A sunburn is a burn to living tissue such as skin produced by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, commonly from the sun's rays. Exposure of the skin to lesser amounts of UV will often produce a suntan. Usual mild symptoms in humans and animals are red or reddish skin that is hot to the touch, general fatigue, and mild dizziness. Sunburn can be life-threatening and is a leading cause of skin cancer.^[1][2] Sunburn can easily be prevented through the use of sunscreen, clothing (and hats), and by limiting solar exposure, especially during the middle of the day. The only cure for sunburn is slow healing, although skin creams can help. Sunburn is a condition of the skin after overexposure to ultraviolet radiation. ... The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (most commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) provides codes to classify diseases and a wide variety of signs, symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances and external causes of injury or disease. ... The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision (ICD-10) is a coding of diseases and signs, symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances and external causes of injury or diseases, as classified by the World Health Organization (WHO). ... // L00-L99 - Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L00-L08) Infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L00) Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (L01) Impetigo (L02) Cutaneous abscess, furuncle and carbuncle (L03) Cellulitis (L04) Acute lymphadenitis (L05) Pilonidal cyst (L08) Other local infections of skin and subcutaneous tissue (L081) Erythrasma... The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (most commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) provides codes to classify diseases and a wide variety of signs, symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances and external causes of injury or disease. ... The following is a list of codes for International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. ... For other uses, see Burn. ... For other uses, see Skin (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Ultraviolet (disambiguation). ... Sol redirects here. ... A suntanned arm showing browner skin where it has been exposed. ... Skin cancer is a malignant growth on the skin which can have many causes. ...

A young woman showing sunburn on her neck and shoulders.

Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1600 × 1200 pixel, file size: 222 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1600 × 1200 pixel, file size: 222 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...

Cause

The condition occurs when incident UV radiation exceeds the existing protective capacity of melanin in the skin. Concentrations of this pigment vary greatly among individuals, but in general, darker-skinned people have more melanin than those with lighter skin. Correspondingly, the incidence of sunburn among dark-skinned individuals is lower. Broadly, melanin is any of the polyacetylene, polyaniline, and polypyrrole blacks and browns or their mixed copolymers. ...

The sun is not the only origin — a similar burn can be produced by overexposure to other sources of UV such as from tanning lamps, or occupationally, such as from welding arcs. Note: Ultraviolet is also the name of a 1998 UK television miniseries about vampires. ... Welding is a fabrication process that joins materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, by causing coalescence. ...

Symptoms

Typically there is initial redness (erythema), followed by varying degrees of pain, both proportional in severity to the duration and intensity of exposure. Erythema is an abnormal redness of the skin caused by capillary congestion. ... Pain redirects here. ...

Other symptoms are edema, itching, red and/or peeling skin, rash, nausea and fever. Also, a small amount of heat is given off from the burn, giving a warm feeling to the affected area. Sunburns may be first- or second-degree burns. This page is about the condition called edema. ... An analogue medical thermometer showing the temperature of 38. ... This page deals with the type of injury called burns; for other meanings of burn see burn (disambiguation) In medicine, a burn is a type of injury to the skin caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, or radiation (an example of the latter is sunburn). ... This page deals with the type of injury called burns; for other meanings of burn see burn (disambiguation) In medicine, a burn is a type of injury to the skin caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, or radiation (an example of the latter is sunburn). ... For other uses, see Burn. ...

A young man displaying a moderate sunburn.

Sunburn This work is copyrighted. ... Sunburn This work is copyrighted. ...

Variations

Minor sunburns typically cause nothing more than slight redness and tenderness to the affected areas. In more serious cases blistering can occur. Extreme sunburns can be painful to the point of debilitation and may require hospital care.

Duration

Sunburn can occur in less than 15 minutes. Nevertheless, the inflicted harm is often not immediately obvious.

After the exposure, skin may turn red in as little as 30 minutes but most often takes 2 to 6 hours. Pain is usually most extreme 6 to 48 hours after exposure. The burn continues to develop for 24 to 72 hours occasionally followed by peeling skin in 3 to 8 days. Some peeling and itching may continue for several weeks.

UVA and UVB

UV radiation is divided into the UVA (380–315 nm), UVB (315–280 nm) and UVC (280-180 nm) sub-bands. Ozone in the Earth's atmosphere filters out a portion of this before it reaches the planet's surface. UVC is almost entirely eliminated by the atmosphere, but enough UVA and UVB penetrates it in large enough quantities that sunburn occurs. For other uses, see Ozone (disambiguation). ... Air redirects here. ...

With respect to the spectral components of sunlight, the severity of sunburn has been found to peak in the low-frequency UVB range near the 320 nm transition to UVA. This is based on two factors: To help compare different orders of magnitudes this page lists lengths between 10-9 m (metre) and 10-8 m (1 nm and 10 nm). ...

1. erythemal activity - the specific effect of different wavelengths of radiation on the skin
2. solar irradiance - how much of any solar radiation wavelength can be expected to be incident on the surface of the earth

Irradiance vs. erythemal action Weighted irradiance (UVB-UVA threshold in blue) Source: NOAA

The resulting erythemal irradiance metric is calculated by weighting measurements of solar irradiance with experimental measurements of erythemal activity. When this product is graphed, there is a peak at 308 nm. For other uses, see Radiation (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Skin (disambiguation). ... Solar irradiance spectrum at top of atmosphere. ... This article is about Earth as a planet. ... Image File history File links NOAA_UV_Radiation--Irradiances_vs_Erythemal_Action_graph. ... Image File history File links NOAA_UV_Radiation--Irradiances_vs_Erythemal_Action_graph. ... Image File history File links NOAA_UV_Radiation--Erythemally_Weighted_Spectral_Irradiances_graph. ... Image File history File links NOAA_UV_Radiation--Erythemally_Weighted_Spectral_Irradiances_graph. ... Irradiance, radiant emittance, and radiant exitance are radiometry terms for the power of electromagnetic radiation at a surface, per unit area. ...

At the cellular level, UVB light causes DNA damage which may be passed onto subsequent generations of a cell's progeny, leading to increased risk of skin cancer. Damaged cells die and release toxins which are responsible for nausea and fever. If many cells die, peeling may result. The structure of part of a DNA double helix Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, is a nucleic acid molecule that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms. ...

Increased risk

Erythemal dose at three Northern latitudes
source: NOAA

The risk of sunburn increases with proximity to the tropic latitudes which are located between 23.5° north and south latitude. Everything else being equal (e.g. cloud cover, ozone layer, terrain, etc.), over the course of a full year, each location within the tropic and polar regions receives the same amount of UV radiation. It is in the temperate zones between 23.5° and 66.5° where UV radiation varies by latitude. The lower the latitude, the greater the risk. In the late spring and early summer, higher latitudes have many hours of daylight, which partially compensates for the less direct sunlight in this region if exposed all day. ^{[citation needed]} People can still receive severe sunburns at these higher latitudes. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (836x598, 8 KB) author: NOAA: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration source URL: http://www. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (836x598, 8 KB) author: NOAA: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration source URL: http://www. ... A noontime scene from the Philippines on a day when the Sun is almost directly overhead. ... For other uses, see Cloud (disambiguation). ... The ozone layer is a layer in Earths atmosphere which contains relatively high concentrations of ozone (O3). ... Location of the polar regions Northern Hemisphere permafrost (permanently frozen ground) in purple. ... For the usage in virology, see temperate (virology). ...

On a minute by minute basis though, the amount of UV radiation is dependent on the angle of the sun. This is easily determined by the height ratio of any object to the size of its shadow. The greatest risk is at noon, when shadows are at their minimum. Regardless of one's latitude (assuming no other variables), equal shadow lengths mean equal amounts of UV radiation. A minute is a unit of time equal to 1/60th of an hour and to 60 seconds. ... This article is about the mathematical concept. ... Shadows on pavement A shadow is a region of darkness where light is blocked. ... Noon is the time exactly halfway through the day, written 12:00 in the 24-hour clock and 12:00 noon in the 12-hour clock. ...

Sunburn can also be caused by pharmaceutical products that sensitise some users to UV radiation. Certain antibiotics, contraceptives, and tranquillizers have this effect.^[3] People with red hair and/or freckles generally have a greater risk of sunburn than others because of their lighter skin tone.^[4] Pharmacology (in Greek: pharmacon is drug, and logos is science) is the study of how chemical substances interfere with living systems. ... Staphylococcus aureus - Antibiotics test plate. ... A sedative is a drug that depresses the central nervous system (CNS), which causes calmness, relaxation, reduction of anxiety, sleepiness, slowed breathing, slurred speech, staggering gait, poor judgment, and slow, uncertain reflexes. ... Woman with red hair Man with red hair Red hair (also referred to as auburn, ginger, ranga or titian) varies from a deep orange-red through burnt orange to bright copper. ... Freckles are small colored spots of melanin on the exposed skin or membrane of people with complexions fair enough for them to be visible. ...

Suntans, which naturally develop in some individuals as a protective mechanism against the sun, are viewed by many in the Western world as desirable.^[5] This has led to increases in sunburn incidences and in solarium popularity as individuals attempt to tan. A suntanned arm showing browner skin where it has been exposed. ... A sunbed, with lights off. ...

In recent years, the incidence and severity of sunburn has increased worldwide, especially in the southern hemisphere, because of damage to the ozone layer. Ozone depletion and the seasonal ozone hole has led to dangerously high levels of UV radiation ^[6]. Incidence of skin cancer in Queensland, Australia has risen to 75 percent among those over 64 years of age by about 1990, presumably due to thinning of the ozone layer.^[7] The ozone layer is a layer in Earths atmosphere which contains relatively high concentrations of ozone (O3). ... Global monthly average total ozone amount Ozone depletion describes 14 distinct, but related observations: a slow, steady decline of about 4 percent per decade in the total amount of ozone in Earths stratosphere since around 1980; and a much larger, but seasonal, decrease in stratospheric ozone over Earths... Image of the largest antarctic ozone hole ever recorded in September 2000. ... Slogan or Nickname: Sunshine State, Smart State Motto(s): Audax at Fidelis (Bold but Faithful) Other Australian states and territories Capital Brisbane Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Quentin Bryce Premier Anna Bligh (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 28  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $158,506 (3rd...

No one is immune from sun-induced skin cancer, but there are several factors that dramatically increase the risk. Fair-skinned individuals are the most prone to sun damage, as are people taking medications that contraindicate sun exposure.

One should immediately speak to a dermatologist if a skin lesion appears suddenly, with asymmetrical appearance, darker edges than center, that changes color, or becomes larger than 1/4 inch (6 mm).

Protection

Skin

Sunburn peeling. The dehydration of the epidermis causes the top layer to flake off.

It is advisable to consult a UV index to determine what level of protection is necessary. Potential forms of protection include wearing long-sleeved garments and wide-brimmed hats, and using an umbrella when in the sun. Minimization of sun exposure between the hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. is also recommended. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (768 × 1024 pixel, file size: 75 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) A peeling, scabbing sunburn. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (768 × 1024 pixel, file size: 75 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) A peeling, scabbing sunburn. ... The UV index is an international standard measurement of how strong the ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is at a particular place on a particular day. ... A hat is an item of clothing which is worn on the head; a kind of headgear. ... Parasol redirects here. ...

Sunburn, photographed 2 days after a 5-hour sun exposure. The dark red area is sunburned. The normal-colored skin was covered by the woman's suit during exposure.

Commercial preparations are available that block UV light, known as sunscreens or sunblocks. They have a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) rating, based on the sunblock's ability to reduce the UVB radiation at the skin: The higher the SPF rating, the greater the protection. A sunscreen rated SPF15 blocks 93.3% UVB; an SPF30 rated sunscreen blocks 96.7%. It is best to use a broad spectrum sunscreen to protect against both UVA and UVB radiation. It is prudent to use waterproof formulations if one plans to engage in water-based activities. The best sunscreens attenuate UVA radiation as well as UVB. Note that the stated protection factors are only correct if 2 μl of sunscreen is applied per square cm of exposed skin. This translates into about 28 ml (1 oz) to cover the whole body of an adult male, which is much more than many people use in practice. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2020x2288, 1842 KB) Summary A sunburn, photographed two days after a five-hour exposure to the sun. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2020x2288, 1842 KB) Summary A sunburn, photographed two days after a five-hour exposure to the sun. ... Sunscreen (also known as sunblock, suntan lotion) is a lotion, spray or other topical product that is supposed to protect the skin from the suns ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and which reduces sunburn and other skin damage, with the goal of lowering the risk of skin cancer. ... Sunscreen or sunblock is a lotion that is applied to reduce skin damage by blocking ultraviolet radiation from the sun. ... This article is in need of attention. ...

Contrary to the common advice that sunscreen should be reapplied every 2–3 hours, research has shown that the best protection is achieved by application 15 to 30 minutes before exposure, followed by one reapplication 15 to 30 minutes after the sun exposure begins. Further reapplication is only necessary after activities such as swimming, sweating, and rubbing.^[8] This varies based on the indications and protection shown on the label — from as little as 80 minutes in water to a few hours, depending on the product selected.

When one is exposed to any artificial source of occupational UV, special protective clothing (for example, welding helmets/shields) should be worn. For consumers, there are also different styles of special sun protective clothing. Sun protective clothing offers more sun protection than comparable lightweight garments. Clothing that is designed to block out UV light is labeled with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating. UPF indicates how much of the sun's UV radiation is absorbed by the fabric. For example, a fabric with a UPF rating of 20 allows 1/20th of the sun's UV radiation to pass through. A garment shouldn't be labeled as being sun-protective if its UPF is less than 15. ^[9] Sun-protective clothing loses some of its effectiveness if it is worn too tight or if it is stretched out, damp or wet. Sun protection is also compromised by repeated washings. ^[10] Welding is a fabrication process that joins materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, by causing coalescence. ... // Sun protective clothing is clothing specifically designed for sun protection and is produced from a fabric rated for its level of ultraviolet (UV) protection. ...

Eyes

Eyes should not be neglected, and wrap-around sunglasses which block UV light should also be worn. UV light has been implicated in pterygium and cataract development. Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses (RB2132 901L) Sunglasses or sun glasses are a visual aid, variously termed spectacles or glasses, which feature lenses that are coloured or darkened to prevent strong light from reaching the eyes. ... A pterygium, meaning wing, is a benign growth of the conjunctiva. ... Human eye cross-sectional view, showing position of human lens. ...

Treatment

There is no immediate cure for sunburns, but the pain can be relieved by hydrating the skin. This is done by applying products containing aloe, vitamin E, or both.^[11] Vinegar is a remedy for the stinging sensation on a burn and any products with lidocaine can prevent healing and damage skin.^{[citation needed]} Drinking fluids can aid in hydration, and eating high protein foods will assist tissue repair. Analgesics such as acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g. Advil) can also reduce pain.^[11] One method to treatment involves applying a clean washcloth soaked with cool milk like a cold compress, since the lactic acid will help reduce inflammation and the cool towel will soothe the pain.^[12] Species See Species For other uses, see Aloe (disambiguation). ... Tocopherol, or Vitamin E, is a fat-soluble vitamin in eight forms that is an important antioxidant. ... Lidocaine (INN) (IPA: ) or lignocaine (former BAN) (IPA: ) is a common local anesthetic and antiarrhythmic drug. ... An analgesic (colloquially known as a painkiller) is any member of the diverse group of drugs used to relieve pain (achieve analgesia). ... Acetaminophen (USAN) or paracetamol (INN), is a popular analgesic and antipyretic drug that is used for the relief of fever, headaches, and other minor aches and pains. ... Ibuprofen (INN) (IPA: ) (from the earlier nomenclature iso-butyl-propanoic-phenolic acid) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) originally marketed as Nurofen and since under various trademarks including Act-3, Advil, Brufen, Dorival, Herron Blue, Panafen, Motrin, Nuprin and Ipren or Ibumetin (Sweden), Ibuprom (Poland), IbuHEXAL, Moment (Italy... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with ibuprofen. ...

Blistered skin, with or without open sores, should heal on its own. As with any other open skin wound, it is best to avoid lotions or other directly applied ointments. However, antibacterial solutions and gauze can prevent skin infections.

The best treatment for most sunburns is time. Given a few weeks, they will heal.^[11] Overall, the most important aspect of sunburn care is to avoid the sun while healing, and to take precautions to prevent future burns.

Skin cancer

The more critical and long-term danger posed by sunburn is an increased risk of future skin cancer, which is believed to be highly correlated. One incident of blistering sunburn doubles the risk of malignant melanoma [1]. But while sunburn severity gives an indication of short-term radiation over-exposure, there is also deeper penetration by UVA that occurs in the absence of perceptible symptoms. UVB was thought to be the sole causative agent in skin cancer, but there is a growing body of evidence to support the theory that both UVA and UVB are implicated. Skin cancer is a malignant growth on the skin which can have many causes. ... Melanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes. ...

Non-human sunburn

Sunburned tree. The left side of this trunk has fallen off due to sun damage.

Many non-human animals can suffer from sunburn; however, many are protected by a layer of dense fur. Despite myths stating that only hippopotamuses and pigs can be affected by sunburn, almost all animals—even fish, given the right conditions—can suffer sunburn (though pigs and hippopotamuses are more prone due to their hairless skin producing less oil, a natural sun protector). The Tamworth Pig has adapted a special bristle density to minimize sunburn. Image File history File linksMetadata Sunburn_tree. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Sunburn_tree. ... Binomial name Linnaeus, 1758[2] Range map[1] The hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), from the Greek ‘ιπποπόταμος (hippopotamos, hippos meaning horse and potamos meaning river), often shortened to hippo, is a large, mostly plant-eating African mammal, one of only two extant species in the family Hippopotamidae (the other being the Pygmy... Adult Tamworth pig, Aberdeenshire, Scotland Tamworth Pig is among the oldest of porcine breeds, but its population is considered rare and critical. ...

Variations in pigment, fur density, and genetic mutations such as albinism can make some individuals within the same species more or less prone to sunburn. Special care must be taken to protect individuals with variations that are more prone. Natural Ultramarine pigment in powdered form. ... For other uses, see Fur (disambiguation). ... In biology, mutations are permanent, sometimes transmissible (if the change is to a germ cell) changes to the genetic material (usually DNA or RNA) of a cell. ... Albino redirects here. ...

Sunburn is not limited to humans and other animals. Sunburn is a significant and common cause of damage to trees and plants. Plant related sunburn also involves damage to tissue, caused by light from the sun. "Sunscald" on trees is not the same as sunburn on trees. Sunscald is typically a winter or cool season injury to trees. Trunk and branch tissue can be damaged from exposure to sunlight. Damage typically occurs on the west side, to bark (tissue beneath) facing afternoon warm-season sunlight. Bark can fall off, leaving exposed dry wood - clearly seen here where a cavity developed after undamaged tissue continued to grow on either side of the sunburned area. Prevention includes protective trunk cover for newly planted trees, and avoiding excess foliage removal while pruning.

Some nectar producing foliage can suffer sun scorching as the nectar magnifies the sun's rays and can burn through the leaf in certain circumstances.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Sun unit
• Hyperthermia (heat stroke)
• Windburn

The Sun Unit of SU is a measure of sun intensity weighted for skin damage related to the UV index. ... Hyperthermia in its advanced state referred to as heat stroke or sunstroke, is an acute condition which occurs when the body produces or absorbs more heat than it can dissipate. ... Windburn is a skin burn condition where wind removes the top layer of oil from the skin. ...

Notes

is the 86th day of the year (87th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 9th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

References

• Agar N, Halliday G, Barnetson R, Ananthaswamy H, Wheeler M, Jones A. The basal layer in human squamous tumors harbors more UVA than UVB fingerprint mutations: a role for UVA in human skin carcinogenesis. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA 6 Apr 2004;101(14):4954-9.

• Baron E, Fourtanier A, Compan D, Medaisko C, Cooper K, Stevens S. High ultraviolet A protection affords greater immune protection confirming that ultraviolet A contributes to photoimmunosuppression in humans. Journal of Investigative Dermatology Oct 2003;121(4):869-75.

• Hall H, Saraiya M, Thompson T, Hartman A, Glanz K, Rimer B. Correlates of Sunburn Experiences Among U.S. Adults: Results of the 2000 National Health Interview Survey. Public Health Reports 2003;118.

• Haywood R, Wardman P, Sanders R, Linge C. Sunscreens inadequately protect against ultraviolet-A-induced free radicals in skin: implications for skin aging and melanoma? Journal of Investigative Dermatology Oct 2003;121(4):862-8.

• NOAA UV-Index Summary with Data Graphs

External links

• Tips and facts to know before playing in the sun
• Information on Treating Sunburn from The Skin Cancer Foundation
• Sunburn Damage to Trees and Plants: and Prevention
• Avoid sunburn - online sun protection time calculator
• Sun Protection Tips
• Protecting Kids from the Sun
• Medline - Sunburn
• Medline - Sunburn First Aid