Sun- overexposure
In susceptible persons, temporary injury to the skin, similar to what is caused by excessive heat, results from exposure to the ultraviolet rays of sunlight. The degree of injury to the skin depends on the concentration of ultraviolet rays in the sunlight, on the duration of the exposure, and on the amount of pigment within the skin of the individual. Blonds and redheads are particularly susceptible. On repeated exposure to sunlight, most persons develop an increased amount of pigment in the skin (suntan) and thus become less susceptible to sunburn while the excess pigmentation lasts.
Ultraviolet rays (the sunburn producing component) are screened out by window glass and, somewhat, by smoke and smog. The ordinary cloudy overcast does not filter out these rays, however, and a person may receive a very severe sunburn on a cloudy day. Many fail to protect themselves against sunburn because they do not realize the seriousness of this skin injury. In severe cases there is swelling of the deeper skin tissues and tenderness, with formation of blisters. In very severe cases, particularly when large portions of the body surface are involved, there will be symptoms of generalized illness such as chills and fever, weakness and even shock.
For the treatment of sunburn, See Heat Cramps | Heat Exhaustion or Heat Prostration | Heatstroke or Sunstroke.
