Did you know that serious sunburns can lead to skin cancer? What is the issue with sunburn? Each time you get sunburned, the risk of skin cancer goes up. In fact, if you get a number of sunburns as a child, your risk of skin cancer as an adult goes up.1 Sunburns at any age are not good for your skin or your health.
The rate of people who get sunburned each year is too high. It is estimated that that forty-two percent of the population gets sunburned each year.2
Sunburns and Skin Cancer
Dermatologists and cancer specialists divide skin cancers into different categories. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are nonmelanoma skin cancers. Melanoma is more dangerous.
Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma should be taken seriously. These two skin cancers result from sun exposure accumulated throughout your lifetime. These skin cancers like to appear on exposed areas such as the face, the arms, the hands, and the ears. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma can also show up on parts of the body you normally keep hidden from the sun – but this is rarer.3
Melanoma is different from these two skin cancers and far more dangerous. If left untreated it can spread to other parts of the body. As opposed to a buildup of sun exposure over the years, melanoma is the result of brief but intense sun exposure that results in sunburns.4
Melanoma begins in the melanocytes – cells that produce melanin in your body. The tumors are frequently brown or black but they can be a light pink, tan, or white. This form of cancer originates on the chest or back of men and on the legs of women. However, it can also form on other areas of the body. If you have dark skin you will have less chance of melanoma but there is still an opportunity that it may occur.5
Photosensitivity and Sunburn 
Photosensitivity and sunburn is a big topic of study for dermatologists and cancer experts. Anyone will get a sunburn if they are exposed to UV rays for a long period of time. Studies are finding what you may have known all along – many people are very susceptible to sunburns. How do you know if you are experiencing photosensitivity? The most common symptoms are a red skin rash, blisters, scaly skin, and raised spots on areas of the skin that have been exposed to the sun.6 These symptoms may last for several days.
Photosensitivity and sunburn is a big topic of study for dermatologists and cancer experts. Anyone will get a sunburn if they are exposed to UV rays for a long period of time. Studies are finding what you may have known all along – many people are very susceptible to sunburns. How do you know if you are experiencing photosensitivity? The most common symptoms are a red skin rash, blisters, scaly skin, and raised spots on areas of the skin that have been exposed to the sun. 6 These symptoms may last for several days.
How Does Sunburn Effect Children?
With First Lady Michelle Obama’s push to encourage a healthy lifestyle for children and teens, more and more of our youth are spending time outside. This is wonderful news. They are getting out from in front of the television, from behind the game controller, from the computer, and playing or getting exercise with social contact. In addition to these positive benefits we must ensure our children are safe while outside. If they do not have correct sun protection they will get burned and increase their risk of skin cancer later in life.
A young child or teen who has just one, (or more), sunburn during childhood – a severe sunburn resulting in blistered skin – increases their risk of developing melanoma.7 A child with a severe sunburn may double his or her risk of skin cancer, according to the Fallon Clinic.
What You Can Do
Be proactive. Protect yourself and your family. You can take simple measures to protect your loved ones from sunburn now and skin cancer in the future.
- Limit the time you are exposed to UV rays during peak times (10a.m.-3p.m.)
- Wear protective clothing, hats with wide brims
- Invest in UV protective clothing that is rated, similar to sunscreen, to protect your skin
- Wear sunglasses
- Wear sunscreen
Because it is likely that most people will get at least one sunburn during their lifetime it is important to know how to treat a sunburn. First, as soon as you feel the first hint of a sunburn – the tingling feeling – or see redness, start treating your skin. The number one thing you can do to treat sunburn is to moisturize your skin with a soothing cream or lotion. You might consider a product that aloe, vitamin C or vitamin E as some studies show these vitamins help reduce skin damage. Hydrocortisone can help. Aloe gels are also calming to the skin.
As the skin reddens it will dry out. All of the moisture is drawn from your body. You will need to replenish your body’s water supply. Do this by drinking water every day.
Medication may be necessary, especially in children. Some sunburns are so severe they are painful. You can give a child or an adult ibuprofen to keep the pain down and help keep the swelling down as well.
Sunburns are dangerous. They are not worth the bronze skin your may or may not achieve from laying out in the sun. There are excellent alternatives in sunless tanning creams that require no UV exposure. Take care of your skin; protect the skin of your children and reduce the number of sunburns and skin cancers that occur each year.
References
1 Skin Cancer Risk Factors. (2011). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved at: www.skincancer.org/facts-about-sunburn-and-skin-cancer.html
2 Ibid
3 Ibid
4 Ibid
5 What You Need to Know About Melanoma and Other Skin Cancers. (2011).National Cancer Institute. Retrieved from: www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/skin/page4
6 Sun Safety. (2011). KidsHealth. Retrieved from: kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/outdoor/sun_safety.html
7 Children and Sunburn A Dangerous Combination. (2007). Fallon Clinic: www.fallonclinic.com/internet/medical/index.aspx?PAGE=dermatology/childrenSunburn&LEVEL1=
medical&LEVEL2=specialties
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