How can we protect ourselves from sunburn?
The best way to prevent sunburn is to be exposed to sunlight for as short a time as possible.
To protect yourself, it is necessary to avoid the midday sun from 11 am to 5 pm when it is strongest.
Are there other forms of protection?
Other ways to protect yourself from the sun include wearing protective clothing such as
· Hat with a rim width of 4 that covers the neck, ears, eyes and hair
· Sunglasses with UV protection
· Wear suitable woven clothing that covers the arms and legs. (Some stores sell clothing with a SUNprotective factor).
Što možete reći o umjetnim izvorima svjetlosti – solarijima?
Do notuse artificial light sources for tanning, as artificial tanning devices can cause skin damage and increase the risk of getting skin tumors.
How to prevent burns in children?
Children should be protected from the sun while they are still babies. Children spend a lot of time playing outdoors and in the first 18 years are largely exposed to the sun, so the following rules should be followed:
· Keep babies under 6 months of age away from the sun, but a small amount on the face or parts of the hands is not harmful.
· Teach children the alphabet how to protect their skin from getting burns:
· A = Away. Stay away from sunlight in the middle of the day (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
· B = Block. Use sunscreens with a protection factor of at least 15.
· C = Cover up. (overlap). Put clothes that cover the child, a wide-brimmed hat and glasses with UV protection. A child from 1 year of age should already have UV protection.
· S = Speak out. Teach others to protect their skin from sun damage.
When and how to use sunscreen?
If you can’t avoid exposure to sunlight, use sunscreen.
· Sunscreens should have a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 or higher. Sunscreens that have a “broad spectrum” can protect the skin from ultraviolet A and B (UVA and UVB) rays. Sunscreens come in the form of lotions, gels, creams and ointments.
· Apply sunscreen to all parts of the body that will be exposed to the sun including the nose, ears, neck, scalp and lips. Protective creams should be applied evenly over the skin and reach the edges of the lips.
· During sunbathing, apply sunscreen every two to three hours, and apply them after bathing or heavy sweating. SPF usefulness decreases if a person sweats heavily or is in water because water reduces protection. Sun protection is also influenced by wind, humidity and the angle of incidence of light.
· Use a lip balm or cream that has a SPF of 30 to protect your lips from getting burns or developing pain.
What is worth protecting when bathing?
– Some sunscreens are waterproof and offer protection during bathing for up to 40 minutes
– When bathing, apply sunscreen much more often.
– Moist skin is easier to become inflamed, so it is important to protect it even if you do not feel burns.
– When swimming, wear a T-shirt because water often does not protect enough.
What else can you recommend as protection from sunlight:
· Young people should use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30
· Anyone with sensitive skin that is easily reddened should use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30
· If you have dryskin, use a cream or lotion with a protective factor
· If you have oilyskin or work in dusty or sandy conditions, use a gel that dries the skin.
· If the skin is sensitive, use protection that is free of chemicals and alcohol
· If you have had an allergic reaction to sunscreen, look for one that does not contain preservatives and fragrances because they can cause allergies.
· If you sunbathe intensely for a long time, use physical sun protection factors such as zinc oxide and the like.
· If you need sunscreen and insect repellents, do not use a cream that combines the two. Apply sunscreen first and then apply insect repellents. Sunscreen requires to be reapplied every 2 hours.
Can sunburn be a reason to go to the doctor urgently?
If any of your loved ones have any of the following symptoms, call an ambulance.
· Unconsciousness
· Cramps
· Elevated temperature after exposure to a hot environment
· Confusion or anxiety
· Fast heartbeat
· Heavy sweating or no sweating
· Red, warm and dry skin
· Vomiting and diarrhea
– Serious allergic reactions occur with difficulty breathing, swelling of the mouth and / or larynx and are also a reason to see a doctor.
Can we treat mild burns on our own, at home?
The following applies to home treatment of burns:
• Apply cold compresses to the burnt area
• Use cold showers or baths often
• Apply neutral creams or lotions such as aloe vera.
• Topical steroids such as 1% hydrocortisone cream can help with pain and swelling.
Sunburn can cause a mild fever and a headache then what do we have to do ?.
- Lie down in a cool, quiet room to get rid of headaches.
- Headaches can be caused with dehydration so drinking a drinkcan help.
- Use local dehydrators (cold compresses)
- Home treatments such as baths or chamomile wraps can also help
Are there medications to reduce these symptoms?
Over-the-counter medications that reduce pain and fever are as follows:
• Acetaminophen in pharmacies comes under the name Panadol
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) eg:
-Ibuprofen
-Noproxen
• Aspirin (also a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug)
Observe the following safety precautions when using the medication:
• Read and follow all instructions on the medicine bottle and box carefully
• Do not take more than the recommended dose
• Do not take the medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to these medicines
• If you have been told to avoid medicines, consult your doctor before consuming them
• If you may become pregnant, do not use other medicines until your doctor tells you to
• Do not give aspirin to people under the age of 20 before consulting a doctor.
Can antioxidants serve as sun protection?
Antioxidantsare substances that can prevent serious reactions in the body and one of them is the formation of potentially dangerous molecules called free radicals. Free radicals can be caused by damage caused by the sun’s rays.
Antioxidants are natural agents that can prevent their formation. Oral or topical antioxidants (vitamins A, C, E, green tea, olive oil) can theoretically protect the skin from the sun’s rays, but clinical trials cannot justify their use for now.
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In short: The best way to prevent sunburn is to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. UVB and UVA rays can cause skin damage, and protective creams and wearing clothing are important measures in preventing them. Apply sunscreen before leaving the house, apply it liberally, and reapply often
Keywords: Burns, sunlight protection, sunscreen creams, antioxidants
Did you know: Sunburns can cause permanent skin damage that can manifest as skin aging or the formation of skin tumors.
