Bright, Sunny and how to deal with a sunburn

Good morning Augusta.

This morning it is clear. High of 79F. Winds from the NW at 10 to 15 mph.

Tonight it will be clear. Low of 48F. Winds from the NW at 5 to 10 mph.

The readings from my own instruments are:

The humidity is 65% with a Dew Point of 59ºF and temp is 68.9ºF.

Our wind direction is West Southwest between 6.9 MPH and 10.7 MPH.  

Our Barometric pressure is  30.24 HPA 1013 and rising with a weather graphic indicating sun.

The UV rating is 1 out of 16, Sunrise is 4:54 a.m. sunset is 8:26 PM and Moon Rise is at 12:13 a.m. EDT with the moon phase being a Waning Gibbous.

For the pilots out there, Raw Metar readings are:

METAR KAUG 191053Z AUTO 30008KT 10SM CLR 18/13 A2991 RMK AO2 SLP126 T01830128

Visibility is 10.0 miles/16.1 kilometers with clear conditions.

We received no rainfall overnight in this area.

Now that suntan and as logicaly follows, sun burn season is upon us, you need to know what causes a burn and how to treat it.

Here's what you need to know about how to keep your skin safe and where to find sunburn relief if you do linger on your lounger too long.

What Causes Sunburn

You already know the simple explanation behind sunburn. When your skin is exposed to the sun for a period of time, eventually it burns, turning red and

irritated. Under the skin, things get a little more complicated. The sun gives off three wavelengths of

ultraviolet light: UVA, UVB and UVC.

UVC light doesn't reach the Earth's surface. The other two types of ultraviolet light not only reach your beach towel, but they penetrate your skin. Skin

damage is caused by both UVA and UVB rays.

Sunburn is the most obvious sign that you've been sitting outside for too long. But sun damage isn't always visible. Under the surface, ultraviolet light

can alter your DNA, prematurely aging your skin. Over time, DNA damage can contribute to skin cancers, including deadly

melanoma.

How soon a sunburn begins depends on:

Your skin type

The sun's intensity

How long you're exposed to the sun

A blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman sunbathing in Rio de Janeiro will redden far sooner than an olive-complexioned woman sitting out on a sunny day in New York City.

Signs of Sunburn

When you get a sunburn, your skin turns red and hurts. If the burn is severe, you can develop swelling and sunburn

blisters. You may even feel like you have the flu -- feverish, with chills,

nausea, headache, and weakness.

A few days later, your skin will start peeling and itching as your body tries to rid itself of sun-damaged cells.

Sunburn Relief

Sunburn treatment is designed to attack the burn on two fronts -- relieving reddened, inflamed skin while easing

pain.

Here are a few home remedies for sunburn:

Compresses. Apply cold compresses to your skin or take a cool bath to soothe the burn.

Creams or gels. To take the sting out of your sunburn, gently rub on a cream or gel containing ingredients such as: Menthol, Camphor or Aloe.

Refrigerating the cream first will make it feel even better on your sunburned skin.

NSAIDs. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen or naproxen can relieve sunburn swelling and pain all over your body.

Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and other fluids so that you don't become dehydrated.

Avoid the sun. Until your sunburn heals, stay out of the sun.

You may be able to treat the sunburn yourself. But call for a doctor's help if you notice any of these more serious sunburn signs:

Fever of 102 degrees or higher, Chills, Severe pain or Sunburn blisters that cover 20% or more of your body, Dry mouth, thirst, reduced urination, dizziness, and

fatigue, which are signs of dehydration.

Preventing Sunburn

Here are some tips for keeping your skin safe when you're outside:

Watch the clock. The sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you can't stay indoors during that block of time, at least stick to shady spots.

Wear the right clothes. When you have to be outdoors, wear sun-protective clothing, such as: A broad-brimmed hat, A long-sleeved shirt and pants and UV-blocking sunglasses.

Use sunscreen. Cover any exposed areas of skin liberally with at least 1 ounce of broad-spectrum sunscreen. That means sunscreen that protects against

both UVA and UVB rays.

The sunscreen should have a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Follow these tips for applying sunscreen: Apply sunscreen about 30 minutes before you go outside.

Use sunscreen even on overcast days because UV rays can penetrate clouds. Reapply sunscreen every two hours -- or more often if you're sweating

 heavily or swimming.

The foregoing was copied and pasted from various online sources. I am not a skin care expert in any way.