Sunburn: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

The first thing you notice about someone when you meet them is their hair. Like one’s skin, one needs to take care of their hair. Read more about the scalp sunburn treatment. 

Dermatologist says that people apply sunscreens on their face and body but fail to do the same on their scalp. If no care is provided for the hair, over time you can notice pain and irritation in the area. When you start feeling uncomfortable while brushing your hair it is the initial symptom indicating your scalp got sunburned and needs special care. 

Causes of Sunburn

Prolonged exposure to UV radiation, causes severe sunburn and results in various health issues. Sources of UV radiation are the 

Natural source

• Sun is the major exposure to UV radiation

Artificial sources

• Tanning beds
• Particular types of lasers
• Fluorescent, halogen, and incandescent lights
• Mercury vapor lighting

Types of UV radiation

UV radiation is classified into 3 types, based on their wavelength. 

• ultraviolet A (UVA),
• ultraviolet B (UVB),
• ultraviolet C (UVC),

UVA and UVB reach the earth and both can penetrate the human skin and causes damage. UVC doesn’t enter the earth’s surface. 

Sunburn on the scalp symptoms

Some of the major symptoms of sunburn are, 

• Continuous irritation on the scalp
• Itching, dryness, redness
• Hair fall
• Headache
• Fever
• Causes dehydration such as dry mouth and fatigue
• Premature aging of the skin

Risk factor

Prolonged exposure to UV radiation causes serious health issues such as skin cancer. So, protecting your hair and scalp from uv-raysis very essential. 

Benefits of sun exposure

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), absorbing the sun rays for at least 5 to 15 minutes about two to three times a week is good for the skin and body. The main source of vitamin D is from the sun. 

Sunburned scalp prevention

To avoid major health issues and to be healthy proper protection from UV radiation must be required, 

• Plan the day accordingly if you already know that you will spend most of the time in sun exposure.
• Sunglasses play an important role, that can protect your eyes.
• Protect and take care of children and toddlers.
• Take a shower with chilled water
• Use herbal shampoos or powders instead of chemically filled shampoos.
• Use coconut oil at least 2 to 3 times a week, it helps in reducing the heat in the body and makes it cool.

Apply Sunscreen

• Use a sunscreen that can protect both UVA and UVB. The sunscreen must be of SPF of at least 30.
• Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you leave the house.
• Frequently apply sunscreen every two hours.
• When you wear makeup, put sunscreen first and then foundation or any other cream to enhance the glow.

If you can feel the noticeable symptoms, make sure to consult a dermatologist to know more about the treatment. 

Scalp sunburn treatment

Home remedies

• Try a cold compress or cold water to reduce the pain and temperature.
• Use creams or gels: aloe vera gel has natural soothing properties.
• Stay hydrated: drink plenty of water or any fresh juices to ease the temperature, and avoid caffeine as well as alcohol.

Treatment

For severe cases, doctors may recommend oral steroid medication, which are anti-inflammatory medicines to treat the causes.