Skin problems health centre

Sunburn and other sun reactions of the skin

The sun produces invisible rays called ultraviolet-A (UVA) or ultraviolet-B (UVB) that can damage the skin. Too much sun can cause sunburn, skin texture changes and skin cancers. Rashes also can be attributed to sunlight. Even on cloudy days, UV radiation reaches the earth and can cause skin damage.

Sunburn and your skin

Sunburn is a condition that occurs when the amount of exposure to the sun or another ultraviolet light source exceeds the ability of the body's protective pigment (melanin) to protect the skin.

Symptoms of sunburn include painful, reddened skin; however, sunburn may not be immediately apparent. By the time the skin starts to become painful and red, the damage has been done. Severe sunburn may result in swelling and blisters. People who are severely sunburned may develop a raised temperature, chills and/or weakness. In rare cases, people with sunburn can go into shock (very low blood pressure, raised pulse and impaired consciousness).

Several days after sunburn, people with naturally fair skin may have peeling in the burned areas. Some itching may occur and the peeled areas are even more sensitive to sunburn for several weeks.

Susceptibility to sunburn is increased in people who have:

• Fair skin.
• Light-coloured hair.
• Are using certain medications that increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunburn, such as NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory drugs), quinolones, tetracyclines, psoralens, thiazides, furosemide, amiodarone and the phenothiazines.

Sunburn treatments

To treat (or ease the discomfort of) sunburn:

• Apply a cold compress to the affected area(s).
• Take ibuprofen or paracetamol immediately after exposure to the sun to relieve discomfort and inflammation (do not give aspirin to children because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome).
• Apply a cooling gel or ointment containing aloe vera, corticosteroids or antihistamines to the affected area(s).
• Avoid further sun exposure until the discomfort resolves.

In cases of severe sunburn or sunstroke, seek urgent medical advice or go to accident and emergency.