[Click! Health] Red Swollen Skin in Summer, Caused by Sunlight Not Mosquitoes?

As the summer season begins in earnest and ultraviolet rays become stronger, there is advice to be cautious about excessive exposure to UV rays.

On the 16th, as the daytime temperature in Seoul reached 28 degrees Celsius, early summer weather continued with heat haze rising on Yeouidaero in Seoul. The Korea Meteorological Administration announced that summer heat exceeding 30 degrees Celsius will continue over the weekend. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

According to Kyung Hee University Hospital, sunlight is divided into ultraviolet rays, visible light, and infrared rays depending on the wavelength. Among them, if the skin is excessively exposed to ultraviolet rays that are not blocked by the ozone layer, it is greatly affected.

Professor Shin Min-kyung of the Department of Dermatology at Kyung Hee University Hospital warned, "When the skin is exposed to strong sunlight for a long time, the most basic effect is sunburn. The typical symptoms are erythema, itching, and burning sensation, which can progress to blisters, pain, and swelling." She added, "The symptoms usually become most severe 12 to 24 hours after sun exposure. When peeling of the skin begins within a few days, it is best not to forcibly remove it but to apply moisturizer frequently and allow it to peel naturally."

For early sunburn, packs with soothing and astringent effects such as cucumber, potato, or aloe can help alleviate symptoms. If redness is severe, corticosteroid lotion is effective.

In addition to burns, solar urticaria may occur, characterized by erythema, swelling, and itching. Solar urticaria mainly appears on the arms, chest, and neck areas rather than the face and backs of the hands, which are frequently exposed to sunlight. Professor Shin said, "The exposed areas become itchy with skin swelling, and wheals appear within a few hours and then subside. Because the skin swells like mosquito bites, it can be mistaken for them. To prevent skin diseases caused by ultraviolet rays, it is recommended to actively use sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB every morning before going outside."

Applying enough sunscreen can sometimes feel sticky or uncomfortable. In such cases, using a product with a high Sunburn Protection Factor (SPF) in smaller amounts can be helpful. Also, during summer, pigmentation such as melasma, freckles, and blemishes may newly appear or worsen. Prevention is best, but if pigmentation has already developed, whitening cosmetics can help.

Professor Shin advised, "When using whitening cosmetics that exfoliate the skin, the thinner stratum corneum allows more UV penetration, which can worsen pigmentation, so sunscreen must be used together. Apply sunscreen not only on the face but also on areas at risk of intermittent strong sun exposure such as the backs of the hands, neck, and behind the ears. Even when using sunscreen, it is good to double-block with hats, sunglasses, parasols, and clothing."

Professor Shin Min-kyung, Department of Dermatology, Kyung Hee University Hospital. [Photo by Kyung Hee University Hospital]

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.