The body regulates temperature through sweating, relying on the evaporation of moisture from the skin’s surface to dissipate heat. Whether this natural cooling mechanism can help or hurt inflamed skin is a common question when dealing with a sunburn. When this fluid interacts with skin damaged by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the consequences are often more irritating than relieving. To understand this interaction, it is necessary to recognize the extent of the skin injury caused by sun exposure.
Sunburn as a Skin Injury
Sunburn is a genuine burn injury caused by overexposure to UV radiation, not merely a surface reddening. The high-energy UVB rays penetrate the skin’s outer layers, causing direct damage to cellular components. This UV exposure triggers a rapid and acute inflammatory response that leads to the familiar symptoms of redness, swelling, and pain. The body reacts by dilating blood vessels to send immune cells to the affected area, which causes the skin to become hot to the touch and appear visibly red. Depending on the severity, this reaction can range from a first-degree burn, involving only the epidermis, to a more severe second-degree burn that includes blistering.
The Chemical Impact of Sweat
Sweating is primarily composed of water, but the remaining one percent contains various solutes that become concentrated on the skin’s surface as the water evaporates. These solutes include sodium chloride, urea, lactate, and trace minerals.
Sunburned skin is essentially an open wound where the protective barrier has been severely weakened by UV damage and inflammation. When the high concentration of salt and other metabolic waste products in sweat sits on this damaged tissue, it acts as a chemical irritant. This irritation causes the stinging or prickling sensation common when sweating after a burn.
The slightly acidic nature of eccrine sweat (pH typically ranging from 4 to 6.8) also contributes to discomfort on already inflamed skin. Furthermore, the swelling and inflammation of the skin can constrict the ducts that carry sweat to the surface. When the sweat cannot escape, it becomes trapped beneath the skin, potentially leading to a rash known as miliaria, or prickly heat. This mechanical blockage compounds the discomfort and irritation of the sunburn itself.
Immediate Actions for Relief
Since sweating can exacerbate discomfort, the initial focus for sunburn relief should be on external cooling and moisturizing the damaged skin.
External Cooling
Applying a clean cloth dampened with cool tap water or taking a cool bath helps to draw heat away from the skin and reduce inflammation. For a full-body burn, a cool shower is often the most effective method to quickly lower the skin’s temperature.
Topical Care
After cooling, applying a soothing moisturizer is important to prevent further water loss and aid the healing process. Products containing aloe vera or calamine are effective for soothing the area. Avoid lotions or creams that contain petroleum, as these can trap heat within the skin, or products with alcohol, which can cause further drying and irritation.
Internal Care
Internal hydration is necessary because a sunburn draws fluid away from the rest of the body toward the damaged skin, increasing the risk of dehydration. Drinking extra water helps counteract this effect and supports the body’s recovery. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen can also be taken to reduce the internal inflammatory response, which helps lessen the pain and swelling.