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Sunburn Effects and Symptoms

The experience of sunburn can be an efficient reminder to pay attention to adequate protection on future occasions. However more significantly it should be a reminder of the long-term effects of sun exposure on our bodies and health - which can include aging of the skin and skin cancer.

In order to completely understand these consequences, we need to know what is sunburn, its symptoms and its effect on the body.

What is sunburn?
Sunburn is caused when the amount of exposure to the sun or other ultraviolet light source (e.g. tanning lamps and welding arcs etc.) go beyond the ability of the body's protective pigment melanin to protect the skin. Melanin content varies largely but in general, darker skinned people have more melanin than lighter skinned. Even though fairer skinned people are generally more prone to getting sunburn than darker skinned people this certainly does not exclude the latter from risk.

Sunburn effects:
Sunburn damages cells in the outer layer of the skin damaging tiny blood vessels underneath. Burns deeper into the skin's layers also destroy elastic fibers in the skin, which over time and with constant sun overexposure can result in the appearance of yellowish wrinkled skin.

The injury to skin cells from UV exposure (either sunlight or tanning lamps etc.) can also be harmful to their DNA. It is this recurring DNA damage, which can lead to a cell becoming cancerous. With the occurrence of skin cancer rising dangerously in many parts of the world and before external signs are detected, paying attention to this characteristic of sun exposure and sunburn should certainly not be ignored if we are serious about preserving our health.

Sunburn symptoms:
While sunburn is generally not immediately evident skin discoloration (ranging from slightly pink to severely red or even purplish), will initially become visible within 1 - 24 hours after exposure. Even though pain is usually worst after 6 - 48 hours the burn can carry on to develop for 24 - 72 hours after the incident.

Where there is skin peeling this generally takes place 3 - 8 days after the burn occurs.

Minor sunburns normally cause nothing more than warm/hot skin slight redness and tenderness to the affected area. In more serious cases, severe redness, swelling and blistering can occur. These blisters filled with fluid may irritate and eventually break. This can then cause peeling of the skin exposing even a tendered layer of skin underneath.

Severe sunburn can cause red-blistered skin along with fever chills, nausea (in some cases vomiting) and dehydration. In instances of extreme sunburn where the pain is unbearable medical treatment may be required.

Do not let sunburn and sun overexposures kill your chances of enjoying youthful skin and a healthy body. Keep in mind the best way to cure sunburn will constantly be to avoid it in the first place!