What is sunburn? How do you treat it?

When the sun returns, sunburn is often the unwelcome guest of your first exposures. But do you really know what sunburn is? And do you know what to do to soothe it? Find out everything you need to know about sunburn in this article.

What is sunburn?

Sunburn is a skin burn caused by the sun's UVB rays.

In the sun, we are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation invisible to the naked eye. There are three types of UV rays:

• UVB represents 5% of UV. They are blocked by glass and clouds. They only penetrate the superficial layer of the skin: the epidermis. Only 10% reach the deeper layers of the skin.
  They produce a "delayed tan" 48 to 72 hours after exposure, by triggering the synthesis of the skin's black pigment, melanin, to protect the skin. They are also responsible for sunburn.
  They attack skin cells, causing DNA damage in exposed cells and promoting the development of skin cancers.
• UVA rays represent 95% of all UV rays. They burn 1,000 times less than UVB rays, but are harder to stop: they are not stopped by glass or clouds, and penetrate deep into the skin. They penetrate deep into the skin.
  UVA rays produce pigmentation in the minutes following exposure to the sun, due to the oxidation of melanin already present in the skin. This is a short-lasting tan.
  They damage elastin and collagen fibers in the dermis, and cause a change in the DNA of deep skin cells, promoting skin aging and the appearance of skin cancers.
• UVC rays are largely absorbed as soon as they enter the atmosphere, and never reach the earth.

During exposure to the sun, melanocytes protect the skin from the harmful effects of UV rays by producing melanin and tanning. Tanning is therefore a defensive reaction to solar aggression.

The skin's natural pigmentation (skin color) is therefore the key factor in its spontaneous ability to protect against UV rays.

The skin can receive a certain amount of sunlight. As long as the critical threshold is not exceeded, the skin tans as a defensive reaction, but once exceeded, sunburn leads to the destruction of thousands of epidermal cells.

Sunburns can be more or less serious. There are 3 main types of burn, distinguished by their degree of severity and the different treatments they require:

• ^1st-degree burn: the skin is red, dry and painful. It turns white when touched and may be slightly itchy. There are no blisters, but edema may form. The level of severity is low, as only the epidermis is affected. Healing takes just a few days, without scarring.
• ^2nd-degree burn: blisters appear on the skin immediately or a few hours after the burn. They are filled with a clear liquid and may be open or closed.
  If the skin around the blisters is red and painful, this is called a superficial^2nd-degree burn. The level of severity is moderate, as the dermis is not affected. Healing takes more than a week.
  If the skin around the blisters is pale and not very sensitive, this is a deep^2nd-degree burn. In this case, the burn is more serious, requiring rapid medical attention.
• ^3rd-degree burn: the skin is brown or black with no blisters. It is hard and has a cardboard-like appearance. Hair can be easily removed. The wound is painless except around the edges. The level of severity is very important, as the epidermis and dermis are destroyed. Nerve endings, hair follicles and sweat glands are affected. Muscle tissue and bone may also be affected. It's important to contact the emergency services as soon as possible.

Sunburns can last more or less time, depending on the severity of the burn.

How do you determine the severity of a sunburn?

A sunburn is potentially serious if it involves one or more of these conditions:

• It affects a fragile person: a child under 5 or an elderly person,
• The burned area is extensive: more than 5% of the body surface for a child and 10% for an adult,
• It is present on thin-skinned areas: the back of the hand, the head, the décolleté, the genitals, etc,
• Blisters are present over a large area,
• The burn is accompanied by signs of dehydration (vomiting, malaise, thirst, fever, headache) or sunstroke (headache, confusion, dizziness),
• There are signs of skin infection (pus, swelling),
• The burn is deep^2nd degree or ^3rd degree.

In this case, we strongly recommend that you consult your doctor as soon as possible, or call the emergency services.

What are the best ways to soothe a sunburn?

If you suffer from a sunburn with a^1st degree or superficial^2nd degree burn, here are some tips on how to care for it:

• Run the burned area under room-temperature water to cool it,
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated,
• Don't tear off your skin when it peels, and apply repair and moisturizing cream to the burned area regularly,
• Do not expose the affected area to the sun for the next few days,
• Use protective clothing and regularly apply high SPF sunscreen,
• Make sure the burn remains clean,
• Do not pierce blisters. Ask your pharmacist for advice on suitable dressings.

Your skin needs you, take care of it naturally

Your skin needs you, take care of it naturally