Sunburn

Have you ever thought, “I’m just going out in the sun for a little while—I don’t need to put on sunscreen”? And before you know it, you’ve got a sunburn. A sunburn occurs when the skin becomes inflamed because it has been exposed to too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Affected areas of skin become red, feel hot, may be slightly swollen, and can feel tight, painful, itchy, and burning; in cases of severe sunburn, blisters form on the skin. Headaches, fever, nausea with vomiting, and other symptoms may also occur. Prolonged sun exposure—and sunburns in particular—increase the risk of developing skin cancer. Those affected should get out of the sun at the first signs of sunburn. Cooling the skin is often sufficient to treat mild sunburn; for more severe cases, lotions that soothe the skin or reduce inflammation, as well as anti-inflammatory medications, are recommended. If blisters form on the skin or severe symptoms (e.g., fever, nausea) occur, professional medical care is necessary—in some cases, even hospitalization. The best approach is to take preventive measures by using a good sunscreen. And if you do get sunburned: Stop by—we’d be happy to advise you!