Health - Family - Food

Home care starts before a sunburn. If you are prepared before going out in the sun, you surely won't need these advices and techniques.

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

- Get out of the sun

- Protect exposed skin

- Don't use tanning beds

- Relief of the lesions becomes important.

- Medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen are helpful, especially when started 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 find 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 put on the sunburned area for 15-20 minutes. Change or refresh the cloth and solution every 2-3 hours.

There are several commercially available types 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 apply the cool jellylike substance found inside the leaves to soothe your skin.

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

Avoid using lotions containing topical anesthetic medications because you can 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 applied 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 such as cool compresses, Burow solution soaks, or high-quality moisturizing creams and lotions may be recommended.

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

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

If you have 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 grievous cases may be derived to the hospital's burn unit.