Any portion of the body that is covered with skin, or an epidermal layer, can experience sunburn. This susceptibility includes the lips, ears, and the scalp. The lips are rarely covered during long exposure to the sun. They can become cracked and dehydrated much more easily than other parts of the skin. Sunburn and cracking often leads to bleeding due to the excess loss of moisture. In addition, childrens’ lips are in much more danger because the layers of skin are still in developmental stages. Lip sunburn as a result of prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays display a variety of symptoms. These include a burning sensation on the lips, itching, and cracked layers that are prone to bleeding. The lips will have a rough texture, and the damaged layers of skin will begin to peel.
There are a variety of treatments for this condition. The first thing to avoid is peeling off the damaged layers of skin right away. This action will cause bleeding to occur much more readily. Petroleum jelly provides excellent sunburn treatment because the vitamin E in the compound prevents any further drying of the tissue. Aloe Vera works well to treat sunburns on any area of the body as well. Preventive measures should also be considered before long hours of exposure to the sun. Many lipsticks for women contain SPF formulas. Lip balms for men and children are also useful. Hydration can play a large role in skin care. Drinking 8 to 12 glasses of water each day keeps the skin hydrated, making it less susceptible to damages from UV rays.
Extreme burns can result in the need to visit a dermatologist. Lips that have been severely burned will begin to swell and experience a change in color. The red hue often deepens to a purple shade. The change in the appearance of the lip surface can then be followed by blistering. The damage from the sun’s UV rays can be severe enough to cause second and third-degree burns. Austin, Texas residents are exposed to blistering sun during the summer months, and they trust that quality treatments designed to lessen the effects of the exposure are available from Four Points Dermatology. For emergencies and further information on the risks and benefits associated with skin care, this dermatologist has long been a trusted name.
