What Is Sunburn?
Sunburn is a skin reaction that can happen when one is exposed to the sun for too long. It happens because of cell damage to the outer skin layer by the harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. It starts to show on the skin after a few hours from exposure to the sun and is at its worst for the next few days. The skin starts to repair itself after three to five days from exposure.
Are There Different Types of Sunburn?
Yes, sunburns are categorized into three, based on the extent and severity of skin damage.
First Degree Sunburn
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Damage to the skin's outer layer.
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Heals on its own in a few days up to a week.
Second Degree Sunburn
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Damage to the skin's inner layer.
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It can cause the skin to blister.
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Heals in weeks.
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Need medical treatment.
Third Degree Sunburn
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These are very rare cases.
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Severe damage to the skin's deeper layer.
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It may damage nerve endings.
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May need emergency medical treatment.
Who Is at Risk From Sunburns?
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Individuals on medications that may cause skin sensitivity (for example, Chlorpromazine).
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Individuals with skin diseases (for example, psoriasis).
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Individuals who spend a lot of time outdoors at peak hours without appropriate sun protection.
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Individuals with freckles, blue eyes, red hair, or blonde hair.
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Individuals who are sensitive to sunlight (photosensitive).
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Individuals with a history of sunburn.
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Individuals with skin cancer.
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Individuals who spend more time at high altitudes or closer to the equator.
What Causes Sunburn?
The sun emits ultraviolet radiation (UV radiation) of three types:
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UVA - The most common and most dangerous radiation as it can penetrate deep into the layers of skin.
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UVB - This causes lesser harm than UVA as it only penetrates the skin's outer layer, and most of this radiation is stopped by the earth's ozone layer.
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UVC - All of this is stopped by the earth's ozone layer, and artificial sources like a laser are the only way to get exposure.
When exposed to the UVA or UVB radiation of the sun for a prolonged period, especially without any form of sun protection, it increases blood flow in the affected area, thereby causing skin inflammation - sunburn.
What Are Sunburn Symptoms?
Symptoms caused by sunburn are:
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Swelling and redness of the skin.
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Pain, itching, and discomfort in the area exposed to the sun.
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Skin feels warm and tender to the touch.
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Blistering of the skin.
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Peeling of the affected skin after a few days.
Other symptoms associated with sunburn are headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, fatigue, and painful eyes. Again, dehydration could bring this on the following overexposure to the sun.
What Is Sunburn Peeling?
Sunburn peeling is a sign that the sun's rays damage the skin, and the body reacts to it by shedding dead skin cells. It is a natural defense response of the body to reveal the healthy skin underneath. It usually starts three days after sun exposure and takes weeks to heal completely. Skin peeling can also occur due to other causes (less common):
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Exfoliative dermatitis (a rare skin disease).
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Viral, bacterial, or fungal infection.
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Sensitive to ingredients of skin products (for example, retinol, vitamin c).
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Allergic reaction.
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Cancer or post-chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
How to Treat Sunburn Peeling?
There is no treatment per se for sunburnt skin. However, few steps can be taken to ease the discomfort, pain, and swelling, if any.
For Mild Burns:
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The first and foremost step towards healing from sunburn is to get out of the sun the moment one notices the symptoms of sunburn to prevent further damage to the affected areas of the skin.
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Hydrate oneself to avoid dehydration.
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Apply a cool soft cloth on the affected area to soothe the area. One can do this several times a day. A cool water bath also helps.
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Medications like Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and Acetaminophen can be taken to ease the pain.
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Topical application of pain-relieving gels can also be used.
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Aloe vera gel is excellent for sunburn because it reduces inflammation, stimulates collagen production for healing, and moisturizes the skin.
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Topical application of one percent of Hydrocortisone gel or cream can also help to heal.
For Moderate Burns
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If blisters are seen, one should not try to break them as they will prolong the skin's healing and increase the chances of infection.
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Avoid itching the skin, as it can cause the blisters to rupture.
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Oral antihistamine drugs such as Diphenhydramine can help relieve the itching sensation.
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Wear loose clothing.
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Once the skin begins to heal at the dermal layer (below the outer layer), the damaged top layer starts to peel off. At this time, one must avoid getting sun exposure to the sun.
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Avoid going outdoors, moisturize well before stepping outdoors, and use appropriate spectrum sunscreen is advised.
For Severe Burns
Self-care may not always heal sunburns. In the following instances, one must seek medical treatment at the earliest:
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Burns cover many areas of the body.
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Burns, along with symptoms of fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting.
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Infected burns.
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Skin does not heal in a few days.
How to Prevent Sunburn Peeling?
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The simplest way to prevent sunburn peeling is to avoid prolonged sun exposure.
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Avoid getting out at the peak hours of sunlight (10 am to 4 pm), as the radiation from the sun is the strongest during these hours of the day.
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Exposure to stronger radiation, even for less time when outdoors during mid-day, increases the chances of getting a sunburn.
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When living in higher altitudes, the chances of sunburn increase compared to those in lower altitudes.
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It is advised to use sunscreen on a cloudy day, even though the radiation intensity is much lesser.
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Wear protective clothing such as long sleeves and long pants, and wear hats and sunglasses when exposed to the sun.
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Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that covers both UVA and UVB radiations with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher (a measure of how much radiation can cause skin burn on protected skin relative to the radiation that can cause skin burn on unprotected skin).
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Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before stepping outside.
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Reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially if swimming or sweating excessively.
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Sunscreens also help minimize signs of aging and the risk of skin cancer.
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Use a moisturizer with added sunscreen benefits.
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Be aware of medication that can cause skin sensitivity.
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Certain ingredients in medications can cause chemical changes to the skin for some individuals, which makes their skin more sensitive to sunlight.
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Such individuals may get sunburned even without prolonged exposure to the sun.
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The list of medications that can cause this kind of change is many (antihistamines, antidepressants, etc.). As every individual reacts differently to the medication, it is not necessary that the reaction would occur every time the medication is consumed.
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When using a new product, one should do a patch test to test the presence of any allergic component that can cause skin sensitivity.
Conclusion
Skin peeling, the body's natural defense mechanism, does not have to be one's worst nightmare. Once the skin sheds off the dead cells, it is just a matter of time before it heals to its perfect healthy form.
