Sunburn is one of the most common, painful summer afflictions. It is recommended that initially you should start out with fifteen minutes of sun exposure, and depending upon the reaction the first day, increase thirty to forty-five minutes per day over a two week period. Once a person can tolerate an hour a day without redness, then extended times can probably be tolerated without burning. Sunburns occur most often between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the beginning of the summer. Exposure to the sun should be avoided during these times. Three Types of Complexions First are the more sun-safe, with melanin-rich skin; they do tan and peel, but not noticeably. Second are easy-tanning, with olive complexions, sometimes called Mediterranean coloring. The third group are sun sensitive and are characterized by fair skin, freckles, light colored eyes, and red or blond hair. People with such complexions may not tan, but will burn easily. Melanin Melanin is a brownish pigment, which gives color and partial sun protection to people. Sun-safe people have large amounts. Easy-tanner a lesser amount and sun-senitive people the least. However, melanin does not offer complete protection. Sunlight causes the already present melanin to darken and stimulates more melanin to migrate to the surface, which takes a couple of weeks. Too much sun will cause a burn and if it peels, melanin will be lost. Myths It is a mistaken notion that many health benefits can be derived from the sun's rays. One of the few beneficial effects is the formation of Vitamin D and this may be obtained from other means. Few people realize today's repeated, excessive exposure will lead to irreversible, degenerative skin changes due to cumulative effects. Years of over-exposure can lead to saggy, leathery, wrinkled, blotchy skin and increased incidence of skin cancer, especially among fair-skinned people. Protective preparations are of two types: 1. sunscreens which absorb light, such as PABA, and PABA allows melanin formation without sunburn. PABA gives a limited amount of continuing protection, even after swimming or bathing; however, it will eventually wash off and the PABA should be reapplied. It is staining, especially to cotton material. When used correctly it offers excellent protection. A sunscreen with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 15 or more should be used. Sunshades are opaque chemicals which scatter light, such as zinc oxide. They may need to be applied every one to two hours. These are easily removable, greasy in nature, and generally unacceptable cosmetically, though some companies are beginning to make zinc oxide in fashion colors to coordinate with your bathing suit. They are useful for small areas, such as lips, nose and top of the head, for those with a receding hair line. Sunburn is a self-limited condition. Discomfort is treated with an analgesic, such as aspirin. A cold shower, wet compresses, or cold creams may be helpful. Commercial preparations containing local anesthetics, such as benzocaine could result in complications and should be avoided in severe widespread sunburn. Severe pain, nausea, vomiting, swelling and blistering may need to be treated by medical personnel. Remember the main cause of skin cancer is over exposure to sunlight and skin cancer is becoming more common among younger people. People who have had severe blistering sunburns as children or teens are more likely to develop a serious form of skin cancer, melanoma. Young people who try to catch up on their tans by exposing themselves to long hours of sunlight on the weekends are also at risk for developing melanoma. Any questions or concerns? Call Student Health Services at (508) 934-4991 to make an appointment. Top |
