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Sunburn Considerations:
Sunburn results when the amount of exposure to the sun or other ultraviolet light source exceeds the ability of the body's protective pigment, melanin , to protect the skin. Sunburn in a very light-skinned person may occur in less than 15 minutes of noonday sun exposure, while a dark-skinned person may tolerate the same exposure for hours.
It is now recognized that sunburn and sun exposure should not be taken as something insignificant. Deaths have resulted from acute sun exposure and significant temporary disability is experienced by millions of sunburned people each year.
Unlike a thermal burn , sunburn is not immediately apparent. By the time the skin starts to become painful and red the damage has been done. The pain is worst between 6 and 48 hours after sun exposure. In severe sunburns, blistering of the skin may occur. Edema of the skin, especially in the legs, is common. Toxins are released with sunburn and fever is not uncommon. Skin peeling usually begins between 3 and 8 days after exposure.
The long-term consequences of years of overexposure to the sun are significant. One blistering sunburn doubles the likelihood of developing malignant melanoma . Chronic sun exposure causes premature wrinkling and aging of the skin. Age spots (lentigo) are a result of sun exposure. Skin cancer (basal cell and squamous cell cancer) is directly related to the amount of sun exposure (determined by skin pigmentation and hours in the sun). Finally, sun exposure and ultraviolet damage have been implicated in the development of cataracts .
Very effective sun screens have been developed that protect from UVA and UVB (long and short wavelengths of ultraviolet light), which are the components of sunlight responsible for burning and cancerous changes in the skin. Sunscreen, protective clothing, and ultraviolet-protected sunglasses are all recommended to prevent excessive sun exposure.
Home Care:
For sunburn pain, try acetaminophen, cold compresses, and cool baths. (Aspirin should be avoided in children who also appear ill). Avoid products that contain
benzocaine, and avoid use of Vaseline. If blisters are present, dry bandages may help prevent infection.
Sunburn is better prevented than treated. Effective sunscreens are available in a wide variety of strengths.
Call Your Healthcare Provider If:
- there is a fever with the sunburn.
- fluid-filled blisters , dizziness , or visual difficulties accompany the sunburn.
What to Expect:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.
Medical history questions documenting sunburn may include: - time pattern
- When did it occur?
- How often does sunburn develop?
- type of sunburn
- Is the skin red?
- Are there blisters ?
- How much of the body was sunburned?
- aggravating factors
- What medications are being taken?
- relieving factors
- Do you use a sunblock or sunscreen? What type? How strong?
- other
Intervention:
Treatment of sunburn is symptomatic , and prevention remains the key to avoiding the painful consequences of overexposure to the sun.
For first-degree burns , a prescription corticosteroid lotion may be prescribed. The rare second-degree burns (with blisters) may be treated with antibiotics, analgesics , and/or sedatives.
After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to sunburn to your personal medical record.
The depth of a burn determines its severity. Very shallow, superficial burns cause only reddening while deeper burns may produce blistering, or destruction through the entire layer of skin down to the subcutaneous tissue.
Sunburn can produce severe blistering and toxic symptoms. This individual has developed blistering following excessive sun exposure. Individuals with brown eyes and a darker completion are able to tolerate more sun exposure with less damage.
Malignant melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. Melanomas beneath the fingernail appear as a black or bluish black discoloration. This type of malignancy spreads (metastasizes) readily.
Increased risk for skin cancer, especially melanoma, is associated with chronic exposure to sunlight, blistering sunburns, and a family history of skin cancer.
Malignant melanoma is the most dangerous type of the skin cancers. Typical features of melanomas include irregular borders, multiple colors within the lesion, rapid growth, and susceptibility to easy injury with bleeding. Any mole that exhibits any of these changes should be evaluated immediately by your physician.
Malignant melanoma is the most dangerous type of the skin cancers. Typical features of melanomas include irregular borders, multiple colors within the lesion, rapid growth, and susceptibility to easy injury with bleeding. Any mole that exhibits any of these changes should be evaluated immediately by your physician.
Malignant melanoma is the most dangerous type of the skin cancers. Typical features of melanomas include irregular borders, multiple colors within the lesion, rapid growth, and susceptibility to easy injury with bleeding. Any mole that exhibits any of these changes should be evaluated immediately by your health care provider.
Actinic chelitis is caused by chronic and excessive exposure to the ultraviolet radiation in sunlight. There is thickening whitish discoloration of the lip at the border of the lip and skin. There is also loss of the usually sharp demarcation between the red of the lip and the normal skin (vermilion border). This condition is considered premalignant and may lead to squamous cell skin cancer.
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