NHS Choices Condition
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Sunburnt skin is red and sore. It is warm to the touch, even after attempts to cool it with water or by moving into the shade. After a few days the redness may fade into a tan, or in very fair people with little melanin pigment in the skin, it may just return to white.
The skin may also flake or peel after a number of days. This is the body's way of protecting itself: the skin cells have been damaged and are at risk of becoming cancerous, so your body sheds them.
Dark skin can also burn and become damaged if exposed to enough UV light. However, because it contains more pigment, it can tolerate sunlight without burning for longer than paler skin.
The symptoms of sunburn are not usually immediately obvious, and the worst pain occurs six to 48 hours after being in the sun.
Severe sunburn
Severe sunburn can cause:
- blistering,
- swelling of the skin, and
- fever.
There may also be symptoms of heatstroke, such as:
- dizziness,
- headaches, and
- nausea.
Go to our topic on heatstroke for more information.
view information about Sunburn on www.nhs.co.uk »Important Notice
The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.
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