This article looks at the signs and symptoms of first and second degree sunburn, as well as some treatment options. It also looks at how people can lower their risk of sunburn. A person with first degree sunburn may notice the following skin symptoms, usually about 4 hours after exposure to sunlight:. Other symptoms may also accompany first degree sunburn. These include headaches, raised temperature, fatigue, and nausea. First degree sunburn may take up to a week to heal.
In the meantime, people with sunburn can try the following to help ease the symptoms:. It may take weeks to heal and may need specialist treatment. A person with second degree sunburn may notice the following symptoms:. People with second degree sunburn can follow the same steps to ease their symptoms as those with first degree sunburn.
However, they may need further advice and treatment from a healthcare professional. People with second degree sunburn should contact a doctor if they have skin that is badly blistered and swollen or have symptoms of heatstroke or heat exhaustion. These symptoms include :. Second degree sunburn may take several weeks to heal. Treatment may require specialist burn cream and burn dressings. Occasionally, people with severe sunburn may need hospital treatment, particularly if they also have heatstroke.
Treatment may include :. Children and babies with severe sunburn should always visit a healthcare professional for further advice and treatment. Certain factors increase the risk of sunburn. These include :. Younger people are at high risk. You can also calculate how much ultraviolet UV exposure you are getting by using the shadow rule: A shadow that is longer than you are means UV exposure is low; a shadow that is shorter than you are means the UV exposure is high.
Other ways to protect yourself from the sun include wearing protective clothing, such as:. You should start protecting your child from the sun when he or she is a baby. If you can't avoid being in the sun, use a sunscreen to help protect your skin while you are in the sun. Be sure to read the information on the sunscreen label about the SPF factor listed on the label and how much protection it gives your skin.
Follow the directions on the label for applying the sunscreen so it is most effective in protecting your skin from the sun's ultraviolet rays. Sunscreens labelled "water-resistant" are made to protect people while they are swimming or sweating. The label will say if the sunscreen will protect you for 40 minutes or 80 minutes. Remember that skin that is healing from a sunburn is sensitive to more damage from the sun, so be sure to prevent more sunburn in those areas.
The following tips about sunscreen will help you use it more effectively:. Do not use tanning booths to get a tan. Artificial tanning devices can cause skin damage and increase the risk of skin cancer. If you want your skin to look tan, try a sunless tanning cream or spray that makes your skin look tan.
And keep using sunscreen when you are in the sun. To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment. You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Learn How this information was developed. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. All rights reserved. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Topic Overview Sunlight can help our mental outlook and help us feel healthier. Other problems that can be present along with sunburn include: Heatstroke or other heat-related illnesses from too much sun exposure. Allergic reactions to sun exposure, sunscreen products, or medicines.
Vision problems, such as burning pain, decreased vision, or partial or complete vision loss. Long-term problems include: An increased chance of having skin cancer.
An increase in the number of cold sores. An increase in problems related to a health condition, such as lupus. Cataracts , from not protecting your eyes from direct or indirect sunlight over many years. Cataracts are one of the leading causes of blindness. Skin changes, such as premature wrinkling or brown spots. You may get a more severe sunburn depending on: The time of day. You are more likely to get a sunburn between 11 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon, when the sun's rays are the strongest.
You might think the chance of getting a sunburn on cloudy days is less, but the sun's damaging UV light can pass through clouds. Whether you are near reflective surfaces, such as water, white sand, concrete, snow, and ice. All of these reflect the sun's rays and can cause sunburns.
The season of the year. The position of the sun on summer days can cause a more severe sunburn. It is easy to get sunburned at higher altitudes, because there is less of the earth's atmosphere to block the sunlight.
How close you are to the equator latitude. The closer you are to the equator, the more direct sunlight passes through the atmosphere. The UV index of the day, which shows the risk of getting a sunburn that day. Protect your skin from the sun.
Do not stay in the sun too long. Use sunscreens, and wear clothing that covers your skin. Check Your Symptoms Do you have a sunburn? How old are you? Less than 6 months. Are you male or female? Why do we ask this question?
The medical assessment of symptoms is based on the body parts you have. If you are transgender or non-binary, choose the sex that matches the body parts such as ovaries, testes, prostate, breasts, penis, or vagina you now have in the area where you are having symptoms. If you have some organs of both sexes, you may need to go through this triage tool twice once as "male" and once as "female". This will make sure that the tool asks the right questions for you. Do you think you may have a heat-related illness, like heat exhaustion or heat cramps?
Do you have symptoms of an allergic reaction? Do you have symptoms of heatstroke? Do you think you may be dehydrated? Are the symptoms severe, moderate, or mild? The symptoms in an adult or older child are different than the symptoms in a baby or toddler. Are you having trouble drinking enough to replace the fluids you've lost?
Little sips of fluid usually are not enough. You need to be able to take in and keep down plenty of fluids. Is there any pain? How bad is the pain on a scale of 0 to 10, if 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain you can imagine? Signs of pain in an adult or child are different than signs of pain in a baby or toddler. Are you having eye or vision problems? Has blurred vision or vision loss lasted for more than 30 minutes? Do you have any eye pain? Has the pain lasted for more than 1 full day 24 hours?
Does light make your eyes hurt? Do you have more than a mild fever? A mild fever is common with sunburn. Home treatment usually is all that's needed for a mild fever. Do you have a severe headache or extreme fatigue? Does your baby have a sunburn with blisters? Are there any blisters, bleeding under the skin, or bruising in the sunburned area?
Are you worried about scarring from large blisters? Are there any symptoms of infection? Do you think you may have a fever? Are there red streaks leading away from the area or pus draining from it? Do you have diabetes, a weakened immune system , peripheral arterial disease, or any surgical hardware in the area? Diabetes, immune problems, peripheral arterial disease, or surgical hardware in affected area. Are you taking a medicine that may cause you to sunburn easily?
These include: Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker. Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care sooner. Medicines you take. Certain medicines, such as blood thinners anticoagulants , medicines that suppress the immune system like steroids or chemotherapy, or natural health products can cause symptoms or make them worse.
Recent health events , such as surgery or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them more serious. Your health habits and lifestyle , such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug use, sexual history, and travel. Try Home Treatment You have answered all the questions.
Try home treatment to relieve the symptoms. Call your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have any concerns for example, if symptoms are not getting better as you would expect.
You may need care sooner. Symptoms of infection may include: Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in or around the area. Red streaks leading from the area. Pus draining from the area. A fever. For example: You may feel tired and edgy mild dehydration , or you may feel weak, not alert, and not able to think clearly severe dehydration.
You may pass less urine than usual mild dehydration , or you may not be passing urine at all severe dehydration. They found a lot more CXCL5 in the sunburned skin compared to unburned skin. It was especially high in people who complained the most about pain.
Experimenting further with rats, researchers injected them with pure CXCL5. Their skin became hypersensitive to touch, partly because CXCL5 recruits inflammatory immune cells called neutrophils and macrophages. These cells, in turn, secrete more CXCL5 and other molecules involved in pain stimulation. To see if, by counteracting CXCL5, the pain would subside, researchers injected antibodies against the molecule, and voila!
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