Sunburn and Skin Cancer: Understanding the Connection

Introduction:

We know staying in the sun for a long time can damage our skin. But sunrays can do different types of harm to our skin. What are they? Here they are: sunburn, sunspots, and even skin cancer. Are you curious to know how UV (ultraviolet) rays from the sun do so much damage to our skin? Then, let us discuss how the sun's rays impact our skin in detail.

What Are Sunburn and Skin Cancer?

It is sunburn if you experience reddening and pain in the skin after staying in the sun for a long time. You need not spend the whole day getting sunburned; it can appear in your daily routines, like failure to use sunscreen with sun protection factor, taking a short walk, and gardening work. One can reduce the risk of sunburn by protecting the skin from sun exposure.

Skin cancer occurs when our skin cells fail to follow the routine. Generally, as our skin cells grow old, they die and get replaced by new cells. Did you know that you can get skin cancer from sun exposure? Yes, the new cells generate swiftly in case of disturbances like sun exposure. This leads to the formation of growths, which can either be benign or malignant.

What Causes Sunburn and Skin Cancer?

Are you the one who likes to get sunshine? Then, you are exposing yourself to UV (ultraviolet) rays, which can cause sunburn. UV rays include both UVA and UVB. Artificial light sources like tanning beds and sunlamps are also UV sources. UVA can enter the inner layers of skin, causing skin damage, whereas UVB damages the superficial layer of skin. UV light damages skin cells, making our immune system active. This, in turn, increases the blood flow, causing redness and sunburn.

Skin cancer occurs when people are overexposed to sunlight. The presence of sunburn increases their risk of developing skin cancer, showing the link between sunburn and skin cancer. UV rays cause skin damage by affecting the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) of the skin cells, causing the cells to grow abnormally and disorganized, forming clusters of cells.

What Are the Symptoms of Sunburn and Skin Cancer?

Do you know how to differentiate between sunburn and skin cancer? If not, read below the different signs and symptoms of both conditions.

Sunburn symptoms include the following:

• Red or inflamed skin.

• Pain.

• Swelling.

• Hot to the touch.

• Nausea, vomiting, fever, tiredness, and headache may occur if you experience severe sunburn.

Skin cancer symptoms include the following:

• You may have a mole that changes its color, size, or shape.

• You have a sore that bleeds and has not healed for a long time.

• Also, if you notice any new bumps or scabs.

• If you see a rough patch of skin on any sun-exposed areas.

• If you develop any itchy bumps.

• Or you may see any wart-like growth on your skin.

Where Do Sunburn and Skin Cancer Occur?

Sunburn usually occurs in areas exposed to sunlight, including earlobes, scalp, lips, face, neck, shoulders, arms, and legs. Skin cancer also occurs in these regions, but it can also occur in other places.

How Does the Sunburn Change My Skin?

When you develop sunburn, it can cause short-term and long-term skin changes. Sunburn risks include reddening and tenderness in the skin. Also, long-term changes include premature aging and, most importantly, skin cancer.

Based on the damage or changes in the skin, sunburn is categorized into three types, namely first-, second-, and third-degree sunburns.

1. In the first-degree sunburn, you will see changes in the top layer of the skin.

2. Second-degree sunburn affects the second layer of skin and takes a few weeks to heal.

3. In third-degree burns, the damage will be severe, affecting all the skin layers and damaging the nerve endings. This requires medical treatment.

What Is the Connection Between Sunburn and the Onset of Skin Cancer?

When you are exposed to sunlight for a long time, it causes sunburn. As a result, the blood vessels under your skin dilate, causing redness, inflammation, pain, and sometimes blisters. This activates your immune system to fix the damage. Thus, some skin cells are restored, and some cells undergo a mutation that cannot be repaired. This mutation causes abnormal cells to form and grow disorganizedly, resulting in cancer.

Who Is at Risk for Skin Cancer?

Anyone can get skin cancer, but you are at increased risk if you have the following:

• If you spend more time in sunlight.

• If you have a history of sunburns.

• If you have had any kind of skin cancer earlier.

• If you have a family history of skin cancer.

• If you use tanning beds.

• If you have light-colored eyes and red hair.

How to Diagnose Both Conditions?

Both conditions are diagnosed with a physical examination. Your treating doctor will ask you about your symptoms, sun exposure duration, and sunburn frequency. If the doctor suspects skin cancer while doing a physical examination, he will suggest you undergo a biopsy. The procedure involves removing the tissue sample from the growth and sending it to the laboratory, where the pathologist will examine the sample and help diagnose the condition.

How to Treat Sunburn and Skin Cancer?

Treatment for sunburn helps relieve pain and discomfort. Some steps that you can do at home to treat sunburn include

• Apply cool and damp clothes to the affected skin.

• Apply moisturizer to heal and prevent scarring.

• Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.

• Do not pick the blisters. Let them heal on their own.

• Use antibiotic creams to promote healing.

• Take a bath with cool water.

Skin cancer treatment varies depending on the skin cancer type and its severity.

The various methods of treatment for skin cancer include

• Cryotherapy - Doctors use liquid nitrogen to remove cancer cells.

• Excisional Surgery - This involves the removal of the cancer along with the surrounding healthy skin.

• Radiation - Radiation prevents cancer cells from dividing or eliminates cancer cells.

• Chemotherapy - Chemotherapy is used to kill the cancer cells directly.

• Immunotherapy - This involves using medications that boost your immune cells to destroy cancer cells.

• Photodynamic Therapy - This includes using medication and light rays to destroy cancer cells.

How to Prevent Skin Cancer and Sunburn?

You can prevent both sunburn and skin cancer with the following steps:

• Develop the habit of using sunscreen with high SPF (sun-protection factor) all year round. Reapply every one and a half hours when staying outdoors. You must apply it often when you are engaged in activities like swimming.

• Avoid staying in the sunlight for a long time.

• You must wear clothes that protect your arms and legs from harmful UV rays.

• Wear hats to protect your scalp from sun damage.

• You can also protect your eyes with the help of sunglasses.

• Observe for any changes in your skin at regular intervals.

Conclusion:

Sunburn is a type of skin condition that occurs after sun exposure. Depending on the severity, sunburn is classified as first-, second-, or third-degree sunburn. And most importantly, be aware that sunburns increase your risk of skin cancer. So, protecting your skin with the measures discussed earlier is always better. With proper preventive measures, you can very well protect your skin from any damage that may arise from harmful UV rays.

Key Takeaway From iCliniq:

Sunburn raises your risk of skin cancer. Thus, you must be aware of the steps to protect yourself from sun damage if you are sensitive to sunlight. If you feel you have signs of skin cancer, you can consult our experts at iCliniq for diagnosis and further treatment. Our doctors know the various treatment options available to treat multiple skin conditions. They will guide you in choosing the right treatment option and help you recover.