Sunburn

When you get sunburn, your skin is actually damaged at the cellular level by UV radiation, your body then responds to the damage. The body responds to the damage by increasing blood flow to the capillary bed of the dermis in order to bring in cells to repair the damage. The redness that occurs is due to the increase in blood flow to the area. If you press on sunburned skin it will turn white and then return too red as the capillaries again refill.

Mild sunburn is a first-degree radiation burn, the skin is red and painful. The outer layers of the epidermis peels in 3-6 days, with itching and redness continuing for up to a week or more. Extreme sunburn can be a second-degree burn. Third-degree sunburn is uncommon, usually requiring several days of exposure. An individual's response to UV radiation depends on skin colour and other genetic factors. Sunburn can also lead to scarring.

Allergic Rhinitis need not necessarily be seasonal and can occur throughout the year. When symptoms are perennial (all year round) the likely allergens are from the immediate environment and allergen challenges are continuous. With perennial Hayfever symptoms, environmental control measures can be most useful in reducing the severity and frequency of the allergy. Seasonal allergy sufferers are more likely to obtain benefit from drug therapy as allergens causing their symptoms tend to be out of their immediate control.

How Sunscreens Work

Sunlight arrives on earth in three forms: infrared (heat), visible light and ultraviolet. Ultraviolet light is classified into three categories:

• UVA (315 to 400 nm), also known as black light, causes tanning and penetrates deeply into the skin and is the primary cause of premature aging of the skin and contributes to causing skin cancer. 99% of the sun's UV radiation at sea level is UVA
  
• UVB (280 to 315 nm), it is the UVB that causes most of the problems related to sun exposure: like aging, wrinkles and cancer.
  
• UVC (100 to 280 nm), is filtered out by the ozone layer and doesnŐt reach us.

Many brands of sunscreens are available, containing an array of ingredients. The active ingredients work by absorbing, reflecting, or scattering some or all of the sun's rays. Sunscreens carry a sun protection factor (SPF) rating on their labels. The higher the number, the longer a person can stay in the sun without burning. The SPF acts like a multiplying factor. If you would normally be OK in the sun for 10 minutes then you will be protected in the sun for 150 minutes if you were to apply sunscreen with an SPF of 15

The first commercial sunscreen was developed in 1928, and contained benzyl salicylate and benzyl cinnamate. PABA esters were developed in the mid 1970s, however, in the late 1980s it was suspected that PABA esters could degrade into possible carcinogens, and their use in sunscreens quickly dropped. Today, many brands of sunscreen are available and contain one or two types of compounds:

1. organic chemical compounds that absorb ultraviolet light
2. opaque materials that reflect light (usually metallic oxides)

Some products provide broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays while others only protect against UVB. The SPF rating applies only to UVB radiation. Products are available in water-resistant and waterproof formulas. Other differences in sunscreen formulations include their feel on the skin, fragrance, ease of application and the ability to not stain. Skin type is important when choosing a formula. Those who are acne-prone should avoid oil-based products and tend toward lighter, alcohol-based gels. Those with dry skin should seek creamier formulations. Those who have sensitive and allergy prone skin should use hypoallergenic formulas free of PABA, fragrances, and benzophenone.


Suggested SPF according to characteristics of skin

Other Products

Recent research also shows that antioxidant supplementation may protect our skin. Supplementation with carotenoids (25 mg/day) and vitamin E (500 IU/day) may be useful for diminishing sensitivity to ultraviolet light.

Children in the Sun

Studies reveal that a history of sunburns during the first ten to twenty years of life doubles the risk of skin cancer in later years. Sunscreen may be applied to children as young as six months old, unless your doctor indicates otherwise. Infants should be kept out of direct sunlight. Infants under 6 months of age should be kept away from any amount of UV exposure, as their skin is thinner and not capable of producing sufficient melanin to adequately protect it. A baby's skin is also less efficient at cooling itself. 80 percent of lifelong sun damage occurs before the age of 18. So, kids need to be reminded to use sunscreen and wear a hat and sunglasses.

Medication Use

Anyone who is using a prescription or non-prescription (over-the-counter) drug that is applied to the skin should check with a doctor before using a sunscreen. Medications commonly taken to fight acne may increase the risk of sunburn. People taking medications such as antibiotics (including tetracyclines, sulfa, and quinolones) or retinoids should take extra sun safety precautions. Other medications include diuretics, antifungals and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories. The same applies to bergamot, an ingredient in some fragrances, as well as mangoes, celery, fennel, figs, parsnip, and lime rinds.

Care in the Sun

Sunscreens are integral to a person's total sun protection strategy, however sunscreen use alone will not prevent all of the possible harmful effects due to sun exposure. Apply sunscreen before you go outside. This ensures that hard to reach areas wont be neglected, and to be protected from the incidental sun exposure on your way to your destination.

Apply sun blocks liberally to all areas exposed to the sun, including your neck, ears, fingers, scalp (if the hair is thin or very short), and toes. Reapplication needs to be done every few hours, or more frequently if you are swimming, sweating or towelling off.

1. Pay special attention to the area under your eyes where skin is extremely delicate and can wrinkle easily, take care not to get sunscreen in the eyes, as it can cause irritation. Wear sunglasses.
2. Use a lip balm containing sunscreen to protect the lips.
3. Any clothing that is thin enough to see through will let the sun through too. When possible, wear a hat, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt. Wet clothing is an even less effective sun barrier.
4. The sun is strongest between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
5. The sun can damage the skin even on cloudy days, so itŐs important to use a sunscreen every day. Be especially careful at high elevations or in areas with surfaces that reflect the sun's rays, such as sand, water, concrete, or snow.

People with fair skin, light coloured hair and eyes are at greatest risk for developing skin cancer. So are people with many large skin moles. These people should avoid exposure to the sun as much as possible. However, even darker skinned people may suffer skin damage from the sun and should be careful about the sun.

It is recommended to regularly check any moles and freckles so you can track any changes in your skin. See a doctor if any growth, mole or discolouration appears suddenly or begins to change. Early detection and treatment are the best defence if cancer develops.

Suncare Part 1