What Is a Sunburn?
A sunburn is a burn of the skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation, either from the sun or UV-emitting lamps (tanning saloons). It appears as a reddened and/or swollen, itchy, burning skin.
A sunburn occurs when sun exposure exceeds ability of skin pigment melanin to protect the skin.
On the cellular level, there is formation of sunburn toxins that cause skin inflammation, and decrease of Langerhans’ and mast cells (important immune cells).
