What Are the Health Risks of Sunburn and Sun Exposure?

August 31, 2023

Sun rays are enriched with Vitamin D, which is especially important for our muscles and skin but is dangerous as well. Direct and long-term exposure to sun rays causes sunburn to the exposed parts of your body.

Prolonged exposure to UV rays may cause skin cancer, dehydration, and discomfort. This is why it is crucial to balance its beneficial and harmful effects.

This article dives into the potential health risks of sunburn because of sun exposure. Let's explore the safety measures against the harmful effects of sun rays.

Skin Tanning

Skin tanning happens due to long-term exposure to the sun's UV rays. These UV rays of the sun produce more melanin in your body's skin, making it dark. Melanin only darkens your skin but cannot prevent cancer.

To avoid this, apply sunscreens available as creams and lotions. These sunscreens not only save your skin from tanning and cancer but also work as a moisturizer upon it.

Damage DNA of Skin Cells

UV rays of the sun directly target the DNA of the skin and cause wrinkles, premature aging, and other issues as well. This is why staying hydrated and avoiding long-term exposure to the sun is important.

After damaging the DNA of skin cells, these rays cause cancer that could take your life. These cancers include melanoma, basal cell, and squamous cell cancer.

Eye Damage

Prolonged exposure to UV rays of the sun may result in damaging your eye. These rays harm the soft tissues of your eye and damage your eyesight.

Cataracts, macular degradation, and other eye problems lead to mild to severe vision impairments. This is why sunglasses are recommended for the protection of your eyes.

Weakens Immune System

Excessive exposure to the sun's rays weakens your immune system, due to which it fails to detect and fight against cancerous cells. This way, cancerous cells easily spread throughout the body, and a person dies quickly.

Dehydration and Heatstroke

Without proper hydration and safety measurements, the sun's rays may cause heat stroke and related illnesses that can threaten your life. Therefore, using an umbrella or covering your head with a cap or a hat is recommended to stay safe from these potential threats.

Light Sensitivity Reactions

This is also known as drug-light interaction. Especially patients get exposed to this reaction because sunrays show their reactions with some medicines. Patients experience blisters, rashes, or hives on their skin.

If you experience any of the above issues, you must seek medical care immediately. Because some issues may become fatal by threatening your life.

Wrap-Up

Sunburn and excessive exposure are significant health risks. Sun protection measures, such as wearing protective clothing, broad-spectrum sunscreen, seeking shade, and staying mindful of peak hours, can mitigate risks and promote informed sun safety. This proactive approach ensures well-being and skin vitality for years to come.

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