Dermatology

Skin Injury

Skin Injury | Blisters | Burns | Sunburn

Sunburn

What is sunburn?

Sunburn is the skin's reaction to overexposure of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the invisible rays that are part of sunlight. Sunburns are usually characterized by redness and pain, leading to blistering and peeling. Excessive and/or multiple sunburns cause premature aging of the skin and may lead to skin cancer.

What are the symptoms of a sunburn?

The following are the most common symptoms of a sunburn. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently:

red skin
swollen skin
painful skin
blisters
peeling skin
fever
chills
weakness

The symptoms of a sunburn may resemble other dermatologic conditions. Consult a physician for diagnosis.

Matching sunscreens to skin type:
Overexposure to sunlight varies from person to person, with factors such as skin color and type playing a large role. Matching the proper sunscreen with your skin factor is essential in preventing sunburns. The US Food Drug Administration (FDA) recommends the following:

Sun Exposure History	Recommended Sun Protection Factor (SPF)
burns easily, rarely tans	20 to 30
burns easily, tans very little	12 to 20
burns moderately, tans gradually	8 to 12
burns minimally, tans well	4 to 8
rarely burns, tans well	2 to 4

Treatment for sunburns:
Sunburns usually heal themselves in a couple of weeks. Treatment may depend on the severity of the sunburn and may include the following:

cold compresses
lotions or ointments
corticosteroid tablets

This page was last updated on: January 30, 2008.

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