Description The Sun. It is worshiped by most cultures and provides the very basis of life. Without its seemingly unlimited supply of energy, the earth would become a cold, barren rock, devoid of any living thing. Yet as with all bountiful gifts, the sun must be treated with respect, for its life-giving rays bring with it equally harmful effects. Sun exposure is necessary for human health. When skin is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays, a cholesterol compound beneath the skin is converted into vitamin D and this nutrient is then absorbed into the body. Vitamin D is essential for proper growth and development of bones and teeth in children. It is also involved in heart beat regulation, enhances immunity, prevents muscle weakness, promotes proper thyroid function, supports the nervous system, and normalizes blood clotting. The sun also keeps us warm and provides energy to grow the fruits, grains, and vegetables that are a staple of our diet. However, excess UV exposure can result in sunburn, premature aging and, at worst, skin cancer. The redness of sunburn is caused by clogged and swollen capillaries that supply blood to the skin. In severe sunburns, blood vessels become damaged and destroy elastic fibres in the skin, causing it to sag and wrinkle. Approximately 80% of sun-induced skin damage occurs by the time we are nineteen years old. Prevention at an early age is thus key.
A vs. B vs. C Sunlight is composed of a number of different kinds of light. One portion of the spectrum is called ultraviolet light, which is further divided into three categories: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVA and UVB penetrate our skin, while UVC is blocked by earth's atmosphere. UVA rays penetrate deep into your skin, resulting in long-term damage such as wrinkles, sagging, and acceleration of the natural aging process. Unlike UVB rays, UVA's do not burn the upper layer of your skin (see below). They do contribute to the development of skin cancer. UVA rays promote solar allergies and can also affect the immune system. They are able to penetrate glass and plastic and their intensity is relatively constant, regardless of season or time of day. UVB rays (280 to 320nm) tan and burn your skin and are the most commonly known. They penetrate the upper layer of the skin, causing sunburn -- a warning sign of excess sun exposure and more permanent UVA damage. UVB's can cause permanent clouding of the eye (cataracts) that significantly reduce vision. It is also believed that UVB rays may initiate skin cancer development. UVB is stronger during the summer and between the hours of 11AM and 4PM. Higher altitudes and equatorial regions also increase the strength of UVB rays. UVC rays are the most dangerous, but are normally blocked by the atmospheric ozone layer and do not reach the surface.
Symptoms and Signs: Symptoms and signs appear from one to twenty four hours after exposure and often peak within seventy two hours. Redness of the skin is the defining sign of a sunburn. The burn is also painful and becomes more so when touched. The skin will often peel. Swelling, skin tenderness, blisters, and oozing can also occur. You may also feel nauseous and fatigued.
Causes:
Excessive exposure to ultraviolet sunlight causes a sunburn. This can be influenced by previous exposure, prolonged outdoor activity, little or no clothing covering, and a fair complexion. Melanin is a natural protective pigment that gives skin its colour. It is able to absorb some UV rays and prevent them from penetrating deeper into the skin. Dark-skinned people have more melanin and thus more resistance (but not immunity) to the sun's rays. Albinos have no melanin and cannot tan at all. They will burn severely upon even brief exposure to the sun. Unless precautions are taken, albinos develop skin cancer at an early age. If you have vitiligo, patches of your skin do not produce melanin and become severely burned.
What to Expect: A sunburn changes the colour of your skin and also causes mild to significant pain. Sunburn on the lower leg is particularly uncomfortable and slow to heal. Your skin often peels once symptoms peak seventy two hours after exposure. Exfoliated skin is highly vulnerable to sunlight for one to several weeks after burn. Take care to protect yourself against exposure and allow your skin to properly heal. As previously mentioned, approximately 80% of sun-induced skin damage occurs by nineteen years of age. Ensure your children are properly protected against sun exposure. Excessive sun exposure, particularly in childhood, often leads to skin cancer. Of the 60,000 Canadians that develop skin cancer each year, 75% are the result of excess sun exposure during childhood. Due to a lack of melanin, albinos must be extra cautious.
Remedies A large variety of remedies are available to prevent and/or reduce the severity of sunburn, which are considered mild burns. If you have a more severe second-degree burn, indicated by blisters or inflammation, purple or discoloured skin, fever, intense itching, or shivering, seek medical attention from your naturopath or other health practitioner. If a child under one year of age has received a burn, seek immediate medical attention.
Sunscreen The importance of using a broad-spectrum sunscreen cannot be stressed enough. Ensure your preparation protects against both UVA and UVB rays. UVC rays are typically blocked by earth's atmosphere. There are two major types of sunscreen. Chemical block sunscreens, such as those containing para-aminobenzoic acid/PABA (which may cause an allergic reaction), benzophenone, or PARSOL 1789, absorb UV rays before they reach your skin. Physical block sunscreens, such as those containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, form a physical, mirror-like, barrier that reflects UV rays off your skin. The sun protection factor (SPF) number on sunscreen indicates its ability to block UVB rays only, i.e., those that cause sunburn. However, it is equally important to protect against cancer-causing UVA rays. Currently there is no consensus as how to evaluate UVA protection. As a result, there is no numeric value for it. Some products claiming UVA protection use chemical blockers that photodegrade under the sun's rays in a very short period of time. One recognized UVA blocker is Parsol 1789, which is photostable under most preparations. Your sunscreen should offer a minimum SPF of 15, in addition to broad-spectrum UVA coverage. The number "15" denotes the sunscreen's ability to block UVB rays for 15 times longer than normal, generally providing three hours of protection. Duration varies according to exposure time and UV intensity. Apply sunscreen liberally to all exposed areas twenty minutes before sun exposure. Reapply after swimming or excessive sweating. In general, apply at least two to three times daily, more so on days with a high UV index. The delicate skin on your lips is also highly susceptible to sun exposure. The collagen below the surface of unprotected lips becomes damaged and forms lines and wrinkles around the lips, resulting in an aged appearance. Use a high SPF lip balm.
Aromatherapy A lukewarm aromatherapy bath will help minimize stinging and reduce sunburn pain. Add six drops chamomile or lavender oil to the bath and soak for thirty minutes or more. Use a cup to pour water over any part of the body that is not submerged in the bath. Pat dry.
Food Supplements Essential fatty acids (EFA's) promote tissue healing. Flaxseed/linseed oil, borage oil, pumpkin seed oil, hemp seed oil, evening primrose oil, fish, eggs, and walnuts are all sources of EFA's. The oils may be the most ideal. Take one tablespoon daily on yogurt, rice and/or bean dishes, salads, and vegetables. If using flaxseed oil capsules, take 2 to 3 capsules daily, in the morning. If using evening primrose oil capsules take 1 500mg capsule daily, in the morning.
Foods Cucumber is often used to soothe burns. Slice and gently wipe it on the affected area. The fat content of milk soothes burned skin. Dip a sterile cotton gauze in whole milk and apply to the burn for twenty minutes. Repeat every two to four hours. Be sure to wash the skin to avoid a sour smell.
Herbs Aloe vera helps soothe burned skin. It relieves discomfort, speeds healing, and moisturizes dried skin. Apply a thin layer of aloe gel and reapply every hour until the pain subsides. Use pulp taken from the inside of a fresh plant for the best results. If using a commercial preparation, ensure it is free of alcohol, colourants, mineral oil, and paraffin wax. Prepare a salve of Calendula flowers and St. Johns Wort to treat badly burned areas. The preparation has antiseptic properties, reduces pain, and promotes wound healing. A lukewarm chamomile bath will help minimize stinging and reduce sunburn pain in the same manner as the aromatherapy bath described above. Add six cups chamomile tea to the bath and soak for thirty minutes or more. Use a cup to pour water over any part of the body that is not submerged in the bath. Pat dry. Make a strong infusion of comfrey tea in a large pot and allow to cool. Place a sterile cotton gauze in the tea to prepare a compress and apply to the burn. Leave for up to thirty minutes. NOTE: The internal consumption of comfrey is not recommended and may be prohibited by law. Prepare gotu kola in the same manner as comfrey, above.
Homeopathy Certain remedies can be used in acute situations if your symptoms fit the symptom picture of the remedy. For dosages, see the dedicated section on Homeopathy. Consult your homeopath or naturopath to determine your constitutional remedy: the remedy that best fits you as a whole person. Your homeopath or naturopath will take a complete case history considering all of your mental and physical ailments and match these symptoms with the symptom picture of the remedy. Apis: Skin is red or pinkish-red. Burnt area is slightly swollen. Symptoms improve with cold applications. NOTE: Apis is derived from an animal and may not be suitable or appropriate if you are vegetarian or vegan. Cantharis: Burnt area is covered by large blisters. Burning pain. Rhus tox.: Skin is red and very itchy and the burnt area is covered by little blisters. Symptoms made better with heat.
Lifestyle The best way to avoid sunburn is to avoid exposure while still enjoying the benefits of being outdoors. Wear a wide-brimmed hat that covers your head, neck, and ears. Wear loose-fitting, tightly-woven, light-coloured, cotton clothing that protects your arms and legs. Children should wear a T-shirt over a bathing suit and wear long shorts instead of short ones. Due to a lack of skin pigment, children and those of a fair complexion are more susceptible to sunburn than others. Ensure your children are properly protected against sun exposure. If you are of fair complexion, take extra precaution as well. NOTE: Children under the age of one should always be kept out of the sun. Dark eyed and/or dark skinned people also need to protect against sun exposure even though they may burn less. As your skin darkens, it is still damaged by the sun's rays. Be sure to use sunscreen when outdoors. Schedule outdoor activity before 11AM and after 4PM, particularly from April to October. Avoid recreational sun tanning. While sun exposure generally feels very good and a tanned body is culturally promoted and accepted, "consumption" should be in moderation. A tan is a sign of skin damage and you will likely get tanned from simply being outdoors. Purposeful tanning should be in short duration, with adequate sunblock, and complemented by an equal length of time in the shade. Create shade. Look for trees and buildings to rest and/or stay under. Carry an umbrella or newspaper to create shade. Carriages, strollers, and playpens should all be in shaded areas. Avoid tanning salons. There is a general misconception that tans from salons are safer than those from the sun, and/or that a base tan from a salon protects against sun exposure. None of these urban myths are true. Ultraviolet light cause skin damage regardless of the source. Remember that skin damage can still occur on cloudy days, where up to 80% of the sun's UV rays can pass through. It does not have to be sunny and your skin does not have to be hot for damage to occur. Do not rub butter, oil, or think ointments on burns. They merely trap sunburn heat and cause additional pain. Avoid sun exposure while your burn is healing. Additional exposure will only worsen the burn. Water, concrete, sand, metal, and snow reflect sunlight and increase their effect. To help prevent cataracts and other eye disorders, ensure your sunglasses have broad UV protection.
Minerals Use a zinc oxide stick on your nose and cheeks -- this is what lifeguards do. The white compound blocks and reflects UV rays. Available in colourless and neon colours, too!
Miscellaneous Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and prevent your body from drying out. Apply a moisturizing cream or lotion to return moisture to dry skin. An oatmeal bath is a traditional remedy used to heal sunburns. Add 1 1/2oz./45g ground oatmeal to a tub of lukewarm water. Soak for fifteen minutes. Use a cup to pour water over any part of the body that is not submerged in the bath. Pat dry. A baking soda bath helps soothe pain. Add one cup baking soda to a tub of lukewarm water and soak for thirty minutes to one hour. Use a cup to pour water over any part of the body that is not submerged in the bath. Pat dry. Dip a soft cloth in cold water and apply to the burn for twenty minutes to relieve pain. Once the sun has gone done (or before it comes up), take a dip in the pool or lake. This will help take the heat out of the burn. Alternatively, use an indoor pool or prepare a cool/lukewarm bath.
Vitamins Vitamin A promotes tissue repair and reduces free radical damage caused by sun exposure. Take 25,000 to 100,000 IU daily. Vitamin C promotes tissue repair and reduces free radical damage caused by sun exposure. Take 1,000 to 10,000mg daily. Start at the lower dosage and increase up to bowel tolerance. Vitamin E cream helps soothe burned skin, promotes tissue repair, and also scavenges for free radicals. Apply externally as needed once the burn has cooled and begun to heal. Also, take 400 to 800 IU daily.
Actions and Remedy Listings
For More Information ... The Weather Network UV Report
www.theweathernetwork.com/uvreport/canuv_en/ Canadian Dermatology Association
774 Echo Drive, Room 521
Ottawa, Ontario
K1S 5N8 Tel.: 613.730.6262
Toll-free: 1.800.267.3376
Fax: 613.730.8262 Web: www.dermatology.ca
Email: contact.cda@dermatology.ca
See also Burns, Skin Cancer
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