What is sunburn?
Unfortunately, too many Australians are familiar with the pain and discomfort of sunburn. Most of us have been sunburnt at least once in our lives, and many people get sunburnt regularly during summer.
The UV radiation from the sun makes our skin burn. You can't see or feel UV radiation. It can pass through light cloud so sunburn can occur on cool, cloudy days.
As soon as UV radiation hits our skin, the top layer of the skin releases chemicals that cause the blood vessels to swell and leak fluids, causing inflammation, pain and redness.
This type of damage, which can occur in as little as 15 minutes, will continue to develop for 1-3 days after exposure to the sun.
Sunburn and skin cancer risk
If you've been sunburnt, it means that cells in your skin have absorbed some UV radiation, which can damage the genetic structure of the cell, increasing the risk of skin cancer.
All types of sunburn – whether serious or mild – can cause permanent skin damage and can increase the risk of skin cancer later in life.
Treating sunburn 
For severe sunburn (blistering, fever, nausea), see a doctor. It's important to drink lots of fluids as sunburn can cause dehydration, but avoid cold drinks, which can cause chills. It can also help to have a cool (not cold) shower, and to apply cool or lukewarm compresses.
If you have mild or moderate sunburn:
If you're unsure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
|
SunSmart Home