Solar Burns
Home care starts before a sunburn. If you are prepared before going out in the sun, you probably won’t need these tips and techniques.
Immediate self-care is aimed at blocking the UV rays.
- Get out of the sun
- Cover nude skin
- Avoid the tanning bed
- Relief of the lesions becomes important.
- Medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen are useful, especially when started early.
Mild sunburns can be treated by applying cool compresses with a mix of milk and water. You may also use cold compresses with Burow’s solution. You can buy this at a drugstore. Dissolve 1 packet in 1 pint of water. Soak gauze or a soft clean cloth in it. Gently 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 many commercially available types of aloe-based lotions. 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 apply the cool jellylike material found inside the leaves to soothe your skin.
Cool (not ice cold) baths can also help. Steer clear of bath salts, oils, and perfumes because these can generate sensitivity reactions. Do not scrub or shave sun burned skin. Use soft towels to carefully dry yourself. Do not rub. Once you have done this, use a soft, fragrance-free skin moisturizer.
Avoid using lotions that contain topical anesthetic medications because you can become sensitized and even allergic to that medicine.
Needless to say, avoid the sun while you are sunburned.
Medical Treatment for Sunburns
Silver sulfadiazine (1% cream, Thermazene) can be used for treatment of sunburn with appropriate cautions about use on the face.
If your case is mild and not life threatening, the doctor can simply recommend plenty of liquids, aspirin, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications.
Additional topical measures like cool compresses, Burow solution soaks, or high-quality moisturizing creams and lotions can be recommended.
If your case is severe enough, oral steroid therapy (cortisonelike medications) can be prescribed for several days. Steroid creams used on the skin show minimal to no benefit.
Stronger pain-relieving medication can be prescribed in certain cases.
If you have blistering, steroids can be withheld to avoid an augmented risk of infection. If you are dehydrated or suffering from heat stress, IV 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 inflicted by sunburns or other causes can now be alleviated using a natural skin care solution created to regenerate your skin and restore its old functionality.
- Sandrine Magrin