# How does sunburn compare to other burns and scalds?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-sunburn-compare-to-other-burns-and-scalds/663305>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 12, 2013, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-sunburn-compare-to-other-burns-and-scalds/663305 "2013-07-12T13:20:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2013, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-sunburn-compare-to-other-burns-and-scalds/663305/1 "2013-07-12T13:20:19Z")

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Is “sunburn” only a metaphorical “burn” or is it similar to a burn\* from thermal conduction as far as the skin is concerned? What about chemical burns, etc.?

Also, sunburn is well-known for causing/contributing to skin cancer. Are other burns just as dangerous in this respect?

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**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2013, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-sunburn-compare-to-other-burns-and-scalds/663305/2 "2013-07-12T13:30:15Z")

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it’s a radiation burn. UVB and UVC are ionizing radiation.

> **[Radiation burn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiation_burn)**
>
> A radiation burn is a damage to the skin or other biological tissue and organs as an effect of radiation. The radiation types of greatest concern are thermal radiation, radio frequency energy, ultraviolet light and ionizing radiation.
> The most common type of radiation burn is a sunburn caused by UV radiation. High exposure to X-rays during diagnostic medical imaging or radiotherapy can also result in radiation burns. As the ionizing radiation interacts with cells within the body—damaging them—th...