SUN BURNS

Differentiating between first and second degree burns

1st degree
- Superficial cells of epidermis
- Redness
- Mild pain
- No blistering
- Heals within 3-4 days
- No scaring
- Pealing present

2nd degree burns

- Superficial or deeper (into dermis)
- Redness present
- More severe pain cf 1st degree burn
- Blistering present with weeping
- Very sensitive to touch or stimuli
- Pealing present
- Heals within 3 weeks
- Not likely to scar (Unless severe burn)

Sunburn is a continuous process

- Erythema in 2-6 hrs (Heat and Redness)
- Burn process peaks at 12-24 hrs
- Resolve within 3 days (typically)

Treatment
- Aloe Vera Gel
o Soothing
o Moisturising ability
o Antiseptic properties
o As frequently as needed
o Can keep in fridge
o Can be applied to a variety of areas
o Cheap
o Many dosage forms
- Moisturiser
o Nourishment and hydration of skin
- Soove (topical anaesthetics)
 Limit use (can cause Absorption of anaesthetic)
 no more than 3- 4 times daily
 no more than 3-4 days
 don’t use on wide extensive areas or on broken skin
o Lignocaine
 Contact sensitisation low
 High systemic toxicity
 o Benzocaine
 Contact sensitisation high (more likely to cause allergic reactions)
 Not high systemic toxicity
- Hydrocortisone
o Not much use in Aus and NZ
o Limited to
 2-3 times daily
 No more than couple of days
- Dressing pads and paper tapes
o Reduce oozing
- Oral analgesics / anti inflammatory
o NSAIDS
 Ibuprofen
o Paracetamol
o Antihistamines For itching
 Drowsy if requiring for sleeping
 Fenergin

Complications of sunburn
- Infection
o Damage to primary defences increase susceptibility to infection by bacteria
o Exudate is sugary and is a good medium for bacteria to thrive
- Heat stroke
o Chills and fever / sweating
o Exhaustion
o NVD
o Refer to doctor (for hydration assessment)

Sunscreens
- Function to
o Block UV energy (UVA, UVB)
 UVB is more responsible for erythema (1000x times more likely to cause cf UVA)
 UVA more responsible for melanomas and ageing skin
- Zinc paste
o Total block of UV rays
o Confined to small areas
- Broad spectrum sunscreens
o Titanium dioxide
 Higher spf with more Titanium dioxide
o Other absorbers of UV energy (function to produce other wavelengths that are less
harmful)
 Formulations may contain several chemicals
 Each chemical different wavelengths
o NB storage conditions effect efficacy of the sunscreen, absorbers at work when cap
open. Also check expiry date
SPF: Sun protection factor
- SPF50+ highest in NZ
o Not allowed to market product above 50 (safe once a day)
- Dose of UV radiation required to produce one minimal erythema dose of the
application erythema / Dose needed to produce one minimal erythema dose
unprotected
o i.e ratio of time to produce same extent of burning after application of sun
protection

NB Reapply every 2hrs if sweating of swimming, otherwise every 4 hourly.

Photoallergic reactions
- immune response produced due to drug reaction with light sensitive drugs
o dissipation of UVA light by drug evokes memory response
Phototoxic reaction