Show MEDIC MEDICALLY ALL y SPEWING I By br I rl David avld Evans Venial Venal Family Health Center Sunburn-ouch Sunburn By Margaret Greenwood How are arc sunburns sunburn I caused and how can they be prevented R R. W W. Maeser Ultraviolet radiation from the sun or light sources is responsible for sunburns Ten percent of this ultraviolet light penetrates into the dermis the upper layer of the skin skink Other types of radiation from the sun are also absorbed by the skin and if these are intense enough or if exposure is long enough redness and burning can be seen This type of burning is different from sunburn because it is due to generated heat rather than a photochemical reaction which is how sunburn is caused AFTER TilE THE initial exposure to sun a la latent tent period of several hours is followed by a red painful inflammation of the upper layer of the skin This reaction of the skin and the sunlight produces an allergic allergic- type reaction which leads to peeling and changing of the skin color The same type of light that is responsible for sunburns is also responsible for suntans but the only way to get the tanning effect without burning is through short repetitive exposures exposures ex to the sun while Using moisturizing agents during and after sunbathing Currently the best available agents include opaque materials such as zinc oxide para para acid PAllA esters of PAM PAllA and the The opaque agents are very good for small areas ie i.e. nose or lips lip but are not practical for application to large areas of the body PAllA is the most effective sunscreen but its major drawback is its tendency to stain fabrics The esters of PAllA Sea and Ski are effective but offer less complete protection from sunburn than PADA The esters do not stain fabrics and are more easily washed off by salt and water The Uval and other agents are effective effective ef ef- ef in protecting the skin from sunburns because they can absorb the harmful wavelengths from the sun agents block penetration by ultraviolet light and should be used after limited exposure to the sun before burning begins Dr Evans will answer questions of general interest through this column If you have any comments or questions please send them to the Vernal Express |