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Sunburn is a burn to living tissue, such as skin, produced by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, commonly from the sun’s rays. Normal symptoms consist of red or reddish skin that is hot to the touch, general fatigue, and mild dizziness.

Source: Wikipedia

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  • Sunburn @ MayoClinic.com

    Excerpt: When you’re exposed to UV light, your skin accelerates its production of melanin. Melanin is the dark pigment in the epidermis that gives your skin its normal color. The extra melanin — produced to protect the skin’s deeper layers — creates the darker color of a “tan.” A suntan is actually your body’s way of blocking the UV rays to prevent sunburn and other skin damage. But the protection only goes so far. The amount of melanin a person produces is determined genetically, and many people simply can’t produce enough melanin to protect the skin well. Eventually, UV light causes the skin to burn, bringing pain, redness and swelling.


  • Causes of sunburn @ NHS Choices

    Excerpt: The sun produces three different types of UV rays: UVA rays – these are less potent that UVB rays but penetrate deeper into the skin, damaging the middle layer (dermis) which contains tissues that give the skin its elasticity. Prolonged exposure to UVA rays can age the skin prematurely. UVB rays – these UV rays are absorbed by the top layer of skin (epidermis). The epidermis releases chemicals that cause the pain, swelling and redness associated with sunburn. UVC rays are filtered by the earth’s atmosphere, which means that protection against this type of radiation is not required.

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