The sun, tanning lamps or any other source of ultraviolet light can cause a burn or redness of delicate skin. Prevention is better than cure, especially since skin damage is permanent; However, there are treatments you can follow to help heal, prevent infection, and reduce pain.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Relieve Pain and Discomfort
Step 1. Take a fresh, gentle bath or shower
Keep the water a little less than lukewarm (cool, but don't make your teeth chatter) and relax for 10 to 20 minutes. If you shower, use a gentle stream of water, make sure it's not violent, to avoid irritating your skin. Air dry or pat gently with a towel so as not to damage the skin.
- Avoid using soap, bath oils, or other cleansers when bathing or showering, as these products can irritate the skin and even aggravate the effects of sunburn.
- If blisters have formed on the skin, it is advisable to take a bath instead of a shower, as the pressure of the jet could cause them to burst.
Step 2. Apply a cold, wet compress
Wet a washcloth or other towel with cold water and lay it on the affected area for 20 to 30 minutes. Wet it with water as often as necessary.
Step 3. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever
Non-prescription medications, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, can reduce pain and sometimes even inflammation.
Do not give aspirin to children. Instead, choose a few medications that are specific and contain the right dosage of paracetamol for children. Pediatric ibuprofen is a good solution, thanks to its possible anti-inflammatory effect
Step 4. Try a topical pain reliever
In the pharmacy you can also find specific sprays to give relief to red and itchy skin. Products containing benzocaine, lidocaine or pramoxine have an anesthetic effect and somewhat relieve pain. However, as these are potentially allergenic drugs, it is best to test them on a healthy skin area first and wait a day to see if they cause an itchy or red reaction.
These sprays should not be applied to children under 2 years of age without a doctor's advice. These are drugs that contain methyl salicylate or trolamine salicylate and can be dangerous for children under 12, while capsaicin is dangerous for people under the age of 18 or anyone allergic to chili
Step 5. Wear loose, comfortable cotton clothing over sunburned areas
A loose-fitting T-shirt and loose, cotton pajama bottoms are great items of clothing to wear during your recovery period when you are recovering from sunburn. If you can't wear loose fitting clothing, at least make sure it's cotton (this fabric allows the skin to "breathe") and that it fits as comfortably as possible.
Wool and some synthetic fabrics are particularly irritating due to the rough fibers or the heat that gets trapped on the epidermis
Step 6. Consider putting on cortisone cream
This product is based on steroids which can reduce inflammation, although some studies show that they have little effect on sunburn. If you think it's still worth a try, you can find low-dose over-the-counter products in drugstores. Look for ones that contain hydrocortisone or some other similar active ingredient.
- Do not use cortisone cream on children or the facial area. Ask your pharmacist if you have any doubts or concerns about using this cream.
- In the UK, this drug cannot be sold as an over-the-counter sunburn medication.
Part 2 of 5: Preventing New Exposures and Further Damage
Step 1. Minimize sun exposure
Your best bet would be to stay in the shade or wear clothes on the burned areas if you have to go out and still be out in the sun.
Step 2. Put on sunscreen
Use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every time you go outdoors. Apply it every hour, after being in the water, if you sweat a lot or in any case according to the instructions on the product package.
Step 3. Drink lots of water
A sunburn can dehydrate the body, so to counterbalance this effect, it is important to drink plenty of water during the healing process. Eight to ten 8-ounce glasses of water per day are recommended during recovery.
Step 4. Apply an unscented moisturizer to the skin as it begins to heal on the surface
If you no longer have open blisters or the redness from sunburn has subsided a little, you can safely start putting on a moisturizer. Apply a generous amount to sunburned areas over the next few days or weeks to prevent flaking and irritation.
Part 3 of 5: Seeking Medical Treatment
Step 1. Call an emergency number if conditions are severe
Call an ambulance if you or a friend have one or more of these symptoms:
- Extreme weakness that does not allow to remain standing;
- Confusional state or inability to think clearly
- Fainting.
Step 2. Contact a doctor if you have any signs of heatstroke or dehydration
If you have any of the symptoms listed below, in addition to sunburn, see a doctor as soon as possible. If you find that even one of these disorders is debilitating, contact an emergency number rather than wait to make a doctor's appointment:
- Feeling of weakness;
- Feeling faint or dizzy
- Headache or pain that does not go away following the methods to relieve it described below;
- Rapid breathing or heartbeats;
- Extreme thirst, with no urine production or sunken eyes;
- Pale, clammy, or cool skin
- Nausea, fever, chills, or a rash;
- Eye pain and sensitivity to light;
- Severe and painful blisters, especially if they are larger than 1.25 cm;
- Vomiting or diarrhea.
Step 3. Check for signs of infection
If you are experiencing the following symptoms, especially around the blisters, it means that the skin is infected. In this case, you must absolutely contact your doctor who can provide you with adequate treatment.
- Increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth around the blisters
- Red streaks branching off from the blisters
- Pus leaking from the blisters
- Swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin
- Fever.
Step 4. Call the ambulance if you have a third degree burn
Although rare, it is possible to get a third degree burn from sunburn. If your skin looks charred, pale and white, very dark brown, or has raised, leathery areas, don't waste time and call the emergency room right away. Lift the affected area above heart level while you wait for medical attention, and remove or remove clothing to prevent it from sticking to the burn, cutting it instead of pulling it off the body.
Part 4 of 5: Treating the Blisters
Step 1. See a doctor
Contact a doctor immediately if sunburn blisters have formed on the skin. They are clear signs of a severe burn that should be treated with the advice of medical personnel, as blisters can generate infections. While you are waiting to go to your clinic, or if your doctor does not recommend any specific treatment, please follow the general guidelines and advice described below.
Step 2. Leave the blisters intact
If the sunburn is severe, "bubble" blisters can form on the skin. Don't try to pop them and avoid rubbing or scratching them; if you pop them you could infect them or cause scars.
If there is no chance that the blisters will remain intact, go to your doctor for him to break them with sterile equipment and in a safe environment
Step 3. Protect blisters with a clean dressing
Wash your hands with soap and water before putting on or changing the bandage to prevent infections. When the blisters are small enough they can be covered with an adhesive bandage (plaster), but larger ones need to be protected by a sterile gauze or surgical dressing, which you can gently secure in place with medical tape. Change the dressing every day until the blister is gone.
Step 4. Try antibiotic ointment if you notice any signs of infection
Consider applying antibiotic cream (such as polymyxin B or bacitracin) to the blisters if you are concerned that they are infected. You may notice a bad-smelling infection coming from the blisters, if yellow pus is leaking, or if you notice increased redness and irritation on your skin. The best thing, however, is to see a doctor to get a precise diagnosis and specific advice for treating the symptoms.
Be aware that some people are allergic to these medications, so you should get a test on a non-sunburned area of your skin first to make sure you don't have a bad reaction
Step 5. Manage a burst bladder
Absolutely avoid detaching the flaps of skin that form when the bubble breaks. They should come off on their own pretty quickly; so don't risk irritating your skin even more now.
Part 5 of 5: Home Remedies
Step 1. Implement them and use them at your own risk
The remedies described below have not been sufficiently verified from a medical point of view and should not replace treatments that have instead proved scientifically reliable. Other solutions that are not listed in this tutorial can even delay healing or facilitate an infection. Avoid substances such as egg white, peanut butter, petroleum jelly, and vinegar in particular.
Step 2. Immediately apply 100% aloe vera or, better yet, pure aloe directly from the plant
This method can fix even the worst sunburn in a day or two if applied immediately and often.
Step 3. Try the tea method
Infuse three or four tea bags in a jug of hot water. When the tea turns almost black, remove the bags and let the liquid cool to room temperature. Gently blot the burned areas with a tea-soaked cloth; the more the cloth is soaked, the better. Do not rinse the drink from the affected areas. If the cloth is causing you pain, dab the tea bags directly on the burn.
- Try this remedy before going to bed and leave the infusion on your skin overnight.
- Remember that tea can stain clothes and sheets.
Step 4. Consider eating foods containing antioxidants and vitamin C
If the burn is very recent (the area is still red, but the skin is not scaly), try eating foods rich in these elements, such as blueberries, tomatoes and cherries. A study showed that this way the body needs less fluids, thus reducing the risk of dehydration.
Step 5. Try calendula ointment
Some people find calendula ointment particularly effective for severe burns accompanied by blisters. You can easily find it in natural products stores or herbalists; ask the clerk or retailer for more advice and details. Be aware that no herbal treatment is appropriate for treating severe injuries; If the burn is serious or you find that the blisters are not healing, you need to see a doctor promptly.
Step 6. Apply witch hazel lotion
This treatment is able to soothe the skin. Apply the product very carefully on the affected area and let it act.
Step 7. Use egg oil
Egg yolk oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid. It also contains immunoglobulins, xanthophylls (lutein and zeaxanthin) and cholesterol. The omega-3 fatty acids in egg oil are bound to phospholipids, which have the ability to form liposomes (nanoparticles) which in turn are able to penetrate deeply and heal the dermis.
- Massage damaged skin with egg oil twice a day. Do a gentle massage on the affected area and also on healthy skin up to 2.5cm from the lesion for 10 minutes in each of the two daily sessions.
- Leave the product on the area for at least an hour, avoiding exposure to direct sunlight.
- Finally, wash the skin with a mild soap with a neutral pH. Avoid soaps or other products that contain alkaline substances.
- Repeat the treatment twice a day, until the skin returns to its original condition before the burn.
Advice
- Sunburn, especially those with blisters, has been associated with some forms of cancer that have developed in subsequent years. Check your skin yourself occasionally to check for signs of skin cancer and learn about other risk factors. consult a doctor for advice if needed.
- Place a warm washcloth on the sunburned area.
- Some testimonials have stated that aloe vera has no effect on sunburn.
- Apply adequate sunscreen to avoid sunburn. It is essential to protect yourself if you do not want to burn yourself in the sun. A good sunscreen must have at least SPF 30 to avoid getting sunburnt skin. The abbreviation "SPF" indicates the sun protection factor of the product to prevent the skin from being damaged when UVB rays are high. However, know that a good sunscreen must also protect against UVA rays. The latter affect burns even more, so it would be advisable to use a good sunscreen that guarantees maximum protection. The cream should be applied to the skin 15 minutes before exposure to the sun.
Warnings
- Don't tease, poke, scratch, or peel your sunburn, or you can irritate them even more. If you remove the burnt skin layer, you do not show a tanned underlying layer, nor do you speed up the process of removing "dead skin"; what you can cause, however, is an infection.
- Don't put ice on a sunburn. You may feel an "ice burn", which can be almost as painful as sunburn and can further damage the skin.
- Pay particular attention to all medications and medications (including herbal remedies and essential oils) that indicate increased sensitivity to sunlight as one of their side effects.
- Sun exposure that generates a tan but not sunburn also causes skin damage and can increase the risk of some dermal cancers.
