Sun Burn and Its Effects
You get sun burn when you are exposed to the sun without the right protection. Swimming or sunbathing or just playing under the heat of the sun when using proper skin protection can make the skin red, tender and swollen. A stinging sensation and blistering may take place on the skin. Nobody is exempted from the skin being burned by the heat of the sun even people of color do.
With too much exposure to the sun or any ultraviolet light source the skin gets burned. This occur because the body is unable to make sufficient melanin (protective pigment in the skin) to shield the skin. For fair complexioned people it takes only 15 minutes when exposed to the sun for the skin to get burn. For dark-skinned persons it may take hours to get a sun burn.
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People have to take in mind that excessive exposure to the sun will cause irreparable skin damage. It can put people at risk of developing skin cancer called melanoma. Every time a person gets sun burn it increases the danger a little more.
Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer. Its spread to other parts of the body is fast and it could result in death. |
Avoidance of the sun’s heat is by wearing as much as possible protective covering like wide brim hat, the right SPF of sunscreen and clothes that cover the body. Sunscreens can put off ultraviolet light as a result lessening the amount of UV light that reaches the skin. Exposure to the sun should be restricted. Particularly the sun is hottest between 10am to 3pm. Limit going under the heat to avoid sun burn. Even on overcast days the clouds don’t block the UV rays. Using sunscreen is still advisable.
The eyes should also be protected from the glare of the sun. Wear UV filtering sunglasses. For lips the use of lip balm is advantageous. With lip balm the lips will not burn. Use sunscreen when swimming, especially if the pool is outdoors. You still can get sun burn when swimming. Winter is no exception. Whenever the sun shines, winter or summer months, the sun’s reflection on snow or on paved roads can cause sun burn.
Take necessary precautions. With sun burn pain ensues. Drink over-the-counter analgesic to battle pain. Cool the skin by using anesthetic creams or sprays containing benzocain and lidocain even temporarily. To avoid skin infection wash by using antibacterial and antimicrobial soaps and antiseptics. Apply moisturizers to help skin from drying out and tightening up.
Care for your skin is of utmost importance. If burns are mild use calomine lotion or an aftersun preparation. This will help soothe the sunburned skin. But in cases where severe sun burn occurs it is best to ask for medical aid.
Caring for our skin should be part of our everyday routine. We are almost always exposed to the sun. The sun might have its advantages but it can also cause more harm than good. Lets us exercise caution in everything we do.
