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Sunburn is inflamed, painful skin that feels hot to the touch. It often appears within a few hours of being in the sun too long.
You can get sunburn relief with simple self-care measures such as taking pain relievers and cooling the skin. But it may take days for the sunburn to fade.
Preventing sunburn year-round by wearing sunscreen or using other skin-protection habits is important for everyone. It is especially important when you're outdoors, even on cool o...
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Sunburn symptoms can include:
Sunburn is caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. UV light may be from the sun or artificial sources, such as sunlamps and tanning beds. UVA is the wavelength of light that can penetrate to the deep layers of skin and lead to skin damage over time. UVB is the wavelength of light that penetrates the skin more superficially and causes sunburn.
The UV light damages skin cells. The immune system reacts by increasing blood flow to the affected areas, which causes the inflamed skin (erythema) known as sunburn....
Sunburn treatment doesn't heal your skin, but it can ease pain, swelling and discomfort. If care at home doesn't help or your sunburn is very severe, your health care provider might suggest a prescription corticosteroid cream.
For severe sunburn, your health care provider might admit you to a hospital.
Use these methods to prevent sunburn, even on cool, cloudy or hazy days. Sun exposure on cloudy days is decreased by about 20%. Be extra careful around water, snow, concrete and sand because they reflect the sun's rays. In addition, UV light is more intense at high altitudes.
For informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
© Mayo Clinic