Sunburn Prevention

Sunburn is a serious concern in South Africa, where the sun’s intensity is high, especially during summer.

While a tan may seem desirable, excessive sun exposure can cause lasting skin damage, premature aging, and increase the risk of skin cancer.

Make the most of the amazing activities on the KZN South Coast, from beach days to outdoor adventures—but don’t let sunburn ruin the fun!

UV radiation is particularly strong along the KZN South Coast, making sunscreen, protective clothing, and shade essential for outdoor activities. Even on cloudy days, harmful UV rays can still penetrate and cause sunburn.

Prevention is always better than treatment—using SPF 30+ sunscreen, reapplying regularly, and staying hydrated can help protect your skin. Remember, a healthy glow comes from good skincare, not overexposure to the sun!

Sunburn Prevention – How to get it right!

To prevent sun damage in South Africa, use sunscreen, seek shade, wear protective clothing and avoid the sun during peak hours.

Sunscreen:

Apply generous amounts of SPF 30 sunscreen (or higher) to all exposed areas (even on a cloudy day)
Reapply sunscreen every two hours – pay attention to children who are in and out the water
Use water-resistant sunscreen if you’re swimming
Apply sunscreen generously to your face, ears, and back of your neck.

Shade

Seek shade whenever possible, especially during peak UV hours.
Use a beach umbrella or gazebo to provide shade.

Clothing

Wear sun-protective clothing
Wear a broad-brimmed hat to cover your face, nose, neck, and ears.
Wear sunglasses that offer protection from UV rays.

Limit the time you spend in the sun and rather gradually build your tan over time by spending short periods in the sun over a few days. There is nothing worse than getting sunburnt on your first day of holidays and not being able to enjoy the rest of your time.

DID YOU KNOW?

One or more sunburn incidents that cause blistering in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person’s chance of developing skin cancer later in life!

What is sunburn?

A sunburn is cell-level skin damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Skin responds to UV exposure by producing more melanin. Melanin is your skin’s natural sunblock and the source of your colouring.

When the sunburn is more than your natural sunblock (melanin) can handle, sun damage will occur, leaving you with a nasty sunburn to deal with. Even those with a darker skin can get a nasty sunburn and have lasting damage!

Sunburn symptoms will usually be over and done with in a few days, but the damage to skin cells is more often than not permanent.

Skin damage caused by repeated sunburns can lead to skin cancer, skin growths and lesions, a compromised immune system, premature aging, and permanent eye damage later on in life.

Symptoms of Sunburn:

The telltale signs will be most visible 2-6 hours after burning and will peak at 12-24 hours. The pain will be worst at 6-24 hours after the burn.

Redness
Swelling
Soreness and pain
Skin feels warm
Headache
Sunburn rash
Sunburn itch
Peeling
Blistering
Fever

A very bad sunburn may cause second-degree burns, dehydration (causing electrolyte imbalances), infection, shock, and death.

See a doctor if you have a severe sunburn.

Treating Sunburn

Disclaimer: The following information on treating sunburn is for general guidance only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for personalized treatment.

Sunburn can be a very serious condition requiring a doctor or hospital visit depending on the age of the person, the amount of skin sunburnt, the degree of sunburn, and the health of the person.

Sunburn can be dangerous in children and the elderly.

If in doubt, please seek medical treatment.

Basic Sunburn First Aid

After-sun Products: Apply a cooling after-sun lotion or gel containing aloe vera (readily available from most pharmacies like Dis-Chem)
Cooling methods: Take a cool bath or shower or use a damp cloth to cool the skin
Hydration: Drink plenty of water to rehydrate, as sunburn can draw fluid from the body
Pain Relief: Take over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen to reduce inflamation and discomfort.
Avoid further sun exposure: Stay out of direct sunlight and cover exposed skin with clothing until the sunburn heals.

When to go to the Hospital

Severe pain: The pain is excruciating
Blisters: The burn has blisters that cover a large area of skin
Signs of infection: The burn is red, warm, swollen, painful or has pus
Dehydration: You have increased thirst, dry mouth and eyes, or no urine output
Shock: You feel faint, have low blood pressure or feel very weak
Fever: You have a high fever or severe chills
Nausea and vomiting: you feel nauseous or are vomiting
Headache: You have a headache
Sunburn over a large area: The sunburn covers a large area of skin
Rapid breathing or pulse: You are breathing fast or have a pulse that is rapid
Light sensitivity: Your eyes are sensitive to light or hurt
Altered consciousness: You feel confused, dizzy, or lose consciousness.

We have links to the Emergency Telephone numbers you may need here.

Sun Allergy

Polymorphous Light Eruption (PMLE) is a common sun allergy that causes an itchy, red rash after sun exposure, usually in spring or early summer.

It occurs when the skin reacts abnormally to UV light, leading to small red bumps, blisters, or patches on sun-exposed areas.

PMLE is not dangerous but can be uncomfortable, and symptoms typically resolve on their own within a few days.

Preventive measures include wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and gradually increasing sun exposure to build tolerance.