Sunburn occurs 2-6 hours after sun exposure and is most troublesome after 12-24 hours. The skin becomes red and tender and may blister. Eventually, the skin peels off. Some medications can increase susceptibility to sunburn, such as antibiotics, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and isotretinoin.
Sun rash typically appears several hours after sun exposure in the spring. The rash can be red and bumpy on the arms and chest, and it is less common on the face. It starts a few hours to a couple of days after sun exposure.
Skin conditions such as rosacea, lupus, or atopic eczema may worsen. Most skin conditions improve during the summer, but sometimes the sun can exacerbate the rashes. Lupus may present with a butterfly-shaped rash on the cheeks and nose.
Melasma causes brown patches (pigmentation) on the cheeks, temples, forehead, and around the mouth. The pigmentation may become more pronounced after a few days in the sun, but more commonly, the brown colour builds up over weeks. It often occurs in women who use birth control pills or are pregnant.
Age spots ("sunspots," "liver spots," lentigo). These are benign spots, usually round or oval, ranging from millimeters to centimeters in size. They are uniformly brown, yellow, or gray. They may fade slightly during winter.
Sun exposure, along with aging, genetics, and smoking, contributes to wrinkles. This is often seen together with uneven pigmentation and small blood vessels. Sunscreen and creams containing vitamin A can help reverse some of these sun damages.
Actinic keratosis (solar keratosis) appears on the face after the age of 40 and appears as white or red rough patches, resembling fine sandpaper. It is common to treat these, as actinic keratosis can occasionally progress, typically after several years, into squamous cell carcinoma.
Basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that presents as bumps and sores on the skin. It often starts as a crusted pimple that doesn't disappear after weeks or months. It grows slowly but should be treated before it becomes too large. It occurs most commonly after the age of5 0-60. Basal cell carcinomas are common.
Melanoma (mole cancer) typically appears as a spot or bump that is dark brown or black. It changes over months and years. Prompt medical examination is important, especially if there is rapid change in the spot/bump. Many cases of melanoma are diagnosed and treated in early stages and do not cause lasting health problems. However, sometimes melanoma can be deadly. The risk of all types of sun damage is reduced by using sunscreen, covering the skin with clothing, or keeping the skin in the shade.
