Summer is at its peak, and it’s time to keep your skin protected against the harmful UV rays. With a lot of time outdoors, summer months are full of exposure to the sun. Though it is a natural way to get vitamin D, too much unprotected exposure is bad for your skin health.
Sunburn is a common issue when skin is exposed too long to the sun and can result in redness, pain, peeling, etc. If you have a mild sunburn, then it goes away after some sometime, though if you get it time and again, then it can lead to skin cancer, wrinkles, etc. People with clear skin, and usually children, get exposed to the sun quickly and get sunburn.
It’s not necessary that you are at risk of getting sunburn only on sunny days; even if the sky is full of clouds, harmful ultraviolet rays are still there. All you need to do is to follow some simple steps if you want to stay protected, like applying sunscreen, wearing sunglasses, staying indoors during peak hours, etc.
What Causes Sunburn?
During the summer season, it feels like the sun is just right above you. When your skin is exposed to the sun for a long time, the upper layer of your skin gets damaged. If you spend a lot of time without sun protection, then you are more likely to get sun protection. UV rays are of two types: one that causes sunburn at the outer layer and the other that penetrates deep inside the skin, causing aging. It will be shocking to know that even if you spend 15 minutes outside in the summer, then your skin starts getting damaged. That is why it is important to protect your skin well before heading out.
Signs And Symptoms
Sunburn occurs after you have spent some time outdoors. The first signs are red and sore skin, which may feel itchy and tight after some time. After some time, as the burn will start getting worse, the skin will peel off, swell, or blisters will form. If the condition is severe, then it can be followed by nausea, fever, etc. All this means that your body is reacting to the damage caused by sunburn. Blisters should never be popped, and proper time should be given so that they heal on their own. In addition to that, if you feel that symptoms are severe and are not healing on their own, then you should see a dermatologist.
Prevention Tips
Rightly said, prevention is better than cure. All you need to do is to follow some easy tips, and you will stay protected. Before stepping out, it is very important that you apply a sunscreen that suits your skin type of SPF 30 and above. Make sure that you reapply it every 2 hours and also after any type of physical activity. Wear protective clothing such as full-sleeved tops and scarves to avoid contact between the sun and your skin. When the sun’s rays are the strongest, especially during the noon time, try to stay indoors as much as possible. If you follow these simple steps, you can stay protected, and there will be no long-term damage to your skin.
So, it’s vital to note that sunburn is not just red skin; it is a lot more than that in the long run. If proper care is not taken, it can damage your skin to such an extent that recovery becomes impossible. Take the right amount of vitamin D, but keep your skin protected too.
