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Although sunburns may look fun, sizzling your skin under the hot summer sun is more harmful than we would like to think. In order to find out what kind of damage a sunburn can actually do to our skin, Bored Panda reached out to Dr. Adil Sheraz, a consultant dermatologist and spokesperson for the British Skin Foundation.
Dr. Sheraz explained that sunburn is predominantly caused by overexposure to UVB (ultraviolet B.) “We need to remember that UVB Is a form of radiation.”
And although the sun has many benefits, including promoting the production of vitamin D in our skin and boosting our well-being, “it is also well known that excessive sun exposure can and does lead to skin cancers, including fatal melanoma.”
The dermatologist said that sunburn is not just redness, swelling, and blisters. In reality, these are the signs that the body is repairing itself from damage caused in the DNA of cells. “Over time, if too much DNA is damaged, this will often mutate into cancer-forming cells and results in either a melanoma or one of the other types of skin cancers,” he explained.
Dr. Sheraz also said that the type and degree of sunburn will depend on many factors, including your age and skin type. “If you are younger than 6 or older than 65, then you will have a greater risk of burning.”
Moreover, “If you have type 1 skin, i.e. blue eyes, blonde hair, and very fair skin, then you will burn quicker and will not tan before burning.”
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The majority of sunburns will result in mild pain, redness, and peeling of the skin. “This would be in keeping with a first-degree burn. This type of sunburn tends to resolve spontaneously and doesn’t require one to come into hospital or see the GP.”
However, if you develop blistering from the sun, it would mean that the deeper layers of the skin have been affected. “This is more akin to a second-degree burn. The skin can be swollen, very painful, and, of course, bright red,” the spokesperson at the British Skin Foundation said.
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Dr. Sheraz urges anyone who develops signs of fever, develops blisters, or feels lightheaded or confused to seek immediate medical attention.
“Severe sunburn can lead to significant dehydration and the resulting inflammation in the skin (which is the body’s healing response) can send one into shock, with a significant drop in blood pressure and even death in extreme situations.”
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Among other features of sunburn, some people may feel itching which, Dr. Sheraz explained, “is thought to be associated with the release of a chemical called bradykinin from damaged skin.”
Even though it’s just a theory, the dermatologist said that “online sufferers have described their experiences as feeling ‘like fire ants are biting you under your skin,’ ‘wanting to rip your skin off,’ or ‘an uncontrollable itch that, when scratched, causes stabbing pain.’”
