Symptoms
Sunburn manifests itself as an extensive reddening of the skin (erythema), as a 1st degree burn with pain, burning, itching, tightening of the skin and, in severe cases, additionally with skin blisters (transition to a 2nd degree burn). It develops continuously over several hours and reaches a maximum after 12 to 24 hours. The redness may persist for up to two days before healing with desquamation. In some cases, it may also turn into a tan.
Causes
The cause of sunburn is excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, mainly UV-B. UV-A rays, on the other hand, are mainly responsible for skin aging and the development of sun allergy. Both types of radiation damage the skin.
Complications
Acute:
- Heat illnesses such as sunstroke, heat exhaustion and heat stroke (see there), hyperthermia.
- Visual disturbances, snow blindness
Chronic:
- Sunburn and sun exposure are risk factors for the development of black and white skin cancer. Black skin cancer (melanoma) is particularly dangerous.
- Permanent damage to the skin, for example, in the form of increased sensitivity.
- Skin aging and wrinkling
- Visual disturbances
Risk factors
- The tolerance of UV radiation varies from individual to individual and depends on the skin type. For a light skin type, a short stay of 5 to 15 minutes in the sun can already be enough for damage.
- Sun exposure without suitable protection, for example, sunbathing, sports, hiking, vacations and leisure; occupation.
- Snow, water, bright surfaces: Reflection of UV radiation
- In the mountains, the intensity of UV radiation is increased.
- Photosensitivity: the skin can be made more sensitive to the sun by various substances, for example, drugs (eg tetracyclines!, retinoids), certain tea drugs (furanocoumarins) or when coming into contact with certain plants (gardening with fig trees). Severe burns with blistering occur. See also under meadow grass dermatitis.
Differential diagnosis
Sunburn is distinguished from photodermatoses as a normal reaction. These are abnormal reactions to sun exposure such as sun allergy, photosensitivity, solar urticaria and photoallergy.
Prevention
Avoid UV radiation:
- Avoid sun exposure, especially between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Wear protective clothing: headgear with neck protection, long sleeves and pants.
- Wearing sunglasses
- Sunscreen (UV filter) with a protection factor adapted to the skin type. The factor should always be higher than 15.
- A visit to the solarium is in any case not recommended.
- Parasols with bright colors made of dense polyester fabric. Caution: Lateral incident or reflected light is not intercepted by the parasol.
Non-drug treatment
Cooling with water is a first and important measure, for example, with wet compresses or with a shower or bath. Cooling reduces pain and inhibits the extent of inflammation. Ensure adequate fluid intake.
Drug treatment
Skin care products:
- Skin care products cool and nourish the skin and protect it from drying out. O/W emulsions such as hydrolotions, foam sprays or creams are best. As healing progresses, more oily bases may be used. Dexpanthenol and urea bind water and promote skin regeneration.
Wound care:
- When skin blisters form, for example, with a burn plaster or hydrogels.
Painkillers:
- Oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, e.g. diclofenac, ibuprofen for inflammation and pain.
Other active ingredients:
- The evaluation of clinical trials suggests that topical glucocorticoids such as hydrocortisone are insufficient to influence the course of sunburn. Their use is controversial, a therapeutic trial is possible.
- The same applies to local anesthetics and antihistamines. Diclofenac is also used externally as a gel or emgel against sunburn. We have no data on the efficacy of local treatment with NSAIDs, for example, diclofenac gels.It should also be noted that topical NSAIDs can cause phototoxic and photoallergic reactions as an adverse effect.
Therapeutic regimen
1. cooling 2. skin care, several times a day with lotions, foam sprays and creams containing no active ingredients and water Supplementary measures: Possibly other medications for symptom management
