Enjoy Your Summer Without Sunburn || Health Fettle ||

Sunburn

Sunburn is one of the most common problems that result due to the exposure of the skin to the ultraviolet rays in the sunlight. Generally, the outer layer of the skin reddens due to this (first-degree burn). There is also a mild pain associated with it. Usually, this condition can be treated at home.

                When blisters and rashness occur along with swelling and pain, then there is in-depth damage to the skin (second-degree burn). Hence, the recovery time is more in such cases. You may also feel feverish, headache, nausea, weakness and dehydrated.

Besides sunburn, overexposure to sunlight can result in other health hazards-

• Problems are due to exposure to excessive heat which includes heatstroke.
• Allergic reactions due to exposure to sunlight and the use of sunscreen lotions.
• The eyesight is also affected due to overexposure to sunlight which may result in burning sensation in the eyes and vision problem.

Sunburn || Health Fettle ||

Long term effects of overexposure to sunlight include:

• A possibility of skin cancer. More than 90% of skin cancer is due to sun exposure.
• Chances of skin diseases like lupus due to overexposure to sunlight.
• The possibility of development of cataract, a condition that can even result in complete blindness.
• Development of brown spots and wrinkles.
• The extent of sunburn is dependent upon the skin type. Fair-skinned people with blue eyes and blond hair are most prone to sunburn. Skin of children below 6 years and older people above the age of 60, are more sensitive and hence reacts to the sunlight.

The intensity of sunburn also depends on the following:

• The sunrays are most intense between 10AM to 4PM and hence are more likely to cause sunburn during the day.
• Don’t be fooled by the presence of a cloud cover. The ultraviolet rays can pass through them. 
• Even the reflected rays from the polished surfaces like glass, water, snow, white sand, etc can be responsible for sunburn.
• During summer seasons, you are more likely to be affected by sunburn.
• Due to the thinning of the atmosphere, as we move upwards, there are more chances of sunburn at higher altitude. In fact, the intensity of UV radiation increases by 4% for every 1000 feet of elevation above ground level. 
• The sun rays are more intense near the equator. Due to this, the sunlight in the southern USA is one and a half times more than in the northern USA.

Sunburn || Health Fettle ||

Prevention and treatment for sunburn

• Do not overexpose your skin to the sunlight.
• Cover the skin with clothing and sunscreen (at least SPF 30). Apply sunscreen every 2 hourly especially if profuse sweating or swimming. sunscreen should be broad-spectrum [protects against both ultraviolet A(UVA) and ultraviolet B(UVB)] and moisturizing ingredient containing.
• Apply lip balm with SPF 30 At least.
• Use UV protected sunglasses.
• In case you are susceptible to any ailment which may aggravate by overexposure to the sun, do not go out into the sun between 10AM to 4PM.
• During those days when the sunlight is especially strong, we not only have to protect ourselves against sunburn, but we also have to be wary of its long term effects on our health.

For the treatment of sunburn, we can use the following things -

• Use a cool compress to soothe skin (use a soft cloth soaked in cold water, apply on sunburn).
• apply aloe vera gel on the skin for redness and burning.
• take a cool bath to relieve sunburn pain.
• Meet the doctor for severe complaints.