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Are You Doing These 20 Things When You Get Sunburned? Find Out How It’s Harming Your Health

Summer is a time for outdoor fun, but it's important to remember to protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays. While we all know that can cause redness and peeling, there are other serious consequences to consider. Here are the top 20 unexpected ways that sunburn can harm your health.

1. Worsening Migraines

For those who already suffer from headaches or , overexposure to the sun can make the pain even worse. Sun glare and sun poisoning are known to cause headaches, according to the Mayo Clinic.

2. Sunburnt Lips

Your lips are made of skin and can become sunburnt too. When this happens, it can lead to swelling of the tongue, blistering, and difficulty breathing. Lip balms with SPF should be used to protect them.

3. Damage to Skin Cells

When we get sunburnt, we are hurting cells called fibroblasts that produce collagen, leaving our skin defenseless against wrinkles and other damage.

4. Itch Madness

In rare instances, a bad sunburn can lead to a “debilitating, madness-inducing itch” that can be extremely distressing.

5. Trigger of Psoriasis

A bad sunburn can trigger psoriasis, an autoimmune disease that causes patches of itchy, thickened skin to develop.

6. Myositis Muscle Weakness

Myositis is an autoimmune disease that weakens the muscles. Women who developed myositis while exposed to high levels of UV rays were more likely to develop an even worse form of the disease known as dermatomyositis, which causes painful rashes in addition to the muscle weakness.

7. Weakened Immune System

The immune cells in our skin are the first line of defense against infections that infiltrate the skin. When the skin gets sunburnt, the body's supply of Langerhan cells is wiped out, making us more vulnerable to illness.

8. Herpes Flare-Ups

Sitting outside without is a bad idea for those who suffer from the Herpes simplex virus. Overexposure to sunlight weakens the immune system and causes the virus to act up.

9. Water Retention

Sunburns cause our body to retain water, leading to severe water retention that can get to the point of gaining seven pounds after getting sunburnt.

10. Eye Damage

It is difficult to protect the eyes from UV rays, and as a result, they are at a higher risk for photoconjunctivitis and photokeratitis, both of which are painful inflammatory conditions.

11. Flu-Like Symptoms

Sunburns can cause symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, and nausea and vomiting, which are similar to those found during flu season.

12. Trigger of Lupus

Sunlight may trigger a lupus rash and its joint pain and fatigue symptoms.

13. Shallow Breathing

Rapid, shallow breathing is one of the side effects of heatstroke, which can require medical attention.

14. Dehydration

Sunburned skin draws fluid to the surface and can lead to , causing dizziness and muscle fatigue.

15. Painful Blisters

Second-degree sunburns can cause painful blisters that can lead to infections down the road.

16. Hives

Certain medications and conditions can lead to painful that can be aesthetically displeasing.

17. Acne Breakouts

Exposure to sunlight can increase sebum , leading to an increase in acne breakouts.

18. Pregnancy Risks

Sunburns can potentially lead to birth defects, preterm labor, or even a miscarriage, making it essential for pregnant women to avoid getting burnt.

19. Heart Issues

High levels of vitamin D from overexposure to sunlight have been linked to strokes and heart attacks.

20. Skin Cancer

Of course, the most devastating potential side effect of sunburn is the development of skin .

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Summary

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