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

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.