ultraviolet radiation injury
Quick Summary
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, invisible to the human eye, is part of the electromagnetic spectrum extending from visible light to X-rays. While essential for producing vitamin D in the skin, overexposure to UV radiation, particularly UVB rays from the sun, can cause significant injury.12
The primary pathology of UV injury is to the skin, leading to sunburn, which is an acute inflammatory response characterized by redness, swelling, pain, and in severe cases, blistering. UV radiation can also damage DNA in skin cells, potentially leading to premature aging of the skin and increasing the risk of skin cancers, including melanoma. Individuals with certain genetic defects, like xeroderma pigmentosum, have impaired DNA repair mechanisms and are extremely sensitive to sunlight, developing multiple skin cancers on exposed areas. Additionally, some substances can act as photosensitizers, making the skin more susceptible to UV damage.341
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
