With the summer days upon us in the Northeast Regions of the U.S., many of us will enjoy spending time on our favorite beach, pool or other outdoor activities. myDoc Urgent Care wishes everyone a joyful summer and would like to share a few thoughts about sunburn.
More than one-third of adults and nearly 70% of children admit they’ve gotten sunburned within the past year, according to the CDC.
Sunburn is a form of radiation burn that affects living tissue, such as skin, that results from an overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, commonly from the sun. Exposure of the skin to lesser amounts of UV radiation will often produce a suntan. An excess of UV radiation can be life-threatening in extreme cases.
COMMON SYMPTOMS:
- Red or Reddish skin that is hot to the touch
- Pain
- General Fatigue
- Mild Dizziness
Other symptoms can include edema, itching, peeling skin, rash, nausea, fever, chills, and syncope.
PREVENTION:
- Sunscreen: minimum of SPF 30, reapply every 2 hours
- Avoid direct sun exposure from 10am to 4pm (in summer)
- Proper clothing
TREATMENT:
Sunburn treatment is designed to attack the burn on two fronts – relieving reddened or inflamed skin, while easing pain. Please consult with your family physician or myDoc if you suffer sunburn.
