or severe swelling
Low blood pressure
Rapid pulse
Shallow breathing
Changes in behaviour, such as difficulty thinking, confusion, irritability or hallucinations
You now know what is sunburn, but what can you do to prevent it?
First off, you can reduce your chances of sunburn by avoiding the known risks provided in the list above.
You should also use a good quality sunscreen when spending time outdoors. The strength of sunscreen is measured by its SPF – with SPF 15 being the lowest factor, blocking 93% of UVB radiation, and SPF 100 being the highest factor, blocking 99% of UVB radiation.
SPF 30 is the minimum recommended sunscreen, and blocks 98% of UVB radiation, with SPF 50 or higher being recommended for people who are fair-skinned, have a history of skin cancer or are at higher risk of developing skin cancer.
Choosing a sunscreen
When choosing a sunscreen, quality is important. It is also worth noting that there are two main categories of sunscreen available: mineral and chemical. They both work differently to shield the skin from UV rays and reduce the risk of damage.
Mineral sunscreens, for instance, work by forming a physical barrier on the skin’s surface that reflects and disperses UV rays away from it, much like tiny mirrors.
Chemical sunscreens on the other hand are absorbed into the skin and absorb UV rays, changing them into heat. Then they release the heat from the skin.
Each type of sunscreen has its pros and cons:
Mineral sunscreen
creates a physical barrier on top of the skin and is therefore effective immediately
can come off easily through sweating or being rubbed off as it sits on the skin, so frequent application is necessary
can have a white cast and may be visible on the skin
does not clog skin pores, and is a better option for acne sufferers and those with problematic skin
offers full protection from UVA and UVB rays.
Chemical sunscreen
may not protect against all UVA rays as rays still penetrate the skin to reach the absorbed sunscreen layer
becomes effective about 20 minutes after application so planning is required
heat-releasing nature can be problematic for those with hyperpigmentation, rosacea-prone and sensitive skin
can clog pores and be problematic for acne-prone skin
is invisible and cannot be seen on skin; also, less is required per application.
Check the ingredients
When selecting a sunscreen, don’t forget to examine the ingredients. Sadly, sunscreens can contain a list of chemical ingredients in them. Mineral sunscreens, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, have been extensively researched for their clinical safety and efficacy. You can find a wide range of options in outdoor or health food stores. If you prefer a chemical sunscreen, it’s best to avoid sunscreens containing oxybenzone. But for those who’d prefer a completely natural alternative to regular sunscreen without any additives, the good news is that you are likely to find some of these alternatives at home. If this is you, read on …
Are there natural alternatives to chemical sunscreens?
Yes, there are. And what’s more, some of these options also offer health-promoting properties.
Carrot seed oil – up to SPF40 (anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant)
Zinc Oxide – up to SPF30 (anti-inflammatory and soothing on the skin)
Aloe vera – thought to provide up to SPF20 (soothing and hydrating)
Raspberry seed oil – up to SPF50 for UVB and SPF8–10 for UVA (anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, moisturizing)
Coconut oil – blocks up to 20% of UV rays (vitamin E)
Wheat germ oil – up to SPF20 (high vitamin E and skin nourishing)
Olive oil – SPF7–8 (moisturizing)
Shea Butter – SPF3–6 (moisturizing and softening)
Now let’s enjoy the time outdoors because we know what can happen with too much sun. If you happen to get too much sun, check out some natural ways to soothe that skin, using Essential Oils.
