How to Get Rid of a Bad Sunburn
If your several hours spent basking in the sun have left you redder than a lobster and screaming in pain whenever anything or anyone brushes up against your skin, there are steps you can take to facilitate your skin's healing process. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a quick-fix for a bad sunburn. It will most likely take several days before the burn' symptoms begin to ease. Nonetheless, taking proper care of your damaged skin will help the burn disappear more quickly.
Instructions
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Keep the affected area moist. One of the most popular methods for achieving this is to apply aloe vera to the burn. Refrigerate the leaves from an aloe vera plant, peel off their top layer and apply the leaf directly to the skin. Alternatively, purchase a bottle of aloe vera gel from your local pharmacy. You can also moisten the area with a warm shower; the warm water speeds up the healing process by increasing circulation in the area.
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Leave any blisters to heal on their own. Breaking or picking at them will only slow down the healing process and put you at a higher risk of infection. You can cover blisters with a thin layer of gauze to protect them from coming into contact with friction while they heal.
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Avoid the sun as much as is possible until the sunburn has healed, to prevent worsening the damage. If you must go into the sun between noon and 3 p.m., when the rays are at their strongest, wear a hat and try to cover the burnt area with a layer of clothing.
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Drink plenty of fluids to keep your body hydrated while it heals. The burn will take much longer to heal if the rest of your body is not adequately hydrated. Being hydrated will also allow you to sweat more; the perspiration helps keep your skin cool and diminishes some of the pain from the burn.
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Consult with a physician if you do not notice any improvement within a few days. He can prescribe oral steroid therapy to help with the healing process if he deems the burn severe enough.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not apply any products containing alcohol to the burn. The alcohol will further dry out the damaged skin, prolonging the healing process.
Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D. of the Mayo Clinic warns against the use of sunburn products containing the anesthetic benzocaine, which has been linked to a rare, yet potentially fatal condition that decreases the blood's ability to hold oxygen. Never use benzocaine or benzocaine-containing products on a child under the age of two unless specifically instructed to do so by a medical professional.
Skip trying to treat the sunburn yourself and seek immediate medical treatment if the burn is accompanied by severe blistering, a fever, headaches, confusion, fainting, nausea or vomiting.
References
- Photo Credit Ralf Nau/Lifesize/Getty Images
