Burn from the sun

• Avoid sun exposure during hours of peak sun ray intensity.
• Apply generous amounts of sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Pay special attention to your face, nose, ears, and shoulders. The higher the SPF, the greater the protection.
• Apply sunscreen 30 minutes prior to sun exposure to allow penetration. Re-apply after swimming and every 2 hours while you are outdoors.
• Wear sun hats. There is also SPF clothing and swimwear available.
• Wear sunglasses with UV protection.
• Use a lip balm with sunscreen.

Kaplan LA. Exposure to Radiation from the Sun. In: Auerbach PS. Wilderness Medicine. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2007: chap. 14.

Images

Sun protection

Skin cancer, close-up of level III melanoma

Burns

Skin cancer, melanoma on the fingernail

Skin cancer, close-up of lentigo maligna melanoma

Sun’s effect on skin

Skin cancer, close-up of level IV melanoma

Skin cancer, melanoma superficial spreading

Sunburn

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Sunburn Treatment

Review Date: 04/27/2009
Reviewed By: Michael Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)