Sunburn or dermatitis solaris is an inflammation of the skin. Typical signs are a strongly reddened skin, itching and blisters. Sunburn causes long-term damage to the skin, causing it to age more quickly and forming more wrinkles. Likewise, severe sunburn can lead to skin cancer in the long term.
What is sunburn?
Sunburn occurs with excessive sun exposure on naked skin, but mostly in fair-skinned people. These people have a shorter skin protection time and lower tolerance to the sun’s rays. Sunburn is also known in medicine as dermatitis solaris or light dermatosis. In this case, sunburn occurs when the skin is burned by the ultraviolet radiation of the sun. Sunburn can be divided into first and second degree burns. Sunburn causes lasting and irreversible damage to the skin, leading to inflammation and cell damage, which can potentially lead to skin cancer.
Causes
The causes of sunburn are well known. Too long and too strong sun exposure or sun exposure to the skin causes sunburn to occur. Here, the ultraviolet rays emanating from the sun are particularly responsible. Although the skin itself has protective mechanisms and can repair inflamed skin on its own, it is not enough to completely protect the skin from the sun if it is exposed to too much UV radiation. The pigments of the skin play a special role in this. The more pigments a person has, the higher his or her natural protection against solar radiation. Therefore, fair-skinned people are particularly at risk of sunburn, whereas Africans can usually have a higher exposure to the sun without getting sunburn. In summary, the following causes of sunburn can be found:
1. too long and intensive unprotected sunbathing
2. insufficient protection of the skin by its own protection (pigments), clothing or sunscreen (sun protection factor)
3. increased exposure to the sun through water and snow (e.g. when sailing or skiing)
4. indirect sun radiation in the shade due to reflection (e.g. under a sunshade at the beach)
5. some medications, such as antibiotics and essential oils, can cause increased sensitivity to light
Symptoms, complaints and signs
The first signs of sunburn are often overlooked or not even thought possible because it was not expected. All it takes is an unusual prolonged stay in nature in the sunshine during a hike or a bike ride. Suddenly it is noticed that the skin is red and taut, although one has not really sunbathed. It is enough to hold out the arm in the car with the window open, and suddenly the skin tightens. Depending on the type of skin, the reaction is correspondingly severe. If the reddening of the skin is overlooked as the first sign when sunbathing, the skin can be burned, the skin swells and becomes hot. Usually, and depending on the skin condition, the first signs can be seen after about four to six hours. The symptoms are strongest after about 12 to 24 hours. Then the pain begins, which is very unpleasant with sunburn. Touching burned areas of the skin is very painful. If the sunburn progresses, the skin blisters and hurts even without being touched. When the skin then peels off and the burned areas begin to itch, the healing process begins. If large areas of skin are burned, nausea, vomiting and fever may occur. Headaches and circulatory problems accompany extensive sunburn.
Course
The course of sunburn develops already from an increased exposure to the sun. Nevertheless, the typical symptoms are seen and felt only later, something 6 to 8 hours. The peak of sunburn is reached after about 24 hours. The duration of a complete recovery depends on the degree of burn. As a rule, however, sunburn lasts up to two weeks. Typical complaints and symptoms or complications are mainly a strongly reddened skin, which is painful to pressure and touch. In the case of severe sunburn, i.e. second-degree burn, blisters or blisters then appear, which may be filled with sweat or body fluid. This form of sunburn should be examined and treated by a physician. It is not uncommon for depigmented scars to remain permanently.Long-term risks and complications of sunburns are skin tumors or skin cancer. Mostly, however, a melanoma or basal cell carcinoma develops only after years. In addition, sunburn, as well as any form of strong sun exposure, accelerates the aging of the skin. People who sunbathe a lot or use the solarium get old-looking, leathery skin with wrinkles.
Complications
Sunburn usually heals within a few days without complications. The pain on the skin can result in sleep disturbances and cause limitations in the patient’s mobility. Physical contact and wearing clothing are associated with pain and result in a short-term decrease in quality of life. As the pain subsides, the limitations also disappear. Sunburn may be accompanied by fever, chills, headache, or visual disturbances. In severe cases, sunburn results in heat stroke, which is a medical emergency and must be treated immediately. Additional irritation of the skin, such as scratching or blistering, can result in sores and scars. Severe sunburn can cause burns on the skin or swelling. In the long term, sunburns increase the risk of skin tumors and skin cancer with melanoma or basal cell carcinoma. In particular, repeated sunburns before the age of 20 increase the risk of late effects. The effect is cumulative. Skin diseases and premature skin aging also occur as a result of sunburns. Skin aging manifests itself, for example, in leathery skin, wrinkles or spots. Chronic hypersensitivity of the skin may also occur with permanent damage.
When should you go to the doctor?
In most cases, a sunburn does not require a doctor. For minor burns, apply cold water, cooling compresses or skin care products to the skin. Showering under cool running water is especially helpful in providing relief from discomfort. Applying special creams and avoiding further exposure to the sun are advised for improvement. If the symptoms are relieved within a few hours, the self-help measures are usually sufficient. Within a few days, the sunburn gradually subsides until freedom from symptoms is achieved a short time later. If the consequences of the burns from direct exposure to the sun continue to increase, if severe pain occurs, or if the affected person is unable to move without discomfort or to assume a resting position, a doctor should be consulted. Children who scream incessantly, cry or show behavioral abnormalities must be presented to a physician. If an infant or child’s skin is very red, help is needed. Burns should be examined to assess the extent of the sunburn. Swelling, blistering of the skin, or irregularity of touch should be examined by a physician as soon as it causes severe impairment in the performance of daily tasks.
Treatment and therapy
Treatment of sunburn, if not prevented, should be done as soon as possible to minimize long-term damage. Nevertheless, it should be noted here that every sunburn is “burned” into the “memory” of the skin. Some consequences, such as skin cancer, are not apparent until years later. The therapy of sunburn should depend on the degree of the burn. The first thing to do, of course, is to avoid any further exposure to the sun and to put on clothing and headgear. Likewise, shady places should be sought. Moist and cool compresses, as well as moisturizing lotions help to relieve the physical discomfort. Medications with the active ingredients paracetamol or acetylsalicylic acid can help against severe pain. Furthermore, plenty of water should be drunk. If the sunburn is very severe, a dermatologist or family doctor should be consulted. In rare cases, inpatient treatments are also necessary.
Aftercare
The frequent occurrence of sunburn can lead to changes in the pigmentation of the skin and even skin cancer. Therefore, as aftercare of an already treated sunburn, the most important thing is not to allow further burns to occur. Because of this, the measures for aftercare and prevention are similar. It is important to avoid sunbathing at midday.At this time, the sun’s rays are strongest and can burn and permanently damage the skin. Basically, especially in summer, care should be taken to use appropriate sun protection such as sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15 and UV impermeable clothing. A hat should be worn to protect the scalp. To avoid later damage to the skin, the solarium should also be visited only rarely or not at all. As a general rule, a healthy diet is important for maintaining the function of the skin. The intake of a sufficient amount of vitamins as well as the supply of water are indispensable here. In addition to these measures, regular visits to the dermatologist are also very important. Once a year, the dermatologist should be consulted for a skin cancer screening. In case of changes in the skin, this should be visited immediately for clarification.
What you can do yourself
Sunburn can be alleviated very well by self-help in many cases. The most important factor in this context is that the affected person should immediately get out of the sun, so as not to further expose his stressed skin to the strain. Cooling the reddened and overheated skin often brings rapid relief. For this purpose, however, ice cubes must not be placed purely on the skin. Wet cloths cool clearly more gently. There are a lot of home remedies that can be used for sunburn with good effect. These include, above all, yogurt or cottage cheese packs. They have a healing effect and are also able to pleasantly cool the reddened areas of the skin. Aloe vera is also a moisturizer in a high degree. It can be used as a plant or gel. In general, the following applies in this context: If gels or ointments are used, care should be taken to ensure that they are fat-free. It is absolutely necessary to refrain from pricking blisters or removing slowly loosening skin remnants because of the risk of infection and delaying the raining of the skin. Those who have a sunburn not infrequently also have sunstroke or at least a significant lack of fluids. This can be ideally balanced with water and herbal teas. However, those affected should better refrain from alcohol and also coffee due to the counterproductive effect.
