The dermatologist talked about ways to minimize the effects of sunburn

With the onset of heat, more and more people go out to bask in the sun, but not all of them remember proper protection after a long winter. On May 24, Alexandra Fileva, a dermatologist and expert at the Hemotest laboratory, told Izvestia how to prevent, recognize and treat sunburn.

Excessive ultraviolet radiation not only causes painful damage, but also increases the risk of developing skin cancer — melanoma, the expert recalled.

"Sunburn in adults is manifested by redness, soreness and swelling of the skin, which can occur 2-6 hours after sun exposure. In children, the skin is more delicate, so the symptoms appear faster and are more pronounced. In severe cases, blisters filled with a clear liquid form, and body temperature may rise," Fileva said.

Burns in infants under one year of age and in people with fair skin (the first or second phototype) are particularly dangerous. Even a short stay in the sun without proper protection can cause serious damage, the specialist explained. She added that people who take certain antibiotics (tetracycline, doxycycline), antifungal or anti-inflammatory drugs are also at risk. These are photosensitizing drugs, they increase the skin's sensitivity to UV rays, the expert explained.

The expert also talked about how to provide first aid for burns. First of all, it is necessary to cool the skin with a compress, for example, a towel soaked in cool water. Then you should apply special anti-burn products with panthenol or aloe vera. It is important to avoid greasy creams and oils that create a film and impair heat transfer. It is necessary to drink more water to restore the water balance, and in case of severe pain, you can take paracetamol or ibuprofen, Fileva noted.

"You should consult a doctor if you experience extensive blisters, signs of infection (if pus appears in the wound, redness persists or increases), severe headache, nausea, confusion. Burns that occupy more than 10% of the body surface in children and 15% in adults are especially dangerous. In such cases, inpatient treatment may be required," she said.

Fileva reminded that in order to protect the skin from the sun, it is necessary to use sunscreens with an SPF of at least 30 for adults and 50 for children. Apply the cream 15-20 minutes before going out in the sun, waiting for it to be completely absorbed, and renew it every two hours and after each bath. During the period of maximum solar activity — from 11:00 to 16:00 — it is better to stay in the shade. Children under three years of age are advised to avoid direct sunlight altogether. The body must be covered with clothing, preferably made of natural fabric in light shades, and wear hats and sunglasses with a UV filter.

"It is important to understand that there is no such thing as a safe tan. Each sunburn increases the risk of premature skin aging and the development of cancer. Repeated burns in childhood are especially dangerous.: they increase the likelihood of melanoma several times in the future," the expert concluded.

On May 17, Zarema Omarova, a dermatologist, cosmetologist, and co-owner of Dr. Omarov's clinic network, told Izvestia about skin and hair protection during the period of solar activity. According to her, insufficient UV protection can lead to burns in the short term, and in the long term — to premature skin aging (photoaging), disorders of cellular processes and even the development of cancer.