Sunburn

A history of several severe, painful sunburns, particularly in childhood is linked with melanoma – the most serious type of skin cancer.

Sunburn is a radiation burn to the skin. Skin turns red within two to six hours of being burnt. It will continue to develop for the next 24 to 72 hours. The more exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the worse the sunburn becomes.

Sunburn can be grouped by seriousness:

• first-degree sunburn: mild sunburn that reddens and inflames the skin
• second-degree sunburn: more serious reddening of the skin and water blisters
• third-degree sunburn: requires medical attention; you should see your doctor if you experience blistering, headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness or severe pain.

Is damage permanent?

Sunburn at any age, whether serious or mild, can cause permanent and irreversible skin damage that can lay the groundwork for skin cancer later in life.

How long does it take for sunburn to occur?

The amount of sun exposure required to cause sunburn varies greatly from person to person. People with white and light brown skin tend to be more sensitive to the sun and burn more easily. In summer, a fair-skinned person can burn in as little as 15 minutes. People with darker skin are less sensitive to the sun and may rarely burn. 

I have never been sunburnt, am I still at risk of skin cancer?

Your lifetime tally of UV radiation exposure together with the number of severe sunburns, especially during childhood, increases your risk of skin cancer.

People with naturally dark brown skin types are less likely to burn. They can still receive enough UV radiation to increase their long-term risk of skin cancer, especially around sensitive skin areas, such as eyes and lips.

How do I treat sunburn?

These suggestions may help to manage the symptoms of sunburn:

• Avoid further sun exposure until the redness, peeling and pain have disappeared.
• Drink plenty of water to replenish your fluid levels. Dehydration is another potentially dangerous side effect of too much exposure to the sun.
• Take cool showers and apply cool compresses.
• As soon as it becomes comfortable to do so, apply a moisturising cream to the burnt area. Moisturising will not stop peeling, but it will help prevent the new skin below from drying out. (Chemists stock a range of sunburn treatments that can be rubbed or sprayed onto the skin.)

Why does skin peel?

Damaged skin cells self-destruct and peel off in tatty sheets. It is the body's way of getting rid of damaged skin cells that might develop into cancers.

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