Common Summer Ailments Part #1 (Sunburn)

Sunburn


-Sunburn results from too much sun or sun-equivalent exposure. Almost everyone has been sunburned or will become sunburned at some time.
-Sunburn is literally a burn on your skin. It is a burn from ultraviolet (UV)radiation. The consequence of this burn is inflammation of the skin. Injury can start within 30 minutes of exposure.
-Certain light-skinned and fair-haired people are at greater risk of sunburn injury.
-Mild and uncomplicated cases of sunburn usually result in minor skin redness and irritation
-Initially, your skin turns red about 2-6 hours after exposure and feels irritated. The peak effects are noted at 12-24 hours.
-More severe cases (sun poisoning), are complicated by severe skin burning and blistering, massive fluid loss (dehydration),electrolyte imbalance, and infection.


-When to seek medical treatment:
     -Severe pain
     -Severe blistering 
     -Headache 
     -Confusion 
     -Nausea or vomiting 
     -Fainting 


-Self Care at home:
     -Medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen are useful, especially when started early. 


     -For mild sunburn, cool compresses with equal parts of milk and water may suffice. You may also use cold   
     compresses with Burow solution. You can buy this at a drugstore. Dissolve 1 packet in 1 pint of water. Soak 
     gauze or a soft clean cloth in it. Gently wring out the cloth and apply to the sunburned area for 15-20 minutes.
      Change or refresh the cloth and solution every 2-3 hours. 


     -over the counter Aloe is soothing


     -Cool (not ice cold) baths may help. Avoid bath salts, oils, and perfumes because these may produce    
     sensitivity reactions. Avoid scrubbing the skin or shaving the skin. Use soft towels to gently dry yourself.
      Don't rub. Use a light, fragrance-free skin moisturizer. 


     -Avoid lotions that contain topical anesthetic medications because you can become sensitized and then 
     allergic to that medicine. 


     -Obviously, stay out of the sun while you are sunburned.


-Prevention

  

     The best prevention is to avoid the sun. This is often not practical or desired many times. 

     -Other, more practical strategies include wearing wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants. 

     -If this is not possible, a variety of sun-blocking agents are available for use. Some are just for the lips and face. Others are for more general-purpose use. Pay attention to the sun protection factor (SPF) and whether or not PABA is in the product. PABA should be avoided in children younger than 6 months because it can cause skin irritation.

     -The higher the SPF number, the more protection the sun-blocking agent may have. SPF is actually a ratio of the time it takes to produce a skin reaction on protected and unprotected skin. Thus, a 30 SPF sunscreen would in theory allow you to be exposed 30 times longer than with no sunscreen.However, this is usually not true in practice. 

     -People seldom apply enough sunscreen or rarely reapply it. Sunscreen should be applied in generous amounts in layers and reapplied after being exposed. Activities such as sweating and swimming degrade its effectiveness. Sunscreens are not waterproof. The US Food and Drug Administration is banning what it calls misleading labeling on sunscreens. The use of the words sunblock, waterproof, and all day protection will no longer be used

     -Certain drugs can sensitize the skin to radiation injury. If you take them, avoid the sun. Your doctor or           pharmacist can further advise you about your medications and sun sensitivity. 

     -Mind-altering drugs (including alcohol) can diminish your awareness of getting sunburned and should be avoided. 

     -Short and sequential exposure times can lead to skin pigment changes, which most of us call tanning. This can lead to increased sun tolerance but can also lead to long-term problems such as skin cancer. Getting a tan is often a primary reason people go out in the sun with maximum skin exposed in the first place.

     - Sunburn is most common in children and younger adults. 

     -Avoid tanning beds entirely. Most tanning parlors make safety claims that the US Food and Drug Administration
considers false.

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