New Delhi, May 3 (IANS). The Sun is the most important source of life on Earth. It not only gives us light, but is also the main source of energy for plants and humans. However, its rays are not always beneficial—sometimes strong sunlight can damage the skin, causing problems like sunburn. In such a situation, it is natural to raise the question that why does sunlight burn us? Every year May 3 is celebrated as International Sun Day, which makes us aware of the importance of the Sun and its effects.
Sunlight is essential for health. It produces vitamin D, which is essential for bones, but it is important to maintain a balance. Staying in sunlight for too long can also cause skin cancer. On International Sun Day, we should understand both the usefulness of the sun and the harm caused by it.
The Sun sends many types of energy towards the Earth. There are three main types of rays – infrared radiation (heat), visible light that we can see, and ultraviolet (UV) light. We cannot see ultraviolet rays with our eyes. These harm our skin.
The Sun keeps sending waves of energy i.e. electromagnetic waves all the time. Among these, infrared waves are the lowest energy and longest, which give the feeling of heat. Visible light has medium energy, while ultraviolet waves have the highest energy. It is because of these ultraviolet rays that the skin burns. When excessive ultraviolet rays fall on the skin, the skin cells get damaged. Cells start dying and the body reacts to this. Resulting in skin redness, swelling, pain and irritation. This is called sunburn.
The special thing is that ultraviolet rays can reach everywhere. Sunburn does not happen only in direct sunlight. Ultraviolet rays can bounce back after hitting water, snow, concrete and sand. This means that you can get sunburned even if you sit under an umbrella. These rays reach even beyond the clouds, so caution should be taken even on a cloudy day.
Health experts suggest measures to prevent sunburn. For this, do not go out in the sun too much from 10 am to 4 pm. Wear light-colored clothes that cover the entire body. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and glasses. Apply sunscreen (sunblock) with SPF 30 or higher. Reapply it every 3-4 hours. Drink more water so that the body remains hydrated. Doctors advise to apply cold water in case of sunburn. Apply moisturizer and in more serious cases contact a doctor.
–IANS
MT/VC
