erythemal

9.9

Relating to or causing red skin, for example after sunburn

adjective
/ˌɛrɪˈθiməl/

Specialized

: eritematoso

The map on page 90 shows the UV radiation responsible for sunburn (erythemal exposure) during July 1988.

Examples

Excessive sun exposure can lead to erythemal reactions, which cause redness and irritation on the skin.
Representative annual minimal erythemal doses for various exposure scenarios are displayed in Table 1.

Academic text (1998)
The ASCFs account for the differences between wavelength contributions estimated by the erythemal action spectrum and the previtamin D action spectrum toward previtamin D3 production.

Academic text (2012)
The dermatologist explained that the erythemal response is a signal of skin damage from UV radiation.
During the summer months, erythemal doses increase, making it important to use sunscreen when outdoors.

Synonyms

red

vserythemal

380 1.0

Having skin that looks like the color of blood from heat or strong feeling

focuses on medical relation or cause rather than brief flushing from feelings

erythematous

vserythemal

Specialized

1 9.9

Having red skin or mouth lining that looks swollen and sore

also denotes things that produce that skin reaction rather than only describe it

erythematosus

vserythemal

Specialized

9.9

Having red, inflamed skin that looks sore after irritation

emphasizes causing the reaction rather than only noting the inflamed state

How Red

bright red

26 1.0

erythemal

Specialized

9.9

pink

43 1.0

pale

291 1.0

Surface Forms

erythemal positive

Morphology

erythemal = erythema (transparent) = erythema + al

The adjective is a regular formation meaning 'relating to erythema,' so the meaning follows directly from the noun base plus -al.

Etymology

The word erythemal comes from erythema and the Greek root erythro-, which mean 'red'. So an erythemal reaction is one that makes the skin 'red', and doctors use the word to talk about skin redness.