Recommendations And Care For Sunburn

Sunburn  is what one suffers from when one is exposed to the sun’s UV rays for a long time. The most intense symptoms generally appear within the first 24 hours and then begin to diminish. It is important to perform proper care of sunburn.

What are known as sunburn are a series of disorders of varying degrees. There are mild lesions with only peeling of the outer layer of the epidermis. Other times, however, the sunburn leaves a peeling of the skin and dandruff.

In both situations  , the affected area becomes red from blood clots. There is not always inflammation, but the flow of fluid in the tissues can increase in volume.

As we mentioned,  this sunburn comes from the sun’s UV rays. Although there are different wavelengths in the sun’s rays, the radiation that affects the skin the most is UVB and UVA.

UVA radiation is very penetrating and can reach the dermis, which is below the epidermis. The negative effects of this type of radiation manifest themselves in the long run. It accelerates cell aging and promotes the development of skin cancer.

On the other hand, UVB radiation is the direct cause of sunburn. The skin becomes darker and burns due to this radiation. It is also capable of altering cells and turning them into cancer cells. Both radiation is thus a risk factor for cancer.

Risk groups for sunburn

Everyone suffers from sunburn if you expose yourself too much to the sun’s rays  at times when the sun is stronger and without protection. In any case, certain population groups are more susceptible to these scalds. Among them are the following:

• People who have to work outdoors around noon.

• People with very light skin.
• Persons performing water sports or sports in mountains, since the reflection of water and snow is capable of burning with the same intensity as direct light.
• People living in the tropics,  where the direct sun is more perpendicular to the earth and the radiation is on for longer.
• Patients taking certain types of antibiotics  such as doxycycline.
• Chronic patients with autoimmune disorders involving the skin such as lupus.

How to perform sunburn care

When you have sunburn,  take precautions to alleviate the damage. One usually does not need to go to a doctor in these cases. However, if you have any doubts about the degree or development of sunburn, we recommend that you talk to a doctor.

If you know that you have been exposed to the sun and that there will definitely be a scald, you should  bathe in cold water when you get home. You can also apply cold compresses on the affected area to start controlling the irritation that will appear.

You should wear loose clothing while the sunburn persists. Rubbing from sweaters and pants hurts in addition to promoting peeling, which can be dangerous if there are dandruff.

In the case of liquid-filled blisters, it is best not to burst them. One must let them develop without too much intervention. You can apply cream with analgesic and cooling properties around them and cover them with a sterile bandage so that they do not become inflamed.

With regard to medicine, the article  “Approach to the treatment of skin aging”  in the journal  Ars Pharmaceutica  suggests the use of Gotu kola in creams. This can stimulate the production of collagen to repair the skin. Orally, you can take paracetamol to control the pain.

Take care of yourself by using sunscreen

Sunscreen is a basic aid in the summer and throughout the year. Dermatological associations recommend using it when exposed directly to the sun and even more so in high-risk populations.

What sunscreen does is  reflect the radiation or absorb it to prevent it from reaching the skin. The device used to measure this effect is SPF ( sun protection factor ). Each SPF is associated with a percentage of the UV rays it filters.

In practice  , sunscreen with an SPF of 30 is enough in most cases,  as it blocks 96.7% of the radiation. It is beneficial to use a higher factor in the face, for children or people with very light skin.

However, it is important to know how to apply and maintain it. Prevention of sunburn depends on the cream being evenly distributed on the body and creating a layer of at least 2 milligrams per square centimeter on the skin.

It is a healthy habit to protect oneself from and perform proper care of sunburn

Although it may not seem like it, it is a habit that affects your future if you protect yourself from sunburn. You can prevent most cases of skin cancer  if you at least follow the precautions to avoid exposure to the sun and apply enough sunscreen.

If you are in doubt about an injury to the skin, whether it is a sunburn or a more severe burn, we recommend that you  talk to a doctor. It is best to follow their advice based on how severe the condition is, and act on it as part of sunburn care.