Sunburn causes treatment.

Sunburn: causes  treatment.

Although sunburn is often laughed as a side effect of a visit to the beach or pool, it can be quite severe. In the United States, more than 5.4 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer are treated each year and 90% of these cancers are associated with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, according to the Cancer Foundation the skin.

the causes

Sunburn begins with melanin and UV rays. UV rays present in sunlight and tanning beds damage the skin by damaging the DNA in the cells. Once the DNA is damaged, the cell usually dies. Melanin is the defense of the skin against this damage.

When the skin is exposed to sunlight, it makes more melanin to protect the lower layers of skin lesions. As the skin is damaged, it produces more melanin. The extra melanin makes some people become darker or tan-colored. Others turn red, which is a sign of sunburn. Redness of a burning body floods the area of ​​blood for treatment of lesions and inflammation of the skin.

"Melanin is a natural sunscreen," said Gary Chuang, assistant professor of dermatology at the Faculty of Medicine at Tufts University. "When your body perceives the damage of the sun, which actually begins to send melanin into the surrounding cells and try to protect them and protect them from more damage. Summer science: What causes sunburn?

To protect the skin, melanin absorbs UV light. As the heat disperses.

Melanin is also what makes people have a clear or dark skin. People with light skin have very little melanin, while people with dark skin have a lot of melanin. How long a person spends in the sun, combined with your skin type, determines whether and when a person burns. The darker people do not burn because they are more natural than those with less sun protection from melanin.

Dermatologists use the Fitzpatrick scale to determine a person's risk of sunburn on your skin type, according to Dr. Sharad P. Paul. Paul is a skin cancer specialist, an expert on skin care, evolutionary biologist, author and associate professor at Auckland University of Technology.

This is how it works Fitzpatrick scale:

Skin type 1 always burns and never tans, which is typical of Russet and platinum blonde. These people can spend a maximum time of 67 minutes, sun without protection divided by the UV index at that time. Therefore, if the UV index is 12, the person can spend 5.85 minutes in the sun without protection before burning.

Type 2 skin burns easily, but tans with difficulty. This is usually typical blondes and those with blue eyes. Skin type 2 can spend a maximum of 100 minutes divided by the sun's UV index without burning.

Skin type 3 rarely burns and bronze easily. This type of skin usually belongs to those who have brown or black hair and brown eyes. Type 3 skin can spend up to 200 minutes divided by the UV index of the sun without burning.

Type 4 skin burns and sometimes tan easily. These people tend to be Mediterranean, Spanish or Indian decent. Skin type 4 can spend a maximum of 300 minutes divided by the sun's UV index without burning.

The skin type 5 is dark brown and never burns, but tans easily. This is typical of the darker skin of India and a skin of North Africa.

Type 6 is the skin that has a lot of melanin and does not burn. This skin tanning easily, but it's hard to see because the skin is already so dark.

symptoms

The symptoms of sunburn, which usually start several hours after exposure, include hot pink or red skin that can be sensitive to touch. Swelling can also occur. In severe cases, the person may experience headaches, fever, fatigue and chills, according to the Mayo Clinic.

In second degree burns, the skin can be filled with liquid ice as a means to cool the area. "If bulbs cover a large area such as the entire back, or have chills, headaches or fever, see a doctor immediately," said Dr. Delphine J. Lee, a dermatologist at the Health in Santa Monica Saint John, Calif., Told live science.

The symptoms of sunburn can last for days as the skin is repaired. In addition the burn, plus the healing. In general, a signal that the end is near the damaged areas peels and falls.

Sunburns happen only the skin, but. The eyes can also be burned by the sun. Eyes burned by the sun often feel sandy or painful, according to the Mayo Clinic.

treatment

Treatment should begin as soon as the person realizes that they are burned. "First, stop exposure to ultraviolet light out of the sun," Lee said. Stay out of the sun, as healing from burns is also important.

Lee also advises dipping in cold water to help reduce the temperature of the skin and help soothe the skin. After soaking, pat the dry skin with a towel, but leave a little water in the skin. Then apply a moisturizer to catch the last remaining water molecules in the skin. This will help prevent drought, which can cause more discomfort. No sunburn heals skin peel. Let the dead skin fall naturally. Hydrocortisone cream pharmacy can help relieve discomfort.

Against analgesics such as aspirin or ibuprofen can help reduce swelling, redness and discomfort. "Be sure to ask your dermatologist if you have any other medical conditions or are unsure of the right dose of these medications," Lee said.

It is also important to drink more water to prevent dehydration, because sunburn attracts liquid to the surface of the skin and away from the body.

prevention

"The best way to approach a sunburn is to stop it," Lee said. To avoid sunburn, Lee suggests to avoid the sun stay in the shade (especially when are the strongest 10 to 14 hours the sun's rays), covered with sun protection clothes and a hat and use a screen solar. "A cup (1 ounce) of sunscreen is an appropriate amount to use when most of your skin is exposed while wearing a swimsuit and should be reapplied every two hours," Lee said.

The dyeing bath of sunscreen suit and windows and car windows UV can also prevent accidental burns. These can be especially useful for those who burn easily.

Sunglasses that block 100 percent of UV rays is essential to prevent eye burns and eye damage.

Do not think the clouds prevent sunburn. Eighty percent of UV rays still penetrate clouds, so protection is needed in the days too, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Also, be careful with ice, snow and water, as they reflect sunlight. Snow can actually double a person's exposure to UV rays, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).