Sunburn and Sun-Sensitizing Drugs

Skin Problems Slideshow

Medically Reviewed by Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

• What is sunburn?
• Can sunburn cause permanent damage?
• What is UV light?
• When and where are UV rays most intense?
• What are the symptoms of sunburn?
• What first-aid measures should be taken with sunburn?
• Is a follow-up visit with a physician necessary?
• Why does the skin tan after exposure to UV rays?
• Who is most susceptible to sunburn?
• Can diseases cause a heightened sensitivity to UV rays?
• What kinds of cancer can UV rays cause?
• How can sunburn and skin cancer be prevented?
• What are sun-sensitizing drugs?
• What medications and products can increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun?
• What is the difference between a photoallergic and a phototoxic reaction?
• Sunburn and Sun-Sensitizing Drugs At A Glance
• Appendix - Sun-sensitizing drugs from A to Z
• Related sunburn treatment articles:
  Sunburn treatment - on WebMD

Debunking Summer Health Myths Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR As children, most of us heard lots of health advice. Unfortunately, some of it, however well–intentioned, was medically incorrect. See if you've ever heard – or believed – any of these common summer health myths. "Wait a half hour after eating before you can safely go swimming." This one seemed almost universally accepted when I was a child and is still believed today. The myth involves the possibility of suffering severe muscle cramping and drowning from swimming on a full stomach. While it's true that the digestive process does divert the circulation of the blood toward the gut and to a certain extent, away from the muscles, the fact is that an episode of drowning caused by swimming on a full stomach has never been documented. Neither the American Academy of Pediatrics nor the American Red Cross makes any specific recommendations about waiting any amount of time after eating before taking a swim. There's a theoretical possibility that one could develop a cramp while swimming with a full stomach, but a person swimming in a pool or controlled swimming area could easily exit the water if this happens. As with any exercise after eating, swimming right after a big meal might be uncomfortable, but it won't cause you to drown. Read the rest of the Summer Myths! » Top Searched Sunburn Terms: treatment, sunburn relief, severe sunburn, sunburn blisters, itch, sun poisoning

What is sunburn?

Sunburn is an inflammation of the skin that is caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. A similar burn can follow overexposure to a "sun" (tanning) lamp. UV radiation can also damage the eyes, although no surface burn is apparent.

Can sunburn cause permanent damage?

Yes. Sunburn early in life increases the risk of developing skin cancer later on. Repeated overexposure to ultraviolet rays can also scar, freckle, dry out, and wrinkle the skin prematurely. In addition, frequent overexposure to ultraviolet rays can increase the risk of developing eye cataracts and macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness.

What is UV light?

UV light is radiation energy in the form of invisible light waves. UV light is emitted by the sun and by tanning lamps.

The sun discharges three types of ultraviolet radiation: ultraviolet A (UV-A), ultraviolet B (UV-B), and ultraviolet C (UV-C). Only UV-A and UV-B reach earth. (UV-C does not penetrate the earth's upper atmosphere.)

Although research has long implicated UV-B as the most likely form of UV to damage the skin and cause skin cancer, recent studies suggest that UV-A may also be dangerous.

Tanning lamps also produce UV-A and/or UV-B. These artificial rays affect the skin in the same way as do UV-A and UV-B from the sun.

When and where are UV rays most intense?

UV rays are most intense at noon and the hours immediately before and after (between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.), particularly in the late spring, summer, and early autumn. Although they are less concentrated at other times of the day and year, UV can still damage the skin and eyes - even in the dead of winter.

UV rays also increase in intensity in relation to altitude and latitude. The higher the altitude, the greater is the concentration of UV rays. Likewise, the rays are more powerful the nearer the latitude to the equator.

UV rays "bounce" off reflective surfaces - including water, sand, and snow. Thus, a skier, swimmer, fisherman, or beachcomber may be bombarded with UV rays from above and below. Many an outdoors lover who skipped sunscreen has learned this lesson the hard way.

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