If you’ve ever spent time at the beach, or outside hiking and playing sports out in the sun, you’ve probably gotten a sunburn.
But…what exactly is a sunburn and what types of sunburn we know?
Sunburn is an inflammatory response of your skin when there’s too much exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR).
It doesn’t matter if it’s from sunlight or tanning beds, this is how your body reacts to excessive ultraviolet radiation.
According to the 2010 National Health Interview Survey 35.3% of adults reported being sunburned in the previous year.
Many sunburns may cause your skin to peel or blister but some can even be more severe and painful, forcing you to stay in bed all day from the discomfort.
These unfortunate symptoms of a sunburn are just one reason why it’s so important to put on sunscreen before spending extended time out in the sun: it’s also important to protect your skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays that can cause skin cancer in the future.
And although your health is more important than your looks, no one wants to walk around bright red like a lobste
When you’re traveling, it can be easy to forget to take precautions for a sunburn.
There is so much to do and so much to see that it may distract you from realizing how long you are in the sun or how it may affect you.
If you do get a sunburn, it’s important to know the severity of the burn and what steps to take next so it can heal.
Let’s take a look at four types of sunburn and how to tell them apart.
When you're traveling, it can be easy to forget to take precautions for a sunburn
The least harmful burn is the first-degree burn, also called superficial skin burn. This burn makes your skin red, dry, and painful when you touch it. This is the most common type of sunburn and can heal within 3 to 6 days.
The second-degree type of burn, also called superficial partial-thickness burn, effects the top two layers of your skin. It will hurt if the temperature changes or if you touch it. You may see blisters appear on your burn, which hold leak fluid. This type of sunburn will heal in 7 to 21 days and the color of the original skin may be lighter or darker. You might develop a scar with this type of burn.
The third-degree burn, also called deep partial-thickness burn, is deeper than the second-degree burn and is more severe. This burn will most definitely give you blisters and takes even longer to heal. This burn will give you a scar if it doesn’t heal by the 21st day.
The last type of burn is very serious and to be avoided at all costs. This is the fourth-degree burn, also called full-thickness burn, and it would be treated like a surgery. It affects all the layers of skin and possibly the fat and muscle underneath as well. This burn makes the skin turn a different color, normally white, grey, or black! You could end up in the hospital for days taking medications. To say this would put a damper on your vacation would be an understatement – this type of burn can cause severe long term damage to your skin.
Sunburn damage may cause different types of sunburn ranging from very mild redness to excruciating vast burn with blistering but rarely reaches the deep-partial thickness type of burn.
Livia is an Italian-American writer who grew up moving around the world. She has traveled to over 30 countries and lived in Washington DC, Peru, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Turkey before moving back to Rome in 2010.
We’ve put together this guide to help you stay healthy and confident during your Italian trip. Discover how to address common health issues faced by travellers and how Doctorsa’s online urgent care services can provide immediate support if needed. Our goal is to help you enjoy every moment of your vacation as a tourist without worry.
The generosity of mankind is unmeasurable. Seriously. During these mirthless times, DoctorsinItaly received a large number of thoughtful, heartwarming messages from all over the world
Both herpes and HPV tend to be associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs), but how are they different? Dr. Rasanathan, MD, answers some questions about these
You are about to land in Rome, at the end of a long flight, ready to enjoy the city tours and the local Dolce Vita.
How will I manage to walk around Rome all day, if I feel the urge to stop at every single public bathroom on the way?
Can a sore throat ruin my vacation? Your so longed for Italian gateway is just a few days away. Soon, you will be wandering around
Made with a steady supply of ☕ by Doctor Today
Doctors in Italy enables providers to deliver telehealth services and allows travelers to connect with licensed providers. Doctors in Italy does not provide medical advice, own or operate medical practices, or supervise clinicians. Get more information about the relationship between Doctorsa and the medical providers.