What's Going Around | Sunburn

It’s summertime and the heat is on so it’s no surprise that What’s Going Around is sunburns. Over the past several weeks, physicians at AdventHealth Centra Care locations all over – have seen an increase in the number of patients with sunburn. Adults and children are experiencing second degree burns with blistering on large areas of the shoulder, back and face, all due to sun exposure.

Besides the pain that goes along with sunburn, one of the greatest risks of sunburn is skin cancer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, a person's risk for melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, doubles if they've had five or more sunburns. Since avoiding the sun completely isn’t a feasible option, do not forget your sunscreen. It’s an everyday, year-round necessity whether you're in your backyard or on a vacation.

Summer Sun Safety

• Wear a hat, sunglasses and protective clothing to shield sun.
• Use broad spectrum sunscreen with at least 15 SPF to protect exposed skin.
• Seek shade, especially during midday hours.
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours and after swimming, sweating, or toweling off.

There are some things you can do at home if you or your child gets a sunburn that doesn’t need medical attention. To ease the pain: apply wet, cool cloths on the burn for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day; apply lotion to soothe the skin; or take an over-the-counter pain reliever.