Pain with sunburn

Synonyms

UV erythema, dermatitis solaris, erythema solarisSunburn is a damage of the skin caused by radiation. More precisely, these are the so-called UV-B rays, which make up a portion of the sunlight. In its characteristics sunburn is similar to 1st or 2nd degree burns.

Depending on the severity and extent of the burn, sunburn is also divided into three degrees. In general, it is characterized by a strong reddening of the skin, accompanied by itching, a feeling of heat and pain. The skin is also swollen and sensitive to pressure. The sunburn usually disappears after a few days with scaling of the skin and without scarring.

Pain from sunburn

Sunburn often causes unpleasant pain and itching. For most people, it belongs in a certain way to the summer. From a medical point of view, sunburn is an acute inflammation of the skin (also called dermatitis solaris).

Very light skin types are particularly frequently affected, whereas darker skin types are less likely to be affected by sunburn. So why does sunburn lead to pain and other unpleasant symptoms such as itching? The skin is damaged by the UV radiation of sunlight if it is exposed to the sun for too long without protection.

The uppermost layer of the skin, which is called the epidermis, is damaged first. This results in the release of so-called inflammatory mediators. These are endogenous substances that are involved in the development of inflammation.

They mediate the inflammation into deeper skin layers (dermis). If the damage is weak, the skin flakes off (hyperkeratosis) and hyperpigmentation occurs (the skin becomes darker). More severe damage leads to blistering and scarring.

In addition, UV radiation causes damage to the genetic material in cells, the DNA. As a result, sunburn also increases the risk of suffering from a malignant skin disease, i.e. cancer, for a long time. Ultimately, these inflammatory reactions in acute sunburn result in limited redness and swelling of the skin, which is extremely painful.

It is accompanied by itching and sometimes blistering. If blistering has occurred, sunburn is equivalent to a second-degree burn. Overall, the pain is always limited to the area of skin that has been irradiated too much and can therefore be localized quite precisely. The symptoms usually begin in about 5 to 8 hours after sunburn and find their maximum about 24 to 36 hours later. If fever, headache and nausea are added, it is most likely sunstroke.