+ Spring

+ Summer

+ Fall

+ Winter

SUNBURN

Causes/Epidemiology
Sunburn is caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation. There are two
types of UV radiation: Ultraviolet A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB). Both
forms may cause sunburn, although UVA is the more damaging and is
especially potent in the summer months. Young children may sustain this skin
injury at the beach, at sporting events, while hiking, skiing, and playing
outdoors. In adolescents, sunburn may result from time spent in a tanning bed.
In all instances, sunburn is the result of a combination of improper
protection of the skin with sunscreen or clothing and excessive exposure to
the sun. Sunburn is a serious problem in all children, but especially so in
infants who have thin or fair skin. Fair-skinned children need to be protected
throughout childhood and even into adulthood. The most common physical
characteristics that are predictors for severe sunburn are red or blond hair, blue
or green eyes, freckles and/or large numbers of moles.