Sunburn: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 02:43, 11 December 2024

An overview of sunburn, its causes, symptoms, and treatments

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Sunburn is a form of radiation burn that affects living tissue, such as skin, that results from an overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, commonly from the sun. It is characterized by red, painful skin that may peel or blister in severe cases. Sunburn is a significant risk factor for skin cancer, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.

Causes

Sunburn is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. There are two types of UV radiation that affect the skin: UVA and UVB. UVB is more likely to cause sunburn, while UVA penetrates deeper into the skin and contributes to photoaging and skin cancer.

Symptoms

The symptoms of sunburn can vary depending on the severity of the exposure. Common symptoms include:

Redness and inflammation of the skin
Pain and tenderness
Swelling
Blistering in severe cases
Peeling of the skin as it heals

Pathophysiology

Sunburn occurs when the amount of UV radiation exceeds the protective capacity of the skin's melanin. UV radiation causes direct damage to the DNA in skin cells, leading to apoptosis and an inflammatory response. This damage can also lead to mutations that increase the risk of skin cancer.

Prevention

Preventing sunburn involves minimizing exposure to UV radiation. This can be achieved by:

Wearing protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and wide-brimmed hats
Applying sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF)
Seeking shade, especially during peak sun hours
Wearing sunglasses that block UV rays

Treatment

Treatment for sunburn focuses on relieving symptoms and supporting the skin's healing process. Common treatments include:

Cool baths or showers to soothe the skin
Moisturizers or aloe vera gel to hydrate the skin
Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to reduce pain and inflammation
Drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration

Complications

Severe sunburn can lead to complications such as:

Heat exhaustion or heat stroke
Infection of blisters
Increased risk of skin cancer

Also see

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-= Sunburn =
+{{Short description|An overview of sunburn, its causes, symptoms, and treatments}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
+{{Medical disclaimer}}
-== Introduction ==
+[[File:Sunburn Treatment Practices.jpg|thumb|Various sunburn treatment practices.]]
-Sunburn is an inflammatory reaction of the skin to excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, primarily from the sun. It is characterized by red, painful skin that may blister in severe cases.
+[[File:Sunburn blisters.jpg|thumb|Severe sunburn can cause blistering of the skin.]]
+[[File:direct DNA damage.png|thumb|Diagram showing direct DNA damage caused by UV radiation.]]
+[[File:UV Diurnal Erythemal Dose Rate Per Latitude graph.png|thumb|Graph showing UV diurnal erythemal dose rate per latitude.]]
-== Causes ==
+'''Sunburn''' is a form of [[radiation burn]] that affects living tissue, such as [[skin]], that results from an overexposure to [[ultraviolet (UV) radiation]], commonly from the [[sun]]. It is characterized by red, painful skin that may peel or blister in severe cases. Sunburn is a significant risk factor for [[skin cancer]], including [[melanoma]], [[basal cell carcinoma]], and [[squamous cell carcinoma]].
-Sunburn is caused by overexposure to UV radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. The amount of UV radiation absorbed by the skin depends on the strength of the light, duration of exposure, and the skin's natural pigment.
-<youtube>
+==Causes==
-title='''{{PAGENAME}}'''
+Sunburn is primarily caused by exposure to [[ultraviolet radiation]] from the sun. There are two types of UV radiation that affect the skin: [[UVA]] and [[UVB]]. UVB is more likely to cause sunburn, while UVA penetrates deeper into the skin and contributes to [[photoaging]] and [[skin cancer]].
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-&rel=1
-embed_source_url=http://www.youtube.com/v/yCZ941N3z2M
-&rel=1
-wrap = yes
-width=750
-height=600
-</youtube>
-== Symptoms and Signs ==
+==Symptoms==
-Common symptoms of sunburn include:
+The symptoms of sunburn can vary depending on the severity of the exposure. Common symptoms include:
-* Red, tender skin that is warm to the touch.
+* Redness and inflammation of the skin
-* Pain and itching.
+* Pain and tenderness
-* Swelling.
+* Swelling
-* In severe cases, blistering and peeling skin.
+* Blistering in severe cases
+* Peeling of the skin as it heals
-[[File:Sunburn Treatment Practices.jpg|thumb|Severe sunburn with blistering.]]
+==Pathophysiology==
+Sunburn occurs when the amount of UV radiation exceeds the protective capacity of the skin's [[melanin]]. UV radiation causes direct damage to the [[DNA]] in skin cells, leading to [[apoptosis]] and an inflammatory response. This damage can also lead to mutations that increase the risk of skin cancer.
-== Pathophysiology ==
+==Prevention==
-UV radiation penetrates the outer layers of the skin and damages the DNA in skin cells, triggering an inflammatory response. This leads to increased blood flow to the affected area, causing redness and heat.
+Preventing sunburn involves minimizing exposure to UV radiation. This can be achieved by:
+* Wearing protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and wide-brimmed hats
+* Applying [[sunscreen]] with a high [[sun protection factor]] (SPF)
+* Seeking shade, especially during peak sun hours
+* Wearing [[sunglasses]] that block UV rays
-== Prevention ==
+==Treatment==
-Preventive measures include:
+Treatment for sunburn focuses on relieving symptoms and supporting the skin's healing process. Common treatments include:
-* Applying broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF.
+* Cool baths or showers to soothe the skin
-* Wearing protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses.
+* Moisturizers or aloe vera gel to hydrate the skin
-* Seeking shade during peak sun hours.
+* Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as [[ibuprofen]] or [[acetaminophen]], to reduce pain and inflammation
-* Avoiding tanning beds.
+* Drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration
-== Treatment ==
+==Complications==
-Treatment aims to relieve symptoms and includes:
+Severe sunburn can lead to complications such as:
-* Cool baths or compresses.
+* [[Heat exhaustion]] or [[heat stroke]]
-* Moisturizers and aloe vera.
+* [[Infection]] of blisters
-* Over-the-counter pain relief.
+* Increased risk of skin cancer
-* Hydration to replace fluid loss.
-== Complications and Long-term Effects ==
+==Also see==
-Repeated sunburns increase the risk of:
+* [[Skin cancer]]
-* Premature skin aging.
+* [[Sunscreen]]
-* Skin cancers, including melanoma.
+* [[Ultraviolet radiation]]
-* Eye damage, such as cataracts.
+* [[Photoaging]]
-== Awareness and Education ==
+{{Skin conditions}}
-Public health campaigns focus on raising awareness about the risks of UV exposure and the importance of sun protection, especially for children.
+{{Dermatology}}
-== External Links ==
-* [Link to a dermatological resource on sunburn and skin care]
-* [Link to a health advisory on UV protection and sunburn prevention]
-== References ==
-<references/>
 [[Category:Dermatology]]
-[[Category:Skin conditions]]
+[[Category:Skin conditions resulting from physical factors]]
-[[Category:Radiation health effects]]
+[[Category:Effects of external causes]]
-{{stub}}