5 Expert Steps To Treat A Sunburn

Hey, we’ve all been there once or twice some even more than twice, yikes! Yes, I’m referring to sunburns, be it due to losing track of time, forgetting to apply sunscreen or you didn’t think that you would actually get sunburned. You now can tell even after getting out of the sun and thinking you did so in time to not have burned, you’re going to be lobster-red and miserable. It can take several hours for the full damage a sunburn to show itself. So at the first sign, get out of the sun and follow these steps to treat a sunburn from dermatologist Jeffrey Brackeen, MD, a member of The Skin Cancer Foundation.

What To Do If You’re Already Sunburned:

1. Take Action To Cool It Down And Cover Up Fast!

The second you realize you sun burnt and if you’re able to you need to take a quick dip in a cold pool, ocean, lake or even a bathtub, to cool your skin, but only for a few seconds so you don’t prolong your skin’s exposure and ultimately making the burn worse. After that cold dip, you then need to cover up the burn completely and immediately get out of the sun. Next, continue to cool the burn with cold compresses. You can use ice to make ice water for a cold compress, but don’t apply ice directly to the sunburn, also don’t rub or put to much pressure on the compress. Refrain from taking a cool shower or bath, but not for too long, which can be drying, and avoid harsh soap, which might irritate your skin even more.

2.  Dampen Skin Before Applying Moisturizer

Apply a gentle moisturizing lotion to wet or damp skin. Repeat to keep burned or peeling skin moist over the next few days. Be sure not to use any petroleum or oil-based ointments, which may trap the heat and make the burn worse. 

3. Decrease And Sooth The Inflammation

At the first sign of a sunburn, Dr. Brackeen, who practices at the Skin Cancer Institute in Lubbock, Texas says, taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin, can help with discomfort and inflammation. You can continue with the NSAIDs as directed till the burn feels better. You can also use a 1 percent over-the-counter cortisone cream as directed for a few days to help calm redness and swelling. Aloe vera may also soothe mild burns and is generally considered safe. Be sure to wear loose, soft, breathable clothing to avoid further skin irritation, and stay out of the sun!

4. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

You may become dehydrated as burns draw fluid to the burn area on the skin’s surface and away from the rest of the body. Making it vitally important to rehydrate immediately and while your skin heals, by drinking extra liquids, including water and sports drinks that help to replenish electrolytes.

5. How To Tell If You Need To See a Doctor?

You should seek medical care if you or a child has severe blistering over a large portion of the body, has a fever and chills, or is woozy or confused. Don’t scratch or pop blisters, which can lead to infection.   Red streaks or oozing pus are signs of infection.

In A Nutshell:

At the end of the day or more like a hand full of days your skin will heal, but that’s not to say that real damage hasn’t been done when it has. “Repeat sunburns put you at a substantial risk for skin cancer and premature skin aging.  So learn from this sunburn, take steps to change from treating damage that is done, to preventing the damage from happing in the first place and commit to protecting yourself every day from the sun, all year long. Here is a quick guide on helping to prevent sunburns and skin cancer from The Skin Cancer Foundation. Remember how bad this sunburn felt,