Sunburn Treatment

On this page you will learn about various types of sunburn treatment, what makes you more susceptible to sunburn and what are some of the symptoms of sunburn.

At some point in your life, you will most likely have a sunburn. The results of too much sun exposure on your unprotected skin is a sunburn. Visits to the beach, working in the backyard, going fishing or simply being out in the sun, can cause a sunburn. Another source of sunburn is the improper use of a tanning bed.

Sunburn is the burning of your skin by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Within thirty minutes of exposure to the sun your skin can be damaged causing inflammation of the skin and either a first, second or third degree burn.

• Light-skinned and fair-haired people are at greater risk.
  
  
• Regions close to the equator and places at high altitudes.
  
  
• Not wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater.
  
  
• Certain prescription medications (check with your doctor).
  
  
• Prior skin injury or over exposure to the sun.
  
  
• UVB rays are the most damaging and have been know to cause skin cancer.

• Skin redness and irritation.
  
  
• Heavily exposed skin can cause a person to go into shock.
  
  
• Extreme cases can cause sun poisoning which may be complicated by severe burning of the skin, blistering, electrolyte imbalance, dehydration and infection.
  
  
• Other common symptoms are, chills, fever, nausea, or vomiting or both, flu-like symptoms and sunburn peeling after four to five days after exposure.

• Extreme pain.
  
  
• Severe headache.
  
  
• Severe blistering.
  
  
• Nausea or vomiting.
  
  
• Confusion or fainting.
  
  
• Severe sunburn that covers a large portion of your body.
  
  
• A severe problem with another medical condition.

Once you have a sunburn the damage is done. There is no quick fix to sunburn treatment. Sunburn can take up to 12-24 hours after sun exposure for you to know the full extent of the damage. It could take several days for your skin to begin the healing process.

• Keep the skin cool, by applying a cool-damp towel, cold compress (do not use ice)to the affected skin or take a cool bath.
  
  
• Keep the skin moist by apply moisturizing cream (non-oil based), aloe vera cream or gel or other over the counter sunburn products (check with your pharmacist).
  
  
• Leave blisters alone. Do not break them, that will slow down the healing process and risk an infection. To protect the blisters, lightly cover with a non-stick sterile gauze pad.
  
  
• If necessary, take a pain reliever such as, Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin or other). Follow label instructions.
  
  
• Take the pain reliever until redness and soreness is alleviated. Children and teenagers should not be given aspirin.
  
  
• Skin that is peeling should be treated gently. Within a few days when the affected area begins to peel continue using moisturizing cream.
  
  
• Use sunscreen liberally and frequently to prevent further damage to your sunburn. Some studies have shown that we only use half of the recommended amount.