Fact or Fiction: Sunburn

Image: Â© iStockphoto.com/Alberto L. Pomares G.

About This Quiz

We've said it before, and we'll say it again -- wear SPF 30 every day, even if you're not sunbathing! Take this quiz to learn how to protect your skin from the skin -- and what happens when you burn.

The most dangerous time of day for sunburn is between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

fact

fiction

almost fact: It's actually from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Correct Answer

Wrong Answer

The sun's rays are most intense between 10 and 4 -- prime beach time.

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UV exposure doubles with every 1,000-foot rise in elevation, so you really need to watch the sun when you're skiing.

fact

fiction

almost fact: UV exposure triples with a 1,000-foot elevation gain.

Correct Answer

Wrong Answer

You do need to be very careful when in the sun at high elevations, but it's a 4 percent UV increase each time you rise 1,000 feet.

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Another reason you need to be careful in the mountains is that snow reflects the sun, increasing your sunburn chances.

fact

fiction

almost fact: Snow does reflect sunlight, but the UV rays aren't reflected.

Correct Answer

Wrong Answer

The UV rays are reflected along with everything else, so being in snow and sun does increase your sunburn danger.

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The southern United States gets twice as much sunlight as the northern part of the country.

fact

fiction

almost fact: The South gets 1.5 times more sunlight.

Correct Answer

Wrong Answer

Yes, Southerners get 1.5 times more sun than Northerners do, so they need to take more precaution against sunburn.

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Your skin can start to burn after an hour of sun exposure.

fact

fiction

almost fact: It usually takes about two hours for skin to start to burn.

Correct Answer

Wrong Answer

People with fair skin can start to burn within a half-hour of being out in the sun.

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UVA and UVB rays are both responsible for sunburn.

fact

fiction

almost fact: Only UVA rays damage the skin.

Correct Answer

Wrong Answer

Both UVA and UVB rays damage the skin and cause sunburn.

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Tanning beds produce only UVB rays, so they don't damage the skin or cause as much sunburn as the sun does.

fact

fiction

almost fact: Tanning beds produce only UVA rays.

Correct Answer

Wrong Answer

Wrong. Tanning beds produce both kinds of rays, so they're just as dangerous as the sun is.

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If you have a bad sunburn, you'll probably feel the strongest effects about 12 to 24 hours after sun exposure.

fact

fiction

almost fact: The worst effects are usually about three to four hours later.

Correct Answer

Wrong Answer

Peak sunburn effects generally come in about 12 to 24 hours.

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A sunburn can make you throw up.

fact

fiction

almost fact: If you've vomited after a sunburn, it's probably just a coincidence.

Correct Answer

Wrong Answer

Yes, a severe sunburn can do such damage to your system that you might vomit or have a fever.

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The best thing to do for a bad sunburn is to slather your skin in oily lotions and ointments.

fact

fiction

almost fact: Use lotions, but sparingly.

Correct Answer

Wrong Answer

The best thing is aloe vera gel -- it contains aloectin B, which stimulates the immune system. Greasy lotions could actually seal in the heat and make burns worse.

FINISH QUIZ

You Got:

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