Sunburn Relief

What is sunburn?

A sunburn is a burn to living tissue, such as skin, which is produced by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, commonly from the sun's rays. Usual mild symptoms in humans and other animals include red or reddish skin that is hot to the touch, general fatigue, and mild dizziness. An excess of UV radiation can be life-threatening in extreme cases. Exposure of the skin to lesser amounts of UV radiation will often produce a suntan.

When the suns rays strike the skin, they penetrate through the uppermost layer (the epidermis), which consists largely of dead, old skin cells, to the dermis, the living, growing part of the skin that creates new skin cells.
The young, newly-formed cells are particularly sensitive to sunlight, which, when over-exposed, can dehydrate them, damage the cell walls, leading to disease and even cause severe damage to the DNA of the cell itself, which is one of the recognised starting points of skin cancer. As the heat persists in the skin, it causes further damage, literally "cooking" these new skin cells as they emerge.




What is UV rays?

UV light is radiation energy in the form of invisible light waves. UV light is emitted by the sun and by tanning lamps.

The sun discharges three types of ultraviolet radiation:

ultraviolet A (UV-A),

ultraviolet B (UV-B), and

ultraviolet C (UV-C).

Only UV-A and UV-B rays reach earth. (UV-C does not penetrate the earth's upper atmosphere.)

Although research has long implicated UV-B as the most likely form of UV radiation to damage the skin and cause skin cancer, it is now known that UV-A also can be dangerous. UVB is known to affect the outer layer of skin. UVA is much less intense than UVB, but it is about 50 times more likely than UVB to reach deeper layers of skin to cause sun damage.

Tanning lamps also produce UV-A and/or UV-B. These artificial rays affect the skin in the same way as do UV-A and UV-B from the sun

When is UV high?

UV rays are most intense at noon and the hours immediately before and after (between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.), particularly in the late spring, summer, and early autumn.

UV rays "bounce" off reflective surfaces - including water, sand, and snow. Thus, a skier, swimmer, fisherman, or beachcomber may be bombarded with UV rays from above and below.

How to prevent sunburn ?

In order to prevent sunburn, the amount of UV radiation reaching the skin must be reduced. The strength of sunlight is published in many locations as a UV index. The World Health Organization recommends to limit time in the midday sun (between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.), to watch the UV index, to seek shade, to wear protective clothing and a wide-brim hat, and to use sunscreen. Sunlight is generally strongest when the sun is close to the highest point in the sky.

To know UV Index in your place go to http://www.intellicast.com/


The eyes are also sensitive to sun exposure, and wrap-around sunglasses or glasses that block UV light should also be worn. UV light has been implicated in the development of age-related macular degeneration, pterygium and cataract.] Concentrated clusters of melanin, commonly known as freckles, are often found within the iris.


Symptoms of sunburn :

One of the immediate symptoms of sunburn after exposure are the following:

* First, the skin becomes red, tender and hot.

* Touching or rubbing the skin causes pain.

*Because heat triggers fluid loss, a sunburn victim can also become dehydrated.

*For several days after exposure, the skin may swell, blister, and peel. Some sufferers develop welts or rashes.

*Skin peeling can occur several days later after a sun rash develops and is a sign of healing and rebuilding of skin.


The skin is swollen, very red, and painful blisters may occur. This may indicate a more moderate sunburn (second degree burn). This type of sun rash may take longer to heal.

If the sun burn is severe it needs immediate medical attention.

Home Remedies for mild sunburns :

To prevent further episodes of sunburn use a good quality SPF 30 sunscreen while going outside.

Cool (not ice cold) baths will 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 the body. Don't rub. Use a light, fragrance-free skin moisturizer.

Stay hydrated to avoid dehydration.

Aloe vera gel or aloe-based lotions may soothe irritated skin. These can be found in the drugstore.

If you can get fresh Aloe Vera apply it over the sunburnt place for a while.Also eat fresh Aloevera for 3-4 days in the morning empty stomach.

Apply honey and lime mixture in the sunburnt place and apply gauze over it for 10 - 15 mins then wash it off.

Apply yogurt and honey mixture leave it for 15 mins and wash.

Apply sandalwood paste.

Take cool bath before going to sleep and avoid applying anything on the affected areaa while sleeping ,the skin will need time to repair by itself.

Avoid going outdoor for 3-4 days.Stay out of the sun while you are sunburned.

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

Avoid lotions like calamine ,it might cause allergic reactions.


I hope this information helps,take care of your skin from sun.