Despite the sun’s damaging rays, many of us nevertheless expose our skin to them. The CDC reports that more than a third of adults and over 70% of kids had sunburned in the last year. Years of sun exposure can cause premature wrinkles, age spots, and skin cancer.
If you spend too much time on a sun lounger, you can get sunburned.
Symptoms
Sunburn, in contrast to thermal burn, is not immediately noticeable. Symptoms often appear 4 hours after exposure to the sun, intensify in 24-36 hours, and disappear in 3-5 days after the sun has been exposed.
Symptoms may include any of the following:
- Skin that is red, heated, and sensitive
- Skin that is swollen
- Blistering
- Headache
- Fever
- Nausea
- Fatigue
The discomfort of sunburn is at its worst six to forty-eight hours after exposure to the sun. After being exposed to the sun for 3-8 days, skin peeling normally occurs.
Simple sun protection methods
Cover your head with a hat
Hats with brims that are at least three inches in diameter are an efficient technique to reduce the amount of UV radiation that reaches your face. Some regions of your face that may be exposed to the sun, such as your ears, nose, and neck, may not be protected by baseball caps or other hats with a smaller brim.t
Use sunglass
Having a good pair of sunglasses is essential for protecting your eyes and the skin surrounding them from the sun. It’s difficult to tell how effective a pair of sunglasses will protect you from the sun based on the color of the lenses alone. Search instead for sunglasses that claim to prevent 99 percent or 100 percent of ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B radiation.
During peak hours stay out of the sun
The UV rays of the sun are at their most intense between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you must be outside at that time of day, try to stay in the shade if at all possible—or avoid being outside entirely if at all possible.
Find as much shade as you can
Getting outside while remaining in the shade may be a terrific way to enjoy the fresh air while reducing your UV exposure. Whether you seek shade under a tree or pitch a tent on the beach, it’s critical to find some protection from the sun, especially during the hottest hours of the day. This is especially true for newborns, who should be protected from any extra sun exposure while still growing. Strollers, hats, and umbrellas should always be used to keep babies less than six months from being overheated in the sun
Safety clothing
When stepping outside, cover up as much of your skin as possible. The UPF of all clothes indicates how much of the sun’s UV radiation may pass through it. High UPF materials are used in sun protection garments.
Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and a hat to keep the sun off you. The greatest hats cover the top of the head and the ears where most people neglect to apply sunscreen.
Use sunscreen
Sunscreens are given an SPF rating based on their ability to block UV radiation. Greater protection means more numbers. Even on chilly or partly overcast days, wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15.
Broad-spectrum implies the sunscreen blocks both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin and cause aging and skin cancer. UVB rays induce sunburn on the skin’s surface.
Remember to apply a strong coating of sunscreen to all exposed skin. Unreachable areas like
Sunburn relief
Even though we take precautions to protect our skin, sunburns can occur. To help your skin heal, address sunburn as soon as you see it. American Academy of Dermatology treatments for sunburns and stinging skin.
- Bathe or shower often to help ease discomfort. Dry your skin, but leave a little water on it. Then apply a moisturizer to assist retain moisture in your skin.
- Soothe your skin with aloe vera or soy moisturizer. To relieve further discomfort, over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams
- Reduce swelling, soreness, redness, and discomfort with ibuprofen or aspirin.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
- Let severe sunburn blisters heal naturally (don’t pop them). The blistering of second-degree burns can lead to infection.
- Allow your skin to recover until the sunburn has gone. Cover up your sunburn. Delay more sun exposure until your skin has healed.
If you have a serious sunburn, see your doctor ensure correct treatment and prevention of infection.