Sunburn is a kind of radiation damage done by the sun. While most people know that radiation is dangerous, they voluntarily expose themselves to the harmful ultraviolet (UV) light of the sun on a regular basis.
Radiation can provoke cancer, and the popularity of sunbathing has brought a steady climb in new cases of skin cancer and actinic keratosis, a precursor to skin cancer. Actinic keratosis and all types of skin cancer, particularly non-melanoma types (basal and squamous cell cancer), are directly linked to sun exposure. Exposure in early life is especially relevant. Many people get the bulk of their sun exposure during childhood, and it has been shown that even one childhood sunburn increases the risk of developing skin cancer later in life. However, sunburn is not required to damage skin. A tan is also clear evidence of UV skin damage.
Sun exposure and sunburn in particular also contribute to photoaging, or the appearance of aging and wrinkled skin. Most of the wrinkles and pigmentation problems seen in the elderly are a direct result of cumulative sun exposure.
Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in Canada. If it weren’t for skin cancer, sunburn would be a minor health problem, with only the most extreme cases requiring hospital treatment. As it is, any sun or other UV exposure, including a gentle tan, increases the risk of skin cancer.
The Sun, like any star, emits vast quantities of energy across a range of wavelengths. The light that’s visible to us is only a small fraction of this energy. The human eye can only perceive electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths between 400 and 700 nanometres (nm), which is called visible light. Violet light, at 400 nm wavelength, and red light, at 700 nm, are the upper and lower boundaries of our ability to see radiation.
The smaller the wavelength, the higher the frequency, resulting in greater power and damage. Long-wavelength, low-frequency emissions that are beyond the visible spectrum, such as radio waves, are felt to be harmless, although longer wavelengths generally have greater penetrating power (for instance, radio waves pass through things light can’t pass through). This is the same as with sound waves: you can hear the low, rumbling and thumping parts of the sound from your neighbour’s stereo, and not the high notes, but it’s the high, shrill notes that can hurt your ears.
Much of the energy emitted by the Sun is shorter-wave, more powerful radiation, most of it in the form of ultraviolet (UV) light. UV light’s place on the electromagnetic spectrum is immediately above the most energetic form of visible light, which is violet.
UV is classified into 3 degrees of energy: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVC has the shortest wavelength and the most energy, but it doesn’t reach the Earth’s surface because it’s stopped by ozone in the Earth’s atmosphere. UVA has the longest wavelength, the least energy, and the most penetrating power of the 3 types. UVB light is between the UVA and UVC in wavelength and energy.
Of all the UV light that reaches the Earth, about 95% of it is UVA. Because it has the least energy, it’s less likely to burn skin than UVB, but because there’s so much UVA, it plays a part in most sunburns.
Just as UVA penetrates the atmosphere better than more potent UVB and UVC, it also penetrates deeper into the skin. On a microscopic scale, UVA light is more likely than UVB to penetrate the upper skin layers and be absorbed by the basal skin layer. Although it’s 1,000 times less potent than UVB, UVA exposure is believed by many experts to be more relevant to wrinkling and aging of the skin, and possibly to skin cancer.
There’s no quick fix for sunburn. Like any burn, it takes time to heal. Acetaminophen*, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), cold water compresses, and cool baths can help with symptoms. Skin hydrating and moisturizing creams may also temporarily relieve pain. Many people believe these can also reduce eventual peeling, but this isn’t proven.
Butter, an old sunburn remedy, is inappropriate, as it increases the risk of infection. Soap should be kept clear of burned areas as it’s an irritant. Anaesthetic sprays or creams should also be avoided unless recommended by a doctor.
In extreme cases, with blistering and large areas of second-degree burns, the sunburn victim is admitted to a burn unit at the hospital. Treatment is identical to that received by other burn patients, including steroids and fluid replacement.
The best advice for sunburn is to avoid it completely. The recommendations given by public health experts on sun exposure generally consist of this:
If you notice any skin changes, including new growths or moles, see your doctor.
In spite of what is known about the risks of sunburn, many Canadians still prefer the look of a "healthy" tan. As an alternative, many self-tanning products are available today that produce the appearance of a tan without the damaging effects of UV rays.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For information on a given medication, check our Drug Information database. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2025. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Sunburn
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