Sunburn and Sun Poisoning

Adult Skin Problems Slideshow Pictures Quiz: Can You Identify These Skin Conditions? Gallery of Skin Problems and Images Collection

Medical Author:

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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• Sunburn Overview
• Sunburn Causes
• Sunburn Symptoms
• Sunburn Pictures
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Sunburn Diagnosis
• Sunburn Treatment
• Sunburn Home Remedies
• Sunburn Medical Treatment
• Sunburn Follow-up
• Sunburn Prevention
• Sunburn Prognosis
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Author and Editor
• Read more on Sunburn from Healthwise
• Sun Safety FAQs

Summer Survival Kit

Medical Author: Melissa Stoppler, MD
Medical Editor: Dennis Lee, MD

If your summer includes relaxing on the beach, lake, or river, a well–planned survival kit can ensure that you have a fun and healthy experience. Don't forget the following items when packing your weekend bag:

1. Sunscreen with adequate protection against both UVA and UVB rays. While sunscreen should be applied at home about a half hour before sun exposure, you'll need to re–apply more when you arrive. Studies show that most people apply far too little sunscreen, and the SPF of any product is reduced when it's applied too thinly. You'll need to reapply sunscreen after swimming or if you perspire a great deal.

2. A watch of some type to recognize how long you've been in the sun. You also need to know when it's time to avoid sun exposure ? from 10 am to 2 pm, when the sun's rays are most intense.

3. A hat with a wide brim. This is even more effective than sunscreen in shielding the sensitive skin on the face and scalp from damaging UV radiation.

Read the rest of the items in our Summer Survival Kit »

Sunburn Overview

Sunburn results from too much sun or sun-equivalent exposure. Almost everyone has been sunburned or will become sunburned at some time. Anyone who visits a beach, goes fishing, works in the yard, or simply is out in the sun can get sunburned. Improper tanning bed use is also a source of sunburn. Although seldom fatal, severe sunburn or sun poisoning can be disabling and cause quite a bit of discomfort.

One or more blistering sunburns in childhood or adolescence more than double a person's chances of developing melanoma later in life, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Morever, a person's risk for melanoma doubles if he or she has had more than five sunburns at any age.

Sunburn Causes

Sunburn is literally a burn on the skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This burn causes inflammation of the skin. Injury from sunburn can begin within 30 minutes of exposure.

• UVA and UVB refer to different wavelengths in the light spectrum. UVB is more damaging to the skin, especially for risk of skin cancer. Both UVA and UVB are responsible for photoaging (premature aging of the skin and wrinkles) and sunburn. Tanning beds produce both UVA and UVB rays.
• Individuals who travel to the southern United States, regions close to the equator, and places at high altitudes carry a higher risk for sunburn.
• Light-skinned and fair-haired people are at greater risk of sunburn.
• Prior recent sun exposure and prior skin injury are risks for sunburn, even in limited exposure to the sun. Normal limited exposure to UV radiation produces beneficial vitamin D in the skin.