Sunburn

Sunburn is the redness, soreness, itching, and sometimes blistering caused by too much exposure to the sun or a sunlamp (tanning bed). People with very light skin are at a greater risk for sunburn. Being in the sun near sand, snow, water, and cement increases your chance of getting burned. You can even get sunburned on cloudy days, because 80 percent of the sun's rays penetrate the clouds. Winds and higher altitudes also increase the risk of sunburn.

Ultraviolet rays of the sun are damaging to the skin. Years of sun exposure can cause roughness, premature aging, wrinkles, "age" or "liver" spots, and dilated blood vessels. It can also increase your risk for skin cancer.

Research has shown that long hours in the sun without adequate eye protection increase the chances of developing eye disease. UV- absorbent sunglasses can help protect your eyes from sun damage. Check to see if the label says "UV absorption", "UV protection", special purpose" or "Meets ANSI UV Requirements." If it does, the glasses block at least 99 percent of UV rays. Those labeled "cosmetic" block about 70 percent. If there is no label, do not buy the sunglasses. Darker glasses are not necessarily better. UV protection comes from an invisible chemical applied to the lenses, not from the color or darkness of the lenses. Look for the ANSI label. Ideally, all types of eyewear (prescription glasses, contact lenses, and intraocular lens implants used in cataract surgery), should provide UV protection. Children need smaller versions of real, protective adult sunglasses--not toy sunglasses.

The most important thing you can do to prevent sun damage is to avoid the sun. If you are going to be in the sun for more than 20 minutes, always use a sunscreen. Look for one that has a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. This blocks 93 percent of the sun's rays. An SPF of 30 blocks 97 percent. Experts recommend an SPF of 30, if you are fair-skinned. Choose a sunscreen that also blocks ultraviolet A & B rays (UV-A & UV-B). UV-B causes the most sunburns and damage to the skin.

Apply the sunscreen to all exposed skin areas 15 to 30 minutes before going in the sun. About 1 ounce is needed to completely cover the body. Re-apply every 2 hours. During swimming or strenuous activity, re-apply every 30 minutes and when finished.

Other things you can do to prevent sunburn are to:

• avoid long exposures to the sun, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM
• be especially careful around sand, water, snow or cement, and in high altitudes
• wear a tightly woven hat with a wide brim; not a straw hat
• wear dark, tightly woven clothing; synthetics offer more protection than cotton
• wear sunglasses that provide 100 percent UV protection
• avoid tanning salons and sun lamps

If you do get sunburned, you will feel the effects within 2 to 6 hours. Your skin will be red and feel warm. Then it may begin to itch and become painful. Blisters may appear in some cases. Within a few days, the skin will begin to scale and peel. Nausea, abdominal cramping, weakness, fatigue, fever, chills, headache, or a rapid pulse may occur in more severe cases. If these occur, call your healthcare provider.

There are some things you can do to help relieve the symptoms:

• make sure to protect the burned skin from the sun
• put cool, wet compresses or Witch Hazel (available at your drugstore) on the skin for 20 minutes 3 to 4 times a day to relieve pain and itching
• soak in a cool bath to which colloidal oatmeal, such as Aveeno, has been added (available at your drugstore)
• apply Calamine Lotion 3 times a day to relieve the itching
• apply a good moisturizer, such as Nivea, Eucerin or Lubriderm, 3 times a day to reduce dryness and peeling
• take antihistamines, such as Benadryl, to relieve the itching (This may cause drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery or equipment while you are taking Benadryl.)
• drink lots of water or non-alcoholic beverages and
• do not use over-the-counter anesthetics, such as benzocaine, as they may irritate the skin

If you have blisters, do not break them. Skin helps keep bacteria out and prevents infection. Let them open on their own. Apply an antibiotic ointment, like Bacitracin, to any open blisters 2 times a day for 3 days. If you think the blisters are infected, check with your healthcare provider. Signs of infection are increased redness or pain, and thick, yellow discharge from the blisters.

To relive pain and reduce inflammation, take aspirin, NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen), or acetaminophen (such as Tylenol). Aspirin or medicines that have aspirin in them should not be given to anyone younger than 18 years of age. Taking aspirin is a risk for a serious illness called Reye's syndrome. Non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should be taken with food or milk to prevent stomach upset. NSAIDs should not be taken by anyone who has been diagnosed with asthma, ulcer disease, or a bleeding disorder. Taking NSAIDs increases the risk of bleeding with trauma, dental work, surgery, or if taking blood thinners (anticoagulants). Acetaminophen should not be taken by anyone with known liver or kidney disease. Do not drink alcohol when taking more than 1 dose of acetaminophen.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File PREP4921.rf2 VRS# 4921 Data Version 7.0 Copyright 1998, 2002-2003 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved.