Sunburn is caused by an acute overdose of ultraviolet light (natural sunlight or artificial). The particular wavelength responsible is the ultraviolet B range (see Figure below). Light reflected off water, snow and the ground as well as direct sunlight may be the cause which explains why umbrellas and brimmed hats are not entirely protective.

	200nm	290nm	320nm	400nm	700nm
Gamma rays	X-Rays	Ultraviolet (UV)			Visible Light	Infra Red
		C	B	A
			Sunburn, Skin cancer, Ageing	Tanning, Skin cancer, Ageing

Symptoms
The susceptibility towards sunburn varies according to the skin phototype.


• Redness and swelling which stops more or less at the areas covered by the clothes.
• Pain.
• In severe cases, blistering and fever.
• Peeling of the skin occurs as the sunburn resolves. During this stage, there may be some itching.
  

  Peeling of the skin after a sunburn.

• Complications
• Headaches, fever and chills if sunburn is severe.
• Pigmentation after the reaction resolves.

Skin Phototypes

Skin type	Reaction to sun-exposure	Examples
Type 1	Always burns, never tans	Light-eyed, fair-skinned Northern Europeans
Type 2	Always burns, sometimes tans	Fair-skinned Europeans.
Type 3	Sometimes burns, always tans	Mediterranean origin eg. Spaniards, Italians and Greeks
Type 4	Never burns, always tans	Hispanics and Asians.
Type 5	Dark pigmented Asian skin.	Hispanics and Asians.
Type 6	Black skin.	Darkly pigmented Africans and Southern Indians.

Complications

• The long term cosmetic complication is photoageing (see ageing skin).
• The longterm medical complication is an increased risk of developing skin cancers with each episode of sunburn.

  What you can do

• Apply cool compresses for 15 minutes 2 or 3 times a day.
• Apply calamine lotion.
• Take simple painkillers.
• Consult a doctor if you have blisters or other symptoms such as fever and chills.

  Prevention of sun damage (sun protection)

• Limit exposure to sunlight especially between 11am to 3pm.
• Wear protective clothing (densely woven fabric is best) and broad-brimmed hats.
• Use umbrellas and try to stay in the shade.
• Remember that the sun can penetrate through water and wet white clothing and UV-A can pass through window glass.
• Apply sunscreens to all exposed parts at least 30 minutes before going out. Reapply every 2 hours and more frequently if you are swimming or sweating profusely.

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