Sunburn - NHS Choices. Sunburn is skin damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays. It usually causes the skin to become red, sore, warm, tender and occasionally itchy for about a week. The skin will normally start to flake and peel after a few days and will usually fully heal within seven days. While sunburn is often short- lived and mild, it's important to try to avoid it, because it can increase your chances of developing serious health problems, such as skin cancer, in later life. It’s easy to underestimate your exposure to the sun when outside, as the redness doesn’t usually develop for several hours. Breezes and getting wet (such as going in and out of the sea) may cool your skin, so you don’t realise you’re getting burnt. You should always be aware of the risk of sunburn if you’re outside in strong sun, and look out for your skin getting hot. What to do if you're sunburnt. If you or your child has sunburn, you should get out of the sun as soon as possible – head indoors or into a shady area. You can usually treat mild sunburn at home, although there are some circumstances where you should seek medical advice (see below). The following advice may help to relieve your symptoms until your skin heals: Cool the skin by sponging it with cold water or by having a cold bath or shower – applying a cold compress such as a cold flannel to the affected area may also help. Drink plenty of fluids to cool you down and prevent dehydration. Apply a water- based emollient or petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) to keep your skin cool and moist. Take painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol to relieve any pain – aspirin should not be given to children under 1. Try to avoid all sunlight, including through windows, by covering up the affected areas of skin until your skin has fully healed. When to seek medical advice. You should contact your GP, attend an NHS walk- in centre, or call NHS 1. You should also see your GP if a young child or baby has sunburn, as their skin is particularly fragile. Signs of severe sunburn can include: blistering or swelling of the skin (oedema) chills a high temperature (fever) of 3. C (1. 00. 4. F) or above, or 3. C (9. 9. 5. F) or above in children under five dizziness, headaches and feeling sick (symptoms of heat exhaustion) Your GP may recommend using hydrocortisone cream for a few days (this is also available over the counter at pharmacies) to reduce the inflammation of your skin. Severe sunburn may require special burn cream and burn dressings from your GP or a nurse at your GP surgery. Very occasionally, hospital treatment may be needed. Who's at risk of sunburn? Everyone who is exposed to UV light is at risk of getting sunburn, although some people are more vulnerable than others. You should take extra care when out in the sun if you: have pale, white or light brown skin have freckles or red or fair hair tend to burn rather than tan have many moles have skin problems relating to a medical condition are only exposed to intense sun occasionally – for example, while on holiday are in a hot country where the sun is particularly intense have a family history of skin cancer People who spend a lot of time in the sun, whether it’s for work or play, are at increased risk of skin cancer if they don’t take the right precautions. Snow, sand, concrete and water can reflect the sun’s rays onto your skin, and the sun is more intense at high altitudes. Dangers of UV rays. The short- term risks of sun exposure are sunburn and sun allergy. The longer- term risks (over decades) include: Preventing sunburn. Skin should be protected from strong sunlight by covering up with suitable clothing, seeking shade and applying sunscreen. In the UK, the risk of getting sunburnt is highest from March to October, particularly from 1. There is also a risk of getting sunburn in other weather conditions – for example, light reflecting off snow can also cause sunburn. You can also burn in cloudy and cool conditions. Suitable clothing: a wide- brimmed hat that shades the face, neck and ears a long- sleeved top trousers or long skirts in close- weave fabrics that do not allow sunlight through sunglasses with wraparound lenses or wide arms with the CE Mark and European Standard EN 1. Skin that feels hot to the touch and is red and painful and emerges a few hours after sun exposure is known as sunburn. Dry brown patch after sunburn. Bad sunburn dark patch. Your skin; Skin Aging; what is a sunburn? Sunburn — Sunburn is the common name for the skin injury that appears immediately after the skin. Sunscreen: When buying sunscreen, make sure it's suitable for your skin and blocks both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. The sunscreen label should have: the letters . The amount of sunscreen needed for the body of an average adult to achieve the stated sun protection factor (SPF) is around 3. Video: how to apply sunscreen. If sunscreen is applied too thinly, it provides less protection. If you’re worried you might not be applying enough SPF1. SPF3. 0 sunscreen. If you plan to be out in the sun long enough to risk burning, sunscreen needs to be applied twice: 3. Sunscreen should be applied to all exposed skin, including the face, neck and ears (and head if you have thinning or no hair), but a wide- brimmed hat is better. How long it takes for your skin to go red or burn varies from person to person. The Cancer Research UK website has a handy tool where you can find out your skin type, to see when you might be at risk of burning. Water- resistant sunscreen is needed if sweating or contact with water is likely. Sunscreen needs to be reapplied liberally, frequently and according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This includes straight after you've been in water (even if it is . Find out about vitamin D supplements for children. Page last reviewed: 0. Next review due: 0. Dark Patch On Skin After Sunburn ItchingDark Patch On Skin After Sunburn RedDohan on white patches on skin after waxing. Doctor insights on: White Patches On Skin After. Complications By Mayo Clinic Staff. Laser treatment may Dark Spots On Skin From Sunburn be of great help but it must be determined in the first. These are small dark spots found all over a person’s. Too much sun can cause sunburn and other skin reactions. Sunburn and Your Skin. Sunburn is a condition that. Several days after sunburn.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
January 2017
Categories |