Highlights & Basics
- Sunburn is an acute inflammatory skin condition characterized by erythema, edema, vesiculation, and desquamation, with associated symptoms of pain and/or pruritus.
- Sunburn is a major preventable risk factor for accelerated photoaging and most common forms of skin cancer.
- The disease typically runs a self-limited course and is treated symptomatically.
- Education about future sunburn prevention via sun avoidance during peak daylight hours and the use of protective clothing/sunscreen are key interventions.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
Other Factors
Diagnostics Tests
Treatment Options
Definition
Epidemiology
Etiology
Pathophysiology
Citations
Fitzpatrick TB. The validity and practicality of sun-reactive skin types I through VI. Arch Dermatol. 1988 Jun;124(6):869-71.[Abstract]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sunburn and sun protective behaviors among adults aged 18-29 years--United States, 2000-2010. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2012;61:317-322.[Abstract][Full Text]
Han A, Maibach, HI. Management of acute sunburn. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2004;5:39-47.[Abstract]
US Preventive Services Task Force. Recommendation Statement. Behavioral Counseling to Prevent Skin Cancer. Mar 2018 [internet publication].[Full Text]
1. Fitzpatrick TB. The validity and practicality of sun-reactive skin types I through VI. Arch Dermatol. 1988 Jun;124(6):869-71.[Abstract]
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sunburn and sun protective behaviors among adults aged 18-29 years--United States, 2000-2010. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2012;61:317-322.[Abstract][Full Text]
3. Brown TT, Quain RD, Troxel AB, et al. The epidemiology of sunburn in the US population in 2003. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006;55:577-583.[Abstract]
4. Cokkinides V, Weinstock M, Glanz K, et al. Trends in sunburns, sun protection practices, and attitudes toward sun exposure protection and tanning among US adolescents, 1998-2004. Pediatrics. 2006;118:853-864.[Abstract]
5. James WD, Berger TD, Elston DM. Andrews' diseases of the skin: clinical dermatology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2006.
6. Ziegler A, Jonason AS, Leffell DJ, et al. Sunburn and p53 in the onset of skin cancer. Nature. 1994;372:773-776.[Abstract]
7. Bolognia, JL, Jorizzo JL, Rapini RP. Dermatology. 1st ed. London, UK: Mosby; 2003.
8. Van Laethem A, Claerhout S, Garmyn M, et al. The sunburn cell: regulation of death and survival of the keratinocyte. Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2005;37:1547-1553.[Abstract]
9. Han A, Maibach, HI. Management of acute sunburn. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2004;5:39-47.[Abstract]
10. US Preventive Services Task Force. Recommendation Statement. Behavioral Counseling to Prevent Skin Cancer. Mar 2018 [internet publication].[Full Text]
11. Zitser BS, Shah AN, Adams ML, et al. A survey of sunbathing practices on three Connecticut state beaches. Conn Med. 1996;60:591-594.[Abstract]
12. Hall HI, May DS, Lew RA, et al. Sun protection behaviors of the US white population. Prev Med. 1997;26:401-407.[Abstract]
13. Wright WW, Wright ST, Wagner RF. Mechanisms of sunscreen failure. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2001;44:781-784.[Abstract]
14. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. February 2016. Sunlight exposure: risks and benefits. Available at https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng34 (accessed on 7 July 2017).[Full Text]
15. Whiteman DC, Neale RE, Aitken J, et al. When to apply sunscreen: a consensus statement for Australia and New Zealand. Aust N Z J Public Health. 2019 Apr;43(2):171-175.[Abstract][Full Text]
16. Brinker TJ, Faria BL, de Faria OM, et al. Effect of a Face-Aging Mobile App-Based Intervention on Skin Cancer Protection Behavior in Secondary Schools in Brazil: A Cluster-Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Dermatol. 2020 Jul 1;156(7):737-745.[Abstract][Full Text]
17. Goldfelder KL, Levin JM, Katz KA, et al. Ultraviolet recall reaction after total body irradiation, etoposide, and methotrexate therapy. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007;56:494-499.[Abstract]
18. Hettiaratchy S, Papini R. Initial management of a major burn: II - assessment and resuscitation. BMJ. 2004 Jul 10;329(7457):101-3.[Abstract][Full Text]
19. Berg AO. Screening for skin cancer: recommendations and rationale. Am J Nurs. 2004;104:87-91.[Abstract]
20. Cox NH, Sharpe G. Emollients, salicylic acid, and ultraviolet erythema. Lancet. 1990;335:53-54.[Abstract]
21. Heggie S, Bryant GP, Tripcony L, et al. A phase III study on the efficacy of topical aloe vera gel on irradiated breast tissue. Cancer Nurs. 2002; 25:442-451.[Abstract]
22. Crowell J, Hilsenbeck S, Penneys N. Aloe vera does not affect cutaneous erythema and blood flow following ultraviolet B exposure. Photodermatol. 1989;6:237-239.[Abstract]
23. Ferreira M, Teixeira M, Silva E, et al. Allergic contact dermatitis to aloe vera. Contact Dermatitis. 2007:57:278-279.[Abstract]
24. Cusano F, Luciano S. Contact dermatitis from pramoxine. Contact Dermatitis. 1993;28:39.[Abstract]
25. Parsons L. Office management of minor burns. Lippincotts Prim Care Pract. 1997;1:40-49.[Abstract]
26. Griglak MJ. Thermal injury. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 1992;10:369-383.[Abstract]
27. Autier P, Boniol M, Dore JF. Sunscreen use and increased duration of intentional sun exposure: still a burning issue. Int J Cancer. 2007;121:1-5.[Abstract]
28. D'Souza G, Evans GR. Mexoryl: a review of an ultraviolet A filter. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2007;120:1071-1075.[Abstract]
29. US Food and Drug Administration. Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun. Aug 2019 [internet publication].[Full Text]
30. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA advances new proposed regulation to make sure that sunscreens are safe and effective. Feb 2019 [internet publication]. [Full Text]
31. Morison W. Photoprotection by clothing. Dermatol Ther. 2003;16:16-22.[Abstract]
32. Derancourt C, Bourdon-Lanoy E, Grob JJ, et al. Multiple large solar lentigos on the upper back as clinical markers of past severe sunburn: a case-control study. Dermatology. 2007;214:25-31.[Abstract]
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