INTRODUCTION — Sunburn results when skin is burned by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, most often after excessive sun exposure. It is common, with nearly 32 percent of adults and between 72 and 83 percent of children and adolescents reporting at least one sunburn during the course of a year.
This topic reviews the symptoms, causes, potential complications, and treatment of sunburn. Prevention of sunburn is discussed separately.
SYMPTOMS — Unlike other types of burns, sunburn is not immediately apparent because redness develops between three and five hours after sun exposure. Common symptoms of sunburn include reddened skin that is hot to the touch and skin pain; more severe sunburns cause swelling and blistering.
Redness peaks approximately 12 to 24 hours after sun exposure and fades over 72 hours.
CAUSES/RISK FACTORS — Normally, the body's protective pigment, melanin, protects the skin from becoming sunburned. If the skin is exposed to excessive UV radiation, it becomes burned. The amount of UV radiation required to burn the skin varies according to the amount of melanin in an individual's skin. In general, people with fair skin and light-colored hair have less melanin and are at higher risk of damage from UV exposure compared to people with darker-colored skin.
In addition, people who live in regions that are closest to the equator and areas of high altitude (eg, mountainous areas) are at higher risk for developing sunburn.
The primary source of UV radiation is the sun, which can cause sunburn in some people in less than 15 minutes. Tanning beds are another source of UV radiation.
Certain medications, such as nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (eg, ibuprofen), quinolone and tetracycline antibiotics (eg, Cipro®, tetracycline), furosemide (Lasix®) and hydrochlorothiazide, psoralens and phenothiazines (eg, compazine), make the skin more sensitive to burning. People taking these medications should avoid the sun and use protective measures to avoid sunburn.
DIAGNOSIS — Sunburn is usually diagnosed based upon a person's memory of sun or tanning bed exposure, symptoms of sunburn, and the appearance of a skin reaction on sun-exposed skin.
COMPLICATIONS — Sunburn is associated with premature aging and wrinkling of the skin as well as skin cancer, including malignant melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. Sun exposure and ultraviolet damage have also been implicated in the development of cataracts. TREATMENT — Treatments for sunburn include measures to relieve skin discomfort. Further sun exposure should be avoided until skin redness and pain resolve. Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen are useful to relieve pain, especially when taken as soon as pain is noticed; the benefit of NSAIDs decreases after 24 hours.
For mild sunburns, cool compresses, aloe-based lotions, and lotions or sprays with a local anesthetic (numbing medication, eg, Solarcaine®, Dermaplast®) are advertised to provide some short-term relief of discomfort. However, clinical studies have not proven a definite benefit from these products. In addition, these treatments do not reduce the long-term risks of sunburn.
WHEN TO SEEK HELP — If sunburn is severe, call a healthcare provider to determine if treatment should be given at home, in the office, or in an emergency department.
Symptoms of a severe sunburn include severe pain and skin blistering. A person with severe sunburn can also have heat stroke or heat exhaustion, which can cause fever, headache, confusion, nausea, vomiting, visual difficulties, and fainting; this should be treated promptly in an emergency department.
Redness peaks approximately 12 to 24 hours after sun exposure and fades over 72 hours.
CAUSES/RISK FACTORS — Normally, the body's protective pigment, melanin, protects the skin from becoming sunburned. If the skin is exposed to excessive UV radiation, it becomes burned. The amount of UV radiation required to burn the skin varies according to the amount of melanin in an individual's skin. In general, people with fair skin and light-colored hair have less melanin and are at higher risk of damage from UV exposure compared to people with darker-colored skin.
In addition, people who live in regions that are closest to the equator and areas of high altitude (eg, mountainous areas) are at higher risk for developing sunburn.
The primary source of UV radiation is the sun, which can cause sunburn in some people in less than 15 minutes. Tanning beds are another source of UV radiation.
Certain medications, such as nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (eg, ibuprofen), quinolone and tetracycline antibiotics (eg, Cipro®, tetracycline), furosemide (Lasix®) and hydrochlorothiazide, psoralens and phenothiazines (eg, compazine), make the skin more sensitive to burning. People taking these medications should avoid the sun and use protective measures to avoid sunburn.
DIAGNOSIS — Sunburn is usually diagnosed based upon a person's memory of sun or tanning bed exposure, symptoms of sunburn, and the appearance of a skin reaction on sun-exposed skin.
COMPLICATIONS — Sunburn is associated with premature aging and wrinkling of the skin as well as skin cancer, including malignant melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. Sun exposure and ultraviolet damage have also been implicated in the development of cataracts. TREATMENT — Treatments for sunburn include measures to relieve skin discomfort. Further sun exposure should be avoided until skin redness and pain resolve. Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen are useful to relieve pain, especially when taken as soon as pain is noticed; the benefit of NSAIDs decreases after 24 hours.
For mild sunburns, cool compresses, aloe-based lotions, and lotions or sprays with a local anesthetic (numbing medication, eg, Solarcaine®, Dermaplast®) are advertised to provide some short-term relief of discomfort. However, clinical studies have not proven a definite benefit from these products. In addition, these treatments do not reduce the long-term risks of sunburn.
WHEN TO SEEK HELP — If sunburn is severe, call a healthcare provider to determine if treatment should be given at home, in the office, or in an emergency department.
Symptoms of a severe sunburn include severe pain and skin blistering. A person with severe sunburn can also have heat stroke or heat exhaustion, which can cause fever, headache, confusion, nausea, vomiting, visual difficulties, and fainting; this should be treated promptly in an emergency department.
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