Skin can burn if it gets too much sun without proper protection from sunscreen and clothes. It is crucial to treat sunburn with first aid as soon as you notice it to help heal and soothe stinging skin. Although it may seem like a temporary medical condition, it can cause long-lasting damage to the skin. This damage increases a person’s risk of skin cancer, making it critical to protect the skin from the sun.
First aid treatment for sunburn is essential to alleviate discomfort and help your skin heal. Here are the steps to provide effective first aid for sunburn:
- Get Out of the Sun: The first thing to do when you notice sunburn is to get out of the sun immediately. Further exposure can worsen the burn.
- Cool Down: Take cool (not cold) showers or baths and apply cool compresses to help relieve sunburn pain. Avoid using hot water, as it can make the burn worse. If a shower isn't possible, use a clean, cool, damp cloth to gently pat your skin.
- Moisturize: After the initial cool-down, apply a moisturizing lotion or cream to lock in moisture. Avoid lotions with alcohol, which can be drying.
- Over-the-Counter Pain Relief: If your sunburn is painful, consider taking an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or aspirin. Follow the dosage instructions on the label.
- Consult a Doctor: If your sunburn is severe, covers a large area, blisters, or if you experience symptoms like fever or chills, seek medical attention. Severe sunburn may require professional treatment.
1. Get Out of the Sun
Sunburn occurs when your skin has been exposed to the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays for an extended period. The first step in treating sunburn is to minimize further exposure to these rays. When you notice sunburn, immediately seek shade or head indoors to prevent further sun exposure. Prolonged exposure can worsen the burn and increase discomfort.
2. Cool Down
Take a cool (not cold) shower or bath. The cool water helps reduce skin temperature and provides instant relief. Avoid using hot water, as it can irritate the skin further. If a shower isn't available, use a clean, cool, damp cloth to gently pat your skin.
Cool Baths for Pain
Use cool, wet washcloths on the sunburned area several times daily to reduce pain and burning. For more extensive burns, give cool baths for 10 minutes. YSome people find relief from a short cool bath with baking soda, but evidence is limited and this is not part of standard dermatology guidelines. Do not use soap on sunburn.
3. Moisturize
After cooling down, apply a moisturizing lotion or cream to your skin. Look for products that contain ingredients like ceramides or hyaluronic acid to help lock in moisture. Avoid lotions with alcohol, as they can be drying to the skin.
Moisturizing the skin helps relieve dryness and discomfort. Products containing aloe vera or soy may feel soothing, but studies show mixed results for aloe’s effectiveness in treating sunburn.
Low-strength hydrocortisone cream may help itching or irritation in some cases, but studies show limited benefit for immediate sunburn relief. Avoid using it on broken skin or blisters.
4. Over-the-Counter Pain Relief
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or aspirin may help reduce pain and swelling. Use them only as directed on the label and if they are safe for you. Follow the dosage instructions on the label and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns or are taking other medications.
For sunburns that are particularly painful or itchy, an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream may provide relief. Follow the instructions on the product label and consult a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.
Ibuprofen to Reduce Pain and Other Symptoms
Ibuprofen is a drug that can block inflammatory reactions of the skin. As a result, it can reduce the redness and swelling. But, it needs to be started early. The redness is often not seen until 4 hours after sun exposure, and the pain and redness keep worsening. So if you think you got too much sun, take ibuprofen immediately to reduce pain and other symptoms. Don’t wait for redness; take it three times per day for two days.
5. Consult a Doctor
If your sunburn is severe, covers a large area of your body, blisters, or if you experience symptoms like fever, chills, nausea, or confusion, seek medical attention promptly. Severe sunburn may require professional treatment, including prescription medications and specialized care.
What is Sunburn?
Sunburn refers to the damage to the outermost layers of skin after getting too much ultraviolet radiation from the sun. It appears as reddening, inflammation, and tenderness of the skin and usually occurs between 12 and 24 hours after the exposure. Sunburns can develop into blistering and skin peeling . It's a sign that your body is trying to shed its damaged skin cells and shedding the outer layer of skin. You may also experience headaches, fever, or nausea with severe sunburn. It's important to seek immediate medical attention if you are sunburned and experience:
- Confusion
- An infection in the sunburned area
- Dehydration
Severity of Sunburn
The severity of sunburns is categorized based on skin damage. Most sunburns are first- or second-degree burns. Severe blistering or systemic symptoms require medical evaluation.
- First-degree sunburn: It damages your skin's outer layer. Most sunburns are first-degree burn that turns the skin pink or red. This sunburn usually heals in a few days to a week.
- Second-degree sunburn: Prolonged sun exposure can cause blistering and a second-degree burn (damage to the inner layer of your skin). This type of sunburn can take weeks to heal and may need medical treatment.
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