Sunburn - Risks of sunburn
There are a number of risks associated with prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays.
The risks include:
- premature ageing of the skin and wrinkling (caused by UVA rays)
- solar keratoses – rough, scaly spots on the skin
- infection – severe blistering from sunburn can cause infection if bacteria gets into breaks in the skin
- photokeratitis, or snow blindness – prolonged exposure to intense sunlight can cause the eyes to become painfully sensitive, but it can be prevented by wearing sunglasses or goggles with UV filters
- skin cancer – people who have been exposed to a lot of ultraviolet light have a higher risk of developing both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer
Skin cancer
Exposure to UV rays increases your chances of developing skin cancer. Each year, more than 70,000 cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the UK. Sun exposure is thought to be responsible for most cases.
Certain people are more at risk of developing skin cancer as a result of prolonged exposure to the sun. People with an increased risk are:
- those with very fair skin that burns easily
- those who have had several cases of sunburn during childhood
- those with a family history of skin cancer
- those with lots of moles on their body (more than 50)
- those who are being treated with immunosuppressant medication
You can reduce your risk of developing skin cancer by protecting your skin with sunscreen.
Read more about protecting your skin and sun safety in general.
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