Sun Burn Treatment

Home care starts before sunburns happen. If you are prepared before going out in the sun, you surely won’t need these tips and techniques.

Immediate self-care is aimed at blocking the UV radiation.

- Get out of the sun

- Cover nude skin

- Don’t use tanning beds

- Relief of the lesions becomes important.

- Medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen are helpful, especially when administered early.

Minor sunburns can be treated by applying cool compresses with a mix of milk and water. You may also apply cold compresses with Burow’s solution. You can buy these at a drugstore. Dissolve 1 packet in 1 pint of water. Immerse gauze or a soft clean cloth in it. Carefully wring out the cloth and apply to the affected area for 15-20 minutes. Change or refresh the cloth and solution every 2-3 hours.

There are several commercially available brands of aloe-based products. This ingredient has been known to be beneficial for skin renewal and can be found in any local drugstore. You can also tear off a piece of the aloe plant, split open the leaf and use the cool jellylike substance found inside the leaves to soothe your skin.

Cool (not ice cold) baths may also help. Avoid bath salts, oils, and perfumes because these may generate sensitivity reactions. Avoid scrubbing or shaving sun burned skin. Use soft towels to carefully dry yourself. Do not rub. Once you have done this, apply a light, fragrance-free skin moisturizer.

Avoid using lotions that contain topical anesthetic medications because you may become sensitized and then allergic to that medicine.

Obviously, avoid the sun while you are sunburned.

Medical Treatment for Sunburns

Silver sulfadiazine (1% cream, Thermazene) can be used for treatment of sunburn with opportune cautions about use on the face.

If your case is mild and not life threatening, the doctor may simply suggest plenty of fluids, aspirin, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications.

Additional local measures like cool compresses, Burow solution soaks, or high-quality moisturizing creams and lotions may be recommended.

If your case is severe enough, oral steroid treatment (cortisonelike medications) may be prescribed for some days. Steroid creams placed on the skin show minimal to no benefit.

Stronger pain-relieving medication may be prescribed in certain cases.

If you suffer blistering, steroids may be withheld to avoid an increased risk of infection. If you are dehydrated or suffering from heat stress, intravenous fluids will be administered, and you may be admitted to the hospital. People with very severe cases may be transferred to the hospital’s burn unit.

Damage left by sunburns or other causes can now be minimized applying a natural skin care product created to rejuvenate your skin and recover its old functionality.

– Sandrine Magrin