April 16, 2007

Health Tip: Risk Factors for Sunburn

(HealthDay News) -- Certain people are more susceptible to sunburn than others because of age, skin type or medications they are taking.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine says these factors increase a person's risk of sunburn:

• Babies and children have skin that is more sensitive than adult skin, so they are more likely to be badly sunburned if unprotected.
• People with fair skin are more likely to get a sunburn than people with darker skin -- although all skin types and complexions can burn.
• Certain medications, including some antibiotics and birth control pills, can increase the likelihood of a sunburn.
• Using a tanning bed can cause dangerous sunburns.
• Being outside during the sun's peak hours -- 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. -- and being on reflective sand or water can increase one's risk of severe sunburn.

-- Diana Kohnle

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