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How to avoid sunburns
The best way to avoid sunburn is to take appropriate preventive measures before they occur. Among them we can mention:
Use a proper solar filter
Sunscreens with a minimum factor of 15, should be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure. They must be re-applied every two hours or every hour and a half after being in the water. You must also re-apply them after rubbing with a towel or after sweating a lot.
Apply sunscreen on all exposed parts of skin, including those which may be below the water as sun rays pass through it easily. It should be noted that sunscreens do not protect 100% of ultraviolet rays and the only complete protection against the sun’s harmful effects is to avoid full exposure. (See information on this subject in the listing above)
– Do not expose yourself to the sun too long, especially during the early days, when the skin is not accustomed.
The first exposure should not exceed 15 minutes, regardless of skin type. Expose yourself gradually increasing time exposition a little bit each day.
Take special protection when going to the mountains
As we go up from sea level, solar radiation increases, so we must take into account that sun exposure in elevated places is more dangerous than near the sea. Mountaineers, excursionists o any person climbing or staying in high places must take the suitable measures.
Don’t forget that snow reflects sun rays more than grass or ground. Special protections for the bare skin or eyes must be done for people walking on the snow, skiing or practicing any activity on this white surface.
Other protection measures
– Especial protection must be considered when taking certain medications, especially those containing hormones – acne medications, pill against pregnancy -, antibiotics, medicines for hypertension or diabetes, etc., can sensitize the skin making this more easily react against solar radiation.
– Young children up to 6 months should not be exposed to sunlight. Their skin does not have adequate protection to defend them against the sun’s rays.
– It is not convenient to take the sun in the peak sunny hours, that’s to say, between 10 am and 4 or 5 pm
– We recommend the use of caps or wide-brimmed hats and wear a shirt when we are near water, which reflects up to 25% of ultraviolet rays. This is advisable especially for people very sensitive to light or those people whose skin easily reacts to sunlight.
– We need protection from the sun even on cloudy days because the sun’s rays go through the clouds.
Herbal remedies that increase photosensibility
People must be cautious exposing to the sun when taking certain herbal remedies, such as St. John’s wort.
They produce photosensitization and therefore may be responsible for the appearance of brown spots, redness and even sunburns.
Other plants contain principles that can attain the main results when applied on the skin. (More information about photosensibility)
Among other herbs which can potentially cause photosensibility we have the following:
Main phototoxic plant list |
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Species | Phototoxic component | Phototoxic parts | Possible phototoxic cause |
Ammi majus ( Bishop’s Weed) | Angelicin
Bergapten Pimpellinin Furocoumarin Methoxy-Psoralen |
Seeds | Internal use seeds |
Anethum graveolens (Dill) | Bergapten | Plant | Fresh plant on the skin |
Angelica archangelica (Angelica) | Angelicin
Bergapten Pimpellinin Psoralen Sphondin |
Seeds, plant | Fresh plant on the skin |
Angelica dahurica (Bai Zhi) | Psoralen | Root, plant | Fresh plant on the skin |
Apium graveolens (Celery) | Angelicin
Bergapten Methoxy-Psoralen Psoralen |
Plant | Fresh plant on the skin |
Banisteriopsis caapi (Ayahuasca) | Harmaline | Semillas | Seeds preparation for ayahuasca |
Casimiroa edulis (White sapote) | Bergapten
Dictamnine Skimmianine |
Bark | Contact with the plant |
Cinchona spp (Quinina) | Quinine | Bark | Decoctions of rhyzome, contact with the bark |
Citrus aurantiifolia (Lime) | Bergapten | Fruit | Fruit contact or eating |
Citrus aurantium (Bitter orange) | Bergapten | Fruit | Fruit contact or eating |
Citrus limon (Lemon) | Bergapten | Essential oil | Essential oil on the skin |
Coriandrum sativum (Coriander) | Psoralen
Angelicin Bergapten |
Plant | Fresh plant on the skin |
Curcuma longa (Indian Saffron) | Curcumin | Rhyzome | Capsules of curcumin |
Curcuma xanthorrhiza (Javan Turmeric) | Curcumin | Rhyzome | Capsules of curcumin |
Curcuma zedoaria (Shoti) | Curcumin | Rhyzome | Capsules of curcumin |
Dictamnus albus (Burning Bush) | Bergapten
Psoralen Dictamnine Skimmianine |
Root | Root decoctions |
Ficus carica (Fig tree) | Psoralen
Bergapten Angelicin |
Plant | Contact of the juice on the skin |
Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel) | Bergapten
Psoralen Methoxy-Psoralen |
Fruit | Essential oil on the skin |
Glehnia littoralis (Bei Sha Shen) | Bergapten
Psoralen |
Rhyzome | Decoctions of rhyzome |
Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) | Bergapten | Ramas | Eating or chewing licorice |
Heracleum laciniatum (Laciniate) | Angelicin
Bergapten Pimpellinin Sphondin |
Plant | Fresh plant on the skin |
Hydrastis canadensis (Goldenseal) | Berberastine
Berberine
|
Rhyzome | Capsules or decoctions of rhyzome |
Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s wort) | Hypericin | Plant | Essential oil on the skin. Internal preparations of the plant |
Levisticum officinale (Lovage) | Bergapten
Psoralen Methoxy-Psoralen |
Plant | Fresh plant on the skin |
Limonia acidissima (Elephant Apple) | Psoralen
Bergapten |
Plant | Fresh plant on the skin |
Passiflora incarnata (Mayapple) | Harmaline | Plant | Contact with the plant |
Peganum harmala (Harmala) | Harmaline | Semillas | Seeds preparation for ayahuasca or other |
Petroselinum crispum (Parsley) | Bergapten
Psoralen Methoxy-Psoralen |
Plant, seed | Fresh plant or essential on the skin |
Pimpinella anisum (Anise) | Bergapten, | Plant, seed | Fresh plant or essential on the skin |
Ruta graveolens (Rue) | Bergapten
Psoralen Dictamnine Skimmianine |
Plant | Fresh plant on the skin |
Skimmia arborescens (Skimmia) | Bergapten
Skimmianine |
Leaves | Contact with the plant |
Skimmia japonica (Japanese Skimmia) | Dictamnine
Skimmianine |
Leaves | Contact with the plant |
Zanthoxylum alatum (Indian Prickly Ash) | Berberine
Dictamnine Skimmianine |
Bark | Contact with the plant |
Zanthoxylum americanum (Northern Prickly Ash) | Berberine
Dictamnine Skimmianine |
Bark | Contact with the plant |
Zanthoxylum clava-herculis (Hercules’ club) | Berberine |
Bark | Contact with the plant |
Zingiber officinale (Ginger) | Curcumin | Rhizome | Capsules or decoctions of Rhizome |
More information about sunburns and its natural treatment.
