It also discusses some of the ways sun-related conditions can be treated.
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Sunburn
Sunburn is a common skin injury.
It is sparked by excess exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
Science Photo Library / Getty Images
The injury happens when UV radiation directly damages theDNAin skin cells, triggering aninflammatory response.
The damaged cells die and shed, which is what causes the peeling and flaking of skin.
Second-degree sunburnsare more serious.
DermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
Symptoms include:
When You’re at Risk
Sunburns don’t only happen on hot summer days.
you might get a sunburn even on a snowy or overcast day.
you’ve got the option to reduce your risk by usingsunscreenand sun-protective clothing.
Remember that it only takes 15 minutes of direct sun exposure to cause a sunburn.
If blisters form, do not break them.
Dehydration
Dehydrationoccurs when your body loses too many fluids or electrolytes.
This can interfere with your normal body functions.
The best way to avoid dehydration is to drinkbeforeyou get thirsty.
Recap
Dehydration happens when your body loses more fluids and electrolytes than it takes in.
Hyponatremia
The opposite of dehydration ishyponatremia.
This is sometimes also called “water intoxication.”
Dehydration isn’t just water loss.
When you’re dehydrated, yourelectrolytesalso become imbalanced.
Severe cases need to be treated by emergency care providers.
These cases are usually treated with a 3% saline solution delivered into a vein.
Drinking too much water when you’re dehydrated can cause water intoxication.
To avoid this, replace fluids with an electrolyte-rich sports drink.
Heat Exhaustion
Dehydration with prolonged sun or heat exposure can causeheat exhaustion.
Risk of Heat Exhaustion
Dehydration and obesity greatly increase the risk of heat exhaustion.
Other factors that can contribute include:
Babies and the elderly are at greatest risk.
This is because their bodies aren’t as good at adjusting to temperature changes.
Left untreated, heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke.
Heatstroke
Heatstroke is also known as sunstroke.
It is a more severe form of heat exhaustion.
When you have heatstroke, your body’s core temperature exceeds 104.
Heatstroke causes more than 600 deaths in the United States each year.
On a hot day, temperatures inside a parked car can quickly climb to 124 to 153.
Heatstroke Symptoms
Symptoms of heatstroke are more profound than heat exhaustion.
They can differ based on whether you have exertional or classic heatstroke.
For example, sweating is typical with exertional heatstroke but not with classic heatstroke.
Other symptoms may include:
As symptoms advance, skin can suddenly take on a bluish tinge.
This happens as blood vessels narrow and restrict blood flow and oxygen exchange.
Left untreated, heatstroke can lead to:
Treating Heatstroke
Heatstroke is an emergency.
Treatment involves:
Heat stroke is the most severe form of heat exhaustion.
It can happen when you overexert yourself in hot weather or are exposed to extremely hot conditions.
If you suspect heatstroke, seek medical care at once.
Summary
Too much time in the hot sun can lead to a number of health conditions.
This includes sunburn, dehydration, hyponatremia, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke.
you’ve got the option to avoid these conditions by taking the right precautions.
Use sunscreen and sun-protective clothing.
Replace lost fluids and electrolytes with a sports drink.
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