Sunburn
is damage of the skin by excessive exposure to the sun’s rays. The period of exposure might be quite short but other factors come into play. These include the geographical location, the time of the day, the time of the year, whether or not the person is accustomed to sun exposure and what skin type he or she may have. The fair skinned, red haired person is most at risk, so are some people who take regular medications, a number of which cause photosensitivity and lead to increased tendency to burn. Fashion changes, regarding beauty, and as essential as it was for a woman at the end of the Eighteenth century to be as pale as possible, so it was essential for her descendants in the 1970s to have as deep a tan as possible. Fortunately the vogue for sunbathing and tanning is less than it was, not only because of the disappearing ozone layer which makes it easier to get burnt but the realisation that the sun causes premature ageing of the skin. Sunburn, itself, varies from an uncomfortable reddening of the skin to a deep widespread blistering which may put the sufferer into shock.
Prevention is better than cure. It is generally advised not to expose one’s body to the sun’s rays, particularly if unaccustomed to do so, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Bald men should be encouraged to wear hats. For the mild sunburn soothing local preparations are available. The more severe blistering sunburn should be seen by the doctor. There is growing concern about the increase on skin cancer resulting from sun exposure. The most dangerous of these conditions, malignant melanoma, seems to have a direct link to a previous episode, or episodes, of sunburn. These episodes may have been relatively short. Sun blocks are now used widely and are of significantly higher block factors than they were even a few years ago. There is some evidence, unfortunately, to suggest that the use of sun blocks does not necessarily cut down the incidence of malignant melanoma although it reduces burning. Nevertheless, like everything in life, a compromise has to be made, and some sun exposure, in an enjoyable life-style, is inevitable. Sunburn is the indication that there had been too much exposure to sun in too short a time and should be avoided in the future. |
