Health Tip: Risk Factors for Sunburn

Certain people are more susceptible to sunburn than others because of age, skin type or medications they are taking.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine says these factors increase a person's risk of sunburn:

• Babies and children have skin that is more sensitive than adult skin, so they are more likely to be badly sunburned if unprotected.


• People with fair skin are more likely to get a sunburn than people with darker skin -- although all skin types and complexions can burn.


• Certain medications, including some antibiotics and birth control pills, can increase the likelihood of a sunburn.


• Using a tanning bed can cause dangerous sunburns.


• Being outside during the sun's peak hours -- 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. -- and being on reflective sand or water can increase one's risk of severe sunburn.