Final answer:
Sunburned skin is an example of hyperalgesia, involving damage primarily to the epidermis and possibly the dermis due to UV exposure, and affects free nerve endings responsible for pain sensation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sunburned skin is an example of hyperalgesia, which is an increased sensitivity to pain, often occurring after injury to the skin such as excessive UV exposure from the sun. When an individual has spent too much time sunbathing, the skin can become painful to touch and may even develop small blisters, indicating damage to the epidermis and possibly the dermis layers of the skin. Sunburn is caused by large exposures to UV-B and UV-C radiation, and it's important to note that while tanning might seem like a desirable outcome, it is a sign of skin damage and can increase the risk of skin cancer.
The receptor type most likely affected when you burn your epidermis is the free nerve endings, which are responsible for sensing pain. It is also critical to understand that sunburn should not be confused with shingles, which is a reactivation of a varicella-zoster infection, and is different from the normal skin response to sun exposure and UV light damage.