Sunburn

Overexposure to the sun or to the ultraviolet light in a tanning booth can result in a sunburn, which is a common but potentially dangerous condition in which the skin becomes red, painful to the touch and sometimes blisters and peels. A very bad sunburn may also be accompanied by a fever, chills and nausea in a condition known as sun poisoning. While a typical sunburn will go away on its own over time, it’s important to understand that skin cells damaged by the sun’s rays may be permanently changed, putting you at risk for skin cancer in the future. Children and babies have skin that is particularly susceptible to being sunburned, and should therefore always be protected with appropriate clothing and sunscreen while out of doors. You should see a doctor for your sunburn if it covers a large part of your skin; if you have a fever, chills, confusion or extreme pain; or if you’ve noticed signs of a skin infection such as pus or red streaks.