September 15, 2020
Sunburn is a temporary reaction of normal skin after exposure to sunlight.
Having a light skin color, long-term exposure at noon when the rays are most prominent in summer, and the presence of high altitudes and environments that reflect UV rays such as snow and water increase the risk of developing sunburn and the severity of the burn.
After 4-6 hours of exposure, first redness occurs on sun-exposed areas, the redness gradually intensifies within 24 hours and regresses within three days. Along with the redness, there may be tenderness, swelling and temperature increase in that area, and a slight weakness may develop.
In severe cases, there may be pain in the area of the rash, water blisters may develop, fever, fatigue, palpitations, nausea, vomiting, headache, and watery eyes, redness may occur.
If simple painkillers are started early in the treatment, the symptoms regress rapidly. Cold application and moisturizers should be used. With the recommendation of the dermatologist, creams containing steroids may be necessary. In severe cases, bed rest and fluid therapy may be used.
In order to protect from sunburn, one should avoid being outside at noon, use sunscreen creams, reapply in cases where the cream is physically removed from the skin, such as sweating, swimming, and showering, and the protective creams should be repeated at intervals of 3 hours during the day. Hats and umbrellas can be used to protect from direct exposure.
