Sunburn

Aka: Sunburn, Sun Burn

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II. Signs

  1. Sufficient exposure to Ultraviolet Light
  2. Immediate erythema
    1. Occurs within minutes of exposure
    2. Fades within 30 minutes
  3. Delayed erythema
    1. Reappears 3 to 6 hours after exposure
    2. Peaks at 12 to 24 hours
    3. Persists for days
  4. Associated findings
    1. Edema
    2. Vesicles
    3. Desquamation often within 1 week

III. Management

  1. See Burn Management
  2. See Drug-induced Photosensitivity
  3. Treat as minor Burn Injury
  4. Cool wet compresses applied for 10-30 minutes
    1. Avoid ice due to Vasoconstriction and increased tissue injury
  5. Oral Analgesics
    1. NSAIDs
    2. Acetaminophen
  6. Skin protectants
    1. Skin Lubricants (e.g. Eucerin)
    2. Aloe Vera gel may be used if soothing
      1. However, aloe has no evidence-based benefit over other topicals
  7. Consider Topical Anesthetic for localized burn (Lidocaine preparations such as Lidocaine 4% patch)
    1. Do not apply to non-intact skin
    2. Avoid Benzocaine preparations (sensitizer)
  8. Avoid ineffective and potentially harmful agents
    1. Avoid topical or Systemic Corticosteroids
    2. Avoid Topical Antibiotics (e.g. neomycin) due to Contact Dermatitis risk
  9. Avoid home remedies
    1. Avoid applying butter
      1. Occlusive and may trap heat, increasing Burn Injury
    2. Avoid apple cider vinegar, buttermilk, lavender oil
      1. No evidence for benefit

IV. Prevention

  1. See Sunscreen
  2. See Sun Exposure

V. Complications

  1. Two Sunburns before age 18 predisposes to Melanoma

VI. References

  1. (2018) Presc Lett 25(8)
  2. Goroll (2000) Primary Care Medicine, p. 1065-6
  3. Habif (1996) Clinical Dermatology, Mosby, p.602-3
  4. Oakley (2022) Photosensitivity, StatPearls, Treasure Island, FL
    1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431072/

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Related Studies

Ontology: Sunburn (C0038814)

Definition (NCI) An inflammatory reaction from ultraviolet radiation characterized by transient redness, tenderness and occasional blistering.(NICHD)
Definition (MSH) An injury to the skin causing erythema, tenderness, and sometimes blistering and resulting from excessive exposure to the sun. The reaction is produced by the ultraviolet radiation in sunlight.
Definition (CSP) injury to the skin, with erythema, tenderness, and in some extreme cases blistering, following excessive exposure to sunlight; produced by ultraviolet rays not filtered out by clouds or water.
Concepts Injury or Poisoning (T037)
MSH D013471
ICD9 692.71
ICD10 L55 , L55.9
SnomedCT 156345009, 23346002, 267844006
English Sunburns, SUNBURN, Sunburn, Sunburn, unspecified, sunburn, sunburn (diagnosis), Solar sensitiveness, Sunburn [Disease/Finding], solar dermatitis, Burn(s);skin;sunburn, solar erythema, Erythema solare, Solar erythema, Sunburn (disorder), heat; sunburn, sunburn; heat, Sunburn NOS
Portuguese QUEIMADURA SOLAR, Hipersensibilidade solar, Queimadura solar, Queimadura Solar
Spanish QUEMADURA SOLAR, Sensibilidad solar, eritema solar, quemadura solar (trastorno), quemadura solar, Quemadura solar, Quemadura Solar
German SONNENBRAND, Sonnenempfindlichkeit, Dermatitis solaris acuta, nicht naeher bezeichnet, Dermatitis solaris acuta, Erythema solare, Sonnenbrand, Dermatitis solaris
Italian Ustione solare, Ipersensibilità solare, Eritema solare
Dutch zonneovergevoeligheid, hitte; zonnebrand, zonnebrand; hitte, Zonnebrand, niet gespecificeerd, zonnebrand, Zonnebrand
French Sensibilité au soleil, COUP DE SOLEIL, Héliodermite, Brûlure solaire, Érythème solaire, Coup de soleil
Japanese サンバーン, ｻﾝﾊﾞｰﾝ, 日光過敏症, ﾆｯｺｳｶﾋﾞﾝｼｮｳ
Czech spáleniny sluneční, Přecitlivělost na slunce, Spálenina od slunce
Finnish Auringonpolttama
Russian SOLNECHNYI OZHOG, ERITEMA SOLNECHNAIA, OZHOG SOLNECHNYI, ОЖОГ СОЛНЕЧНЫЙ, СОЛНЕЧНЫЙ ОЖОГ, ЭРИТЕМА СОЛНЕЧНАЯ
Korean 일광화상, 상세불명의 일광화상
Swedish Solskador
Polish Oparzenia słoneczne
Hungarian Solaris sensitivitas, Napégés
Norwegian Solbrenthet, Solforbrenning, Brannskader, sol
Derived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)

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