People tend to have a love affair with the sun, as they flock to the beach and purchase various bronzing agents to create the perfect tan. Unfortunately, the sun produces damaging ultraviolet rays that penetrate the layers of the skin to create various abnormalities. A rash, burn and an irregular mole are just some of the manifestations that can develop with with just enough sun exposure. Learn about the skin diseases that lead to those manifestations.
Sunburn
Manifestations of a sunburn include red and tender skin and skin blisters. Sometimes, the sun can actually cause a form of thermal poisoning that leads to such symptoms as a fever, nausea, chills and a rash. Over time, the dead skin layers will begin peeling. MedlinePlus states that the pain of sunburn is most excruciating 6 to 48 hours following skin exposure. In extreme cases, acute sun exposure has even led to death.
Serious manifestations of a sunburn include dehydration, shock and heat exhaustion. Symptoms of these conditions include fast breathing, a fast pulse, clammy or cool skin, eye light sensitivity, a rash and painful blisters.
Avoid sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., as these are the peak sun hours. Apply a liberal amount of sunblock daily. It is also important to wear protective clothing to avoid the sun's harmful rays.
Melanoma
The Mayo Clinic says that melanoma is the most severe skin cancer. Melanoma manifestations include an abnormally shaped mole that is altered in color. The mole is usually larger than 1/4 inch, and it continues to change and grow over time. The mole may also be itchy or scaly in nature, bleed or ooze and may become firm and lump-like.
It is important to note that melanoma can occur in the fingernails, eyes, digestive tract, mouth and vagina. Therefore, it is important to get annual physical exams so that a physician can thoroughly inspect the skin.
The Mayo Clinic says that treatment for melanoma involves surgical removal of the mole and chemotherapy or radiation treatment to destroy the abnormal cells. Sometimes, biological therapy such as interleukin-2 can be utilized to promote the immune cells to attack the cancerous ones. Clinical trials are also available that use gene therapy, vaccines and chemoimmunotherapy to treat melanoma.
Polymorphous Light Eruption
The Mayo Clinic indicates that polymorphous light eruption is a skin condition characterized by sun sensitivity (photosensitivity). Manifestations of this condition include itching, redness, skin blistering, tiny bumps, nausea, chills and a headache. Like sunburn, prevention of polymorphous light eruption involves avoiding the sun, applying sunblock and covering exposed parts of the body. The Mayo Clinic says that corticosteroid cream can be used to decrease inflammation.
