Buzz
Exposure to the sun, tanning lamps, or any ultraviolet light source can result in sunburn, causing redness and skin damage. Prevention is always better than cure, especially for conditions that may cause permanent skin damage. However, there are several treatment methods you can use to promote healing, prevent infection, and alleviate pain.
Steps
Relieving Pain and Discomfort
Soak in cool water or take a gentle bath. Use cool (not cold) water to soak and relax for 10 to 20 minutes. If you prefer a shower, adjust the showerhead to a gentle spray setting to avoid irritating the skin. Let your skin air dry or pat it gently with a towel to prevent further irritation.
- Avoid using soap, body wash, or other cleansing products while soaking or showering. These products can irritate the skin and worsen sunburn.
- If blisters form, soak in water instead of showering. The water pressure from the shower may cause the blisters to burst.
Apply a cold compress. Dampen a towel or cloth with cold water, then place it on the sunburned area for 20 to 30 minutes. Repeat as necessary.
Use over-the-counter pain relievers. Common pain relievers like Ibuprofen or aspirin can help reduce pain and may also decrease inflammation.
- Do not give aspirin to children. Instead, opt for acetaminophen-based medications suitable for children. Children's Motrin (Ibuprofen) is a good choice due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Try topical pain relief sprays. Pharmacies offer sprays designed to soothe red and itchy skin. Sprays containing benzocaine, lidocaine, or pramoxine have numbing effects and can help alleviate pain. However, these products may cause allergic reactions, so it's best to test them on a small, unaffected area of skin and check for itching or redness after a day.
- Avoid using these sprays on children under 2 without a doctor's recommendation. Sprays containing methyl salicylate or trolamine salicylate can be harmful to children under 12, and capsaicin may pose risks to those under 18 or individuals allergic to chili peppers.
Wear loose, breathable cotton clothing. Loose-fitting t-shirts and pants are ideal while your skin heals from sunburn. If you prefer tighter clothing, ensure it's made of cotton, which allows your skin to breathe, and choose the loosest fit possible.
- Avoid wool and certain synthetic fabrics, as they can irritate the skin, causing itching and trapping heat.
Consider using cortisone cream. Cortisone creams containing steroids can help reduce inflammation, although scientific studies suggest they may not be highly effective for sunburns. If you wish to try them, look for low-dose, over-the-counter options at pharmacies or supermarkets. Seek products containing hydrocortisone or similar ingredients.
- Do not use cortisone creams on young children or on the face. Consult a pharmacist if you have any questions about using these creams.
- In the UK, these creams are only available with a doctor's prescription.
Preventing Further Skin Damage from Re-exposure
Minimize sun exposure as much as possible. It’s best to stay in the shade or wear protective clothing to cover affected areas if you must go outside in the sun.
Apply sunscreen. Use sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 whenever you go outdoors. Reapply every hour, after swimming or sweating heavily, or as directed on the product packaging.
Drink plenty of water. Sunburn can lead to dehydration, so it’s crucial to stay hydrated during recovery. Aim for eight to ten glasses of water daily, with each glass containing about 240 ml of water, to support your body’s healing process.
Use fragrance-free moisturizers during recovery. Once blisters have healed and redness has subsided slightly, apply a fragrance-free moisturizer to the sunburned area. Continue this for several days or weeks to prevent peeling and reduce skin discomfort.
Seeking Medical Assistance
Call emergency services if the sunburn condition becomes severe. Dial emergency numbers if you or someone you know experiences any of the following symptoms:
- Inability to stand due to extreme weakness
- Confusion or inability to think clearly
- Loss of consciousness
Contact a doctor if you exhibit signs of a heart attack or dehydration. If sunburn is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, seek hospital care immediately. If any of these symptoms are debilitating, call emergency services rather than scheduling a doctor's appointment.
- Feeling weak
- Experiencing dizziness or fainting
- Persistent headaches or pain unrelieved by the pain management methods listed in this article
- Rapid heartbeat or breathing
- Constant thirst, inability to urinate, or sunken eyes
- Pale, cold, or clammy skin
- Nausea, fever, chills, or rash
- Eye pain and sensitivity to light
- Painful blisters, especially if they spread over 1.25 cm
- Vomiting or diarrhea
Monitor for signs of infection. If you experience the following symptoms, especially around the blister area, your skin may be infected. Immediate medical attention is required.
- Increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth around the blisters
- Red streaks emanating from the blisters
- Pus discharge from blisters
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin
- Fever
Call emergency services if you suffer from third-degree burns. Although rare, sun-induced third-degree burns can occur. If your skin appears charred, pale and white, dark brown, or blistered and rough, call emergency services immediately. Elevate the sunburned area above heart level while waiting for help, and loosen clothing to prevent it from sticking to the burn, but do not remove the clothing.
Treating Blisters
Seek medical assistance. Visit a hospital if sunburn causes your skin to blister. This indicates severe sunburn requiring medical treatment, as blisters can lead to infections. While awaiting medical care, or if your doctor doesn’t provide specific treatment instructions, you can follow these preventive measures and recommendations.
Avoid attempting to remove blisters. Severe sunburn can cause blisters to form as “bubbles” on the skin. Do not pop them, and avoid rubbing or scratching them off. Broken blisters can result in infections and scarring.
- If the blisters are particularly bothersome, consult a doctor to have them safely and sterilely removed.
Cover blisters with clean bandages. Wash your hands with soap and water before applying or changing bandages to minimize infection risk. Use adhesive bandages for small blisters and sterile gauze or surgical tape for larger ones, securing them with medical tape. Change the bandages daily until the blisters heal completely.
Consider using antibiotic ointments if signs of infection appear. Apply antibiotic ointments (such as polymyxin B or bacitracin) to blisters if you suspect an infection. Signs include foul odor, yellow pus discharge, redness, or skin irritation. It’s best to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and tailored treatment plan.
- Remember, ointments may cause allergic reactions in some individuals, so test a small amount on unaffected skin first to ensure no adverse reaction occurs.
Handling Broken Blisters. Avoid peeling off the loose skin from a burst blister. While you can easily remove it later, it's best not to irritate the skin further at this stage.
Using Home Remedies
Take responsibility if you choose to use home remedies. The following remedies lack scientific validation and should not replace medical treatment. Certain home remedies, such as egg whites, peanut butter, moisturizing wax, and vinegar, may hinder healing or worsen inflammation.
Apply pure aloe vera immediately to sunburns, or ideally, use fresh aloe vera. Regular and prompt application can heal even severe sunburns within one or two days.
Using Tea. Steep three or four tea bags in a pot of warm water. Once the tea turns dark brown, remove the bags and let the tea cool. Soak a cloth in the tea and dab it on sunburned areas as often as possible. Do not rinse the tea off your skin. If the cloth causes discomfort, use the tea bags directly.
- Apply this remedy before bed and leave it overnight.
- Be aware that tea can stain clothing and bedding.
Consider consuming antioxidant-rich foods and those high in vitamin C. If you've recently experienced sunburn (skin is still red and not peeling), try incorporating more antioxidant and vitamin C-rich foods like blueberries, tomatoes, and cherries into your diet. Studies suggest this approach reduces the body's need for hydration, lowering the risk of dehydration.
Use ointments made from calendula. Calendula-based ointments are particularly effective for severe sunburns accompanied by blisters. You can find these at natural health stores; consult the seller or a therapist for guidance. Remember, no natural remedy can fully heal serious injuries; seek immediate medical attention for severe sunburns or non-healing blisters.
Apply witch hazel solution. This method helps soothe your skin. Gently apply the solution to the sunburned area and leave it undisturbed.
Use Oleova (egg oil). Egg oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids like Docosahexaenoic Acid. It also contains immunoglobulins, xanthophylls (lutein and zeaxanthin), and cholesterol. The omega-3 fatty acids in egg oil bind with phospholipids, forming lipid nanoparticles that penetrate deeply into the skin and promote healing.
- Massage the affected area with egg oil twice daily. Gently massage the sunburned and surrounding areas within a 2 cm radius for 10 minutes each session.
- Leave the solution on the skin for at least an hour, avoiding direct sunlight.
- Rinse with a mild, pH-balanced cleanser. Avoid soap or other alkaline products.
- Repeat twice daily until the skin heals.
Advice
- Dice a few tomatoes and apply them to sunburned areas – this method can help alleviate the burning sensation.
- Place a warm towel over the affected area to soothe the burn.
- Sunburn is closely linked to skin cancer, especially blistering sunburns. Regularly check your body for signs of skin cancer, educate yourself about other cancer risks, and consult a doctor if necessary.
- Surprisingly, glass cleaner solutions can help ease the pain of sunburn.
- Studies have shown that aloe vera does not effectively treat sunburn.
- Use appropriate sunscreen to avoid sunburn. Sunscreen is highly effective in protecting the skin from sunburn. A good sunscreen should have an SPF of at least 30 to shield the skin from UVB rays, which cause sunburn. Additionally, it should protect against UVA rays, as they also play a significant role in sun damage. Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before sun exposure for optimal protection.
Warning
- Be cautious when using medications, including natural remedies and essential oils, that may increase skin sensitivity to sunlight.
- Avoid applying ice directly to sunburned skin, as it can cause a 'cold burn' sensation, which is equally painful and may worsen skin damage.
- Do not squeeze, poke, scratch, or peel sunburned skin. These actions can irritate the skin further. Removing peeling skin does not speed up the tanning process or healing; it only increases the risk of infection.
- Even sunbathing to achieve a 'tan' can damage the skin and elevate the risk of skin cancer.
