For most of the time that humans have been on the earth, the sun has been regarded as a celestial object of special significance. “Many ancient cultures worshiped the sun, and many more recognized its significance in the cycle of life,” notes Randolph H. Levine, the man who wrote The Sun as Seen from the Space.
The sun warms you, relaxes you, and brightens your mood. But get too much, and you could end up with an agonizing sunburn. Sunburn is the result of overexposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. The effects could range from painful skin with unsightly peeling, to blisters, and even chills and weakness. Pigmentation often determines the amount of UVB skin can take, but even naturally tanned Filipinos could suffer adverse consequences.
Very bad sunburns can send a person into shock, with the most common symptoms beings low blood pressure, fainting, and profound weakness.
With a first-degree sunburn, the skin turns bright red. There is a burning sensation, pain, itchiness and peeling.
Second-degree sunburn is rare and normally happens to Westerners like Americans who are exposed for too long under the tropic sun. In some instances, there may be symptoms of sunstroke: Dizziness, nausea, vomiting; fever; and weakness. The skin turns black or white, usually with no pain.
While most inflammation caused by sunburn subsides with time, it does have long-term effects. Damage from burning is cumulative. Repeated overexposure to the sun erodes elastic fibers in your skin, causing wrinkles. It could even set the stage for skin cancer.
The best – and most obvious – way to prevent sun damage is to stay out of strong, direct sunlight. Clothing and ordinary window glass can filter out damaging rays.
Don’t let those gray clouds fool you. It is still best to seek the shade between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. What if you’re not wearing a watch? Heed the short-shadow rule: When your shadow is shorter than you, the sun is at its most intense.
Before exposure to strong, direct sunlight, you should apply sunscreen, an ointment or cream containing chemicals that protect the skin by filtering out sun’s rays. It is best to get sunscreen that is water resistant. Still, it pays to reapply sunscreen regularly during prolonged swimming activities. One common effective type of sunscreen contains para aminobenzoic acid (Paba).
Tip: Paba takes 30 to 45 minutes to bind strongly to the skin, so swimming or sweating soon after applying it will wash out protection. Occasionally, sunscreens containing Paba irritate the skin, and they can cause allergic reactions in some people.
Another type of sunscreen contains the chemical benzophenone. Many sunscreens contain both Paba and benzophenone or other chemicals; these combinations provide protection from a broader type of UVB rays.
Other sunscreens contain physical barriers such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide; these thick, white ointments block sunlight from the skin and can be used on small, sensitive areas, such as the nose and lips.
Some people are more prone to sunburn than others. But no one is completely immune to the sun’s savagery.
Don’t make the same mistake twice. After you’ve gotten burned, it takes three to six months for your skin to return to normal. When you get a sunburn and the top layer of your skin peels off, the newly exposed skin is more sensitive than ever. That means you’ll burn even faster next time.
Okay, what if you got sunburned? What should you do? The old standby aspirin can help relieve the pain, itching, and swelling of a mild to moderate burn. “Take two tablets every four hours,” says University of Nebraska dermatologist Rodney Baster. “If your stomach can tolerate it, you might try three or four tablets of ibuprofen every eight hours.”
While you have sunburn, stay away from highly fragrant baths, soaps, colognes, and perfumes, according to Dr. Thomas Gossel, professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Ohio Northern University College of Pharmacy. “They may be too drying and irritating to your already parched skin. Stick with mild soaps and don’t scrub too hard when you wash,” he says.
Following a burn, the skin is inflamed. Try cooling it down with compresses dipped in any one of the following substances. If desired, you can direct a fan on the sunburned area to heighten cooling:
Cold water: Use either plain water from the faucet or add a few ice cubes, says Dr. Michael Schreiber, senior clinical lecturer in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. Dip a cloth into the liquid and lay it over the burn. Repeat every few minutes as the cloth warms. Apply several times a day for a total of 10 to 15 minutes each.
Skim milk: Milk protein is very soothing, says Dr. Schreiber. Mix one cup skim milk with 4 cups water, then add a few ice cubes. Apply compresses for 15 to 20 minutes; repeat every 2 to 4 hours.
Oatmeal: Dr. Frederic Haberman, a clinical instructor of medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, recommends oatmeal water, which soothes the skin. Wrap dry oatmeal in gauze. Run cool water through it. Discard the oatmeal and soak compresses in the liquid. Apply every two to four hours.
Sleeping on a sunburn can be murder, but you need a lot of rest for your body to recover from the burn. So try sprinkling talcum power on your sheets to minimize chaffing and friction, advises Dr. Haberman. A water bed or air mattress might also help you sleep easier.