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Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Sunburn

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

A sunburn is an inflammation of the skin as a result of overexposure to the sun. The sun's ultraviolet rays destroy the outer layer of skin cells and the tiny blood vessels underneath and cause a burn.

What are the causes and risks of the injury?

The ultraviolet rays from the sun destroy the outer layer of skin cells, causing a sunburn. Risk factors that increase a person's chance of sunburn include the following:

fair skin

high altitude

living near the equator

wind

reflections from snow, sand, and water

Symptoms & Signs

What are the signs and symptoms of the injury?

Most sunburns will appear a few hours after sun exposure. The most intense symptoms may not occur for as long as 24 hours afterward. The following symptoms occur most commonly:

red, warm, tender skin

blistering of the skin, which indicates a second-degree the amount of body surface area, also called BSA, that is injured\ \the depth of destruction\ \the location of the burn\ ',CAPTION,'Burns');" onmouseout="return nd();">burn

swelling of the skin

chills, nausea, or rash

peeling of the skin

Diagnosis & Tests

How is the injury recognized?

Diagnosis is usually made by a history of sun exposure, examination of the skin, and the person's own experience of the warmth and tenderness associated with sunburn.

Prevention & Expectations

What can be done to prevent the injury?

The best prevention is to avoid sun exposure during the peak hours between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M. For those who want to tan their skin, particularly fair-skinned people, sun exposure should be limited to 15 minutes on the first day, then increased gradually. Measures to avoid sunburn include the following:

avoiding sunbathing, including indoor tanning facilities

applying and reapplying sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, as directed on the package. Fair-skinned people should use sunscreen with a higher SPF.

wearing proper clothing, including long sleeves and a wide-brimmed hat. Avoid clothing that is light, of loose-knit cotton, or wet.

wearing sunglasses, or ski goggles for winter sports

applying lip balm that contains sunscreen

Treatment & Monitoring

What are the treatments for the injury?

The treatments for sunburn include:

cool baths

cool compresses, which are wet cloths applied to areas of skin irritation

avoidance of repeated sun exposure

soothing lotions and creams

over-the-counter creams containing numbing agents

Some healthcare providers will prescribe a corticosteroid cream to speed up the healing process for people with severe sunburn.

For people with severe burns, blisters can sometimes rupture and become infected. If the ruptured blisters look infected, it is important to seek treatment.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

Placing people, especially small or thin people, in cool baths can cause them to become chilled very easily. It is important not to allow the water to become too cool. Some of the lotions and ointments used for the treatment of sunburn pain can cause an allergic reaction in the affected area.

What happens after treatment for the injury?

Most sunburns heal within 10 to 14 days if further sun exposure is avoided. It is important to realize that progressive sun exposure increases the risk for developing certain skin cancers, such as melanoma. Therefore, people with multiple sunburns or a history of significant sun exposure should be checked frequently by a healthcare provider for suspicious skin lesions.

Attribution

Author:James Broomfield, MD
Date Written:
Editor:Ballenberg, Sally, BS
Edit Date:02/28/01
Reviewer:Eileen McLaughlin, RN, BSN
Date Reviewed:07/27/01