July 3, 2025 | It’s a condition that affects all body and ethnic types, male and female, young and old. It’s difficult to hide and easy to prevent. A sunburn is a painful part of summer, very common this time of year when so many people are spending time outdoors. Everyone recognizes the signs, red, painful skin that feels hot to the touch. Sunburn usually appears within a few hours after sun exposure and may take from several days to fade. Intense sun exposure that results in sunburn increases your risk of certain complications and related skin diseases. These include wrinkled skin, liver spots and skin cancers like melanoma. Ultraviolet rays are an invisible form of radiation that can penetrate your skin and damage skin cells. Sunburns are a sign of damage that appear after the sun’s rays have already killed some cells and damaged others. Sunburns occur even on hazy days since as much as 90 percent of UV rays pass through clouds.

July 3, 2025 | Anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors knows this all too well. Any part of your body can be sunburned, including your earlobes, scalp and lips. Your eyes, which are extremely sensitive to the sun’s ultraviolet light, can also burn. Sunburned eyes may feel painful or gritty. The signs and symptoms of sunburn usually appear within a few hours after sun exposure. But it may take a day or more to know the full extent and severity of sunburn. The signs of sunburn include, pink or red skin, skin that feels warm or hot to the touch, pain, and small fluid-filled blisters that may break. Headache, fever and fatigue are also possible symptoms if the sunburn covers a large area. Within a few days, your body starts to heal itself by “peeling” the top layer of damaged skin. After peeling, your skin may temporarily have an irregular color and pattern. Depending on the severity, it may take several days or more for the sunburn to heal.

July 3, 2025 | Sunburns are caused by exposure to too much ultraviolet. UV radiation is a wavelength of sunlight in a range too short for the human eye to see. UV light is divided into three wavelength bands, ultraviolet A, ultraviolet B and ultraviolet C. Tanning beds also produce UV light and can cause sunburn. When you’re exposed to UV light, your skin accelerates its production of melanin. Melanin is the dark pigment in the epidermis that gives your skin its normal color. The extra melanin, produced to protect the skin’s deeper layers, creates the darker color of a “tan.” A suntan is actually your body’s way of blocking the UV rays to prevent sunburn and other damage. But the protection only goes so far. The amount of melanin a person produces is determined genetically, and many people simply can’t produce enough melanin to protect the skin well. Eventually, UV light causes the skin to burn, bringing pain and redness.

July 3, 2025 | If you have suffered a sunburn, you should avoid further direct sun exposure for a few days. Cool water or cool milk soaks may help cool and soothe the affected areas. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help decrease the redness and pain. Applying a greasy cream or ointment may actually make the pain worse by trapping the heat on the skin. And make sure to drink lots of fluids. Do not attempt to break any blisters that may form, you can cover these with gauze if necessary. If any break on their own, a topical antibiotic ointment can be applied. The best way to treat a sunburn is to not get one. Avoid direct sun in the middle of the day, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Use a hat with a wide brim and cover up with tightly woven clothing. Use sunscreen on all exposed skin areas, including the lips, before going outdoors. Apply it 30 minutes before going outdoors, and reapply every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating a lot.

July 3, 2025 | If you have suffered from a large number of sunburns, you should regularly perform a self-exam to look for signs of skin cancer. It is best to perform the exam in a well-lit area after a shower or bath. Use a full-length mirror with the added assistance of a hand mirror, when necessary. Using a hair dryer can help you examine any areas of skin covered by hair, such as your scalp. In front of a full-length mirror, inspect the front of your body, making sure to look at the front of your neck and legs. With your arms raised, inspect both sides of your body, making sure to examine your underarms. With your elbows bent, examine the front and back of your arms as well as your elbows and hands. As you perform your monthly self-exam, familiarize yourself with the moles, freckles, and other marks on your body, and look for any changes in them from month to month, including shape, size, color, or other changes, such as bleeding or itching.