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Sunburn Treatment

Sunburn Treatment Specialist in Merced, CA

Sunburn is an acute inflammatory skin reaction caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted by the sun or artificial sources. If you have been affected by sunburn, walk into Getwell Urgent Care to get checked out, so we can help you on the way to healing. Some common symptoms are redness, swelling, pain, blisters, chills, fever, confusion, and weakness. For more information, please contact us or schedule an appointment online. Visit us today at 650 W Olive Avenue, Suite B Merced, CA 95348.

Sunburn Treatment Specialist Near Me in Merced, CA
Sunburn Treatment Specialist Near Me in Merced, CA

Table of Contents:

What is a sunburn exactly?
What are the degrees of sunburn? 
How do you know when sunburn is serious? 
Should I go to urgent care for a sunburn treatment?

Whether you tanned for a little too long or forgot to put on sunscreen, a sunburn can be a painful annoyance. While most sunburns do not cause significant problems, they do increase one’s risk of skin cancer. As such, it is a good idea to avoid sunburns whenever possible with good skincare routines. If you do experience a sunburn, our doctors and medical professionals at Getwell Urgent Care would gladly provide any medical attention or guidance you require for your sunburn treatments!

What is a sunburn exactly?


Sunburn is damage to the DNA within skin cells from ultraviolet (UV) radiation when the skin experiences too much unprotected exposure to the sun. The inflammatory reaction produced by the skin in response to the UV radiation damage is the outward sign of sunburn.

Your skin produces melanin to block the damaging effects of UV radiation, which results in darkened skin color, commonly referred to as tanning. However, when your skin experiences too much UV radiation exposure, it cannot produce enough melanin, causing the affected skin cells to deteriorate and die. The inflammatory response, or sunburn, functions to replace the damaged and dead skin cells.

Some individuals naturally have less melanin than others, owing to such factors as genetics and ethnicity. Consequently, such individuals are at higher risk of sunburns, as their skin does not have as many resources to fight off UV radiation damage.

What are the degrees of sunburn? 


While there are several degrees of burns, sunburns are generally either first-degree or second-degree, depending on the size of the burn and the depth of the UV radiation damage.

Most sunburns are first-degree burns and typically occur with redness, soreness, tightness, and warmth in the affected area. First-degree sunburns can also cause mild swelling and blistering. While most first-degree sunburns do not require medical attention, you may want to consult your doctor or dermatologist about proper skincare for the injured skin.

Sunburn becomes a second-degree burn when UV radiation damages both the epidermis and the dermis, or the outer layer of skin and the layers of skin beneath the surface. Second-degree sunburns can take several weeks to heal and typically require medical attention for proper care and treatment. Some symptoms of a second-degree sunburn include the following:

• Blisters and swelling covering a significant area of skin
• Significant discomfort and pain
• Skin that appears wet, shiny, and dark or deep red
• White discoloration within the burn

How do you know when sunburn is serious? 


Any sunburn is serious to an extent, in the sense that they increase one’s risk of developing skin cancer. However, some sunburns are more immediately serious than others. With that in mind, some signs that your sunburn is severe or is a symptom of a serious illness or infection include the following:

• Blisters on the face, genitals, or hands
• Burn covers a large area
• Large or severe blisters
• Severe pain, swelling, or tenderness
• Symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, such as confusion, dehydration, dizziness, fainting, heart palpitations, peculiar lack of sweat, rapid breathing, slurred speech, and unconsciousness
• Symptoms of infection, including chills, fever, pus, or red streaks that run away from an open blister

Should I go to urgent care for my sunburn treatment?


You should go to an urgent care clinic for sunburn if you notice signs that your sunburn is serious or a second-degree burn. An urgent care clinic is also a great option if you are looking for guidance on caring for a sunburn. For more information about sunburn treatment specialists at Getwell Urgent Care, Call us today or schedule an appointment online, or Visit our clinic conveniently located at 650 W. Olive Ave Suite B Merced CA 95348. We look forward to serving you! We serve patients from Merced CA, Atwater CA, The Grove CA, Bear Creek CA, Planada CA, and Athlone CA.