It hurts!

SUNBURN

A sunburn is the reddening, inflammation, and, in severe cases, blistering and peeling of the skin caused by overexposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun.

• Sunburns before the age of 20 are associated with more melanocytic and atypical melanocytic nevi, whereas in adulthood, sunburns tend to cause the development of actinic keratoses.
• Severe sunburns are linked to the development of BCC, SCC and melanoma.
• Being in the shade (and not using sunscreen) can still lead to sunburn.
• Factors associated with visits to the ER for sunburn in one study included psychiatric illness, alcohol use and homelessness.

Clinical

The skin becomes erythematous and tender in the areas of photo-exposure. Blisters may form. Later, desquamation occurs.

Prevention

240 mg BID of Polypodium Leucotomos extract [PLE] reduced the likelihood of sunburn in healthy adults in a RDBPCT. It also increased the minimal erythema dose. Similar findings were shown in a study that had subjects take 240 mg of PLE 2 hours and 1 hour before UV exposure. Of note, Heliocare is currently the preferred product available OTC in the US that contains PLE.

Sunburn Purpura

Sunburn purpura remains a rare phenomenon in which a petechial or purpuric rash develops acutely after intense sun exposure.

Additional Pictures

Desquamation is very common after a sunburn.

RegionalDerm

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