Got Burned yet? Dangers of Sunburn

Do you spend a lot of time in the sun? No one tries to deliberately get sunburned, but it’s all too easy to overdo it. Overexposure to the sun can cause more than just temporary discomfort. It can also cause permanent changes, including premature wrinkling and aging of the skin, DNA damage, cataracts, and even some types of skin cancer.

Fair-skinned people are the most susceptible, but that doesn’t mean that darker-skinned people are safe from the sun, especially in tropical or subtropical climates.

You may experience a higher risk of sunburn when you indulge in your favorite outdoor activity, too—high altitude activities like mountain climbing or skiing, or sports that don’t involve a lot of protective clothing like surfing or boardsailing increase your exposure to ultraviolet light and thus increase your chances of burning. Time of exposure also matters. The mid-day sun is far more intense than later in the day or early in the morning. Also, spring and summer sun is more intense than fall and winter sun.

There are some less obvious things that will increase your risk of sunburn, too. Certain foods, such as limes, parsnips, celery and figs contain psoralens—chemicals that sensitize the skin to sunlight. If you eat psoralen-containing foods before spending a day in the sun, you are much more likely to get a severe sunburn.
Some drugs sensitize the skin to the sun also. The most common is the antibiotic tetracycline, and its close relatives like doxycycline. Certain diuretics, acne medicines and oral contraceptives may also increase your susceptibility to sunburn.

The best thing you can do about a sunburn is prevent it from happening. When possible, avoid mid-day sun exposure, especially in the spring and summer. Protective clothing, including wide-brimmed hats, can help minimize exposure. If you can’t avoid spending time in the sun, use a good sunscreen.

Sunscreens with a protective factor of 15 or greater (SPF 15) are best. Ultraviolet B rays (UVB) cause most sunburn, and PABA-containing sunscreens protect well against UVB. Some people cannot tolerate PABA. PABA-free sunscreens containing benzophenones and cinnamates work well also. PABA doesn’t block ultraviolet-A (UVA) radiation. UVA rays cause skin reactions from drugs or psoralens. TO protect against the sun when eating a psoralen-rich diet or taking sun-sensitizing medication, use a sunscreen with benzophenones.

Sunscreen is most effective when you apply it at least half an hour before you go out in the sun. This gives the active ingredients time to bind to the stratum corneum (a layer of your skin). After swimming, or just sweating a lot, you should reapply the sunscreen.

Common as it is, there really aren’t many ways to effectively treat sunburn. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like aspirin can reduce redness if taken within the first 24 hours. Cool water compresses may help, and feel soothing. Topical medications with ‘caine in the name should be avoided as they may cause allergic sensitization. In fact, if you’ve managed to get sunburn, there is one proven treatment… time. [source]