HOUSTON – Can you get sunburned through a car or airplane window? The answer is yes. In fact, you can even get burned through white T-shirts.
Doctors say these are some of the questions people hesitate to ask, with the top most embarrassing concerns focusing on private areas.
Sunburn where the sun don't shine
“If a sunburn is on a sensitive part of your body, so something that is normally covered by or should be covered by clothing, if you have a severe burn in those areas, professional burn care is recommended. So genitals or breast, for example,” Dr. John Griffin from Kelsey Seybold Clinic said.
Griffin said Texas is notorious for bad burns, and people trying to tan the delicate spots of their body sometimes land in the hospital because the sensitive areas burn quickly.
“You never know! Never know…” he laughed when asked how frequently he’s seen this issue.
Even without burning your bum, doctors say there are other questions people hesitate to ask.
Sunscreen at dawn and dusk
The sun's UV rays are harshest between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., but that doesn't mean you can halt sunscreen application in the evening. Daylight, at any hour, and on cloudy days, requires sunscreen.
Some people also hesitate using sunscreen sprays because they don't get good reviews on effectiveness. However, Dr. Shannan McCann from Texas Children’s Hospital said if it's all your kid will wear, just make sure to apply a thick layer, rub it in and try doing it indoors, if you can, so it doesn't blow away before hitting the skin.
Sunburns on lips and eyelids
Don't forget a wide-brim hat to protect your face and lips which, can burn.
Oculofacial cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Mirwat Sami said she sees and treats one to two new eyelid skin patients per week and 20 to 30 eyelid skin cancer patients a year. On average, eyelid skin cancers make up 5 to 10 percent of all skin cancers.
Sami said the solution is as simple as wearing sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection, which also protects your vision from harmful rays.
What about severe burns?
If you suffer from a burn that goes beyond painful skin, seek urgent care.
“Particularly if you get fever, chills or feeling light headed, you need to go to the hospital because you may also be dehydrated,” Griffin said.