How to Treat Sunburn

This article is posted under Skin care

Whether you’re gearing up for a day at the beach or a trip to the desert, you should always prepare yourself against the sun and its effects.  You may look good with a perfect tan, but overdo it and you’ll have red and sore spots that may get infected.  In the event that you forgot to slather on sunscreen or dozed off under the sun, here are just a few tips to treat sunburned skin.

Step 1:  Apply cold compress

Wet a small towel with clean and cool water and put it over the affected areas.  This will help cool down sunburned spots as well as directly rehydrate the skin on it.  If you feel the heat being absorbed by the compress, rinse it with clean and cool water again.

Step 2:  Take a shower

You literally need to cool down because heat from UV rays can get absorbed by your skin and your body.  In fact, your skin continues to cook even if you’ve been out of the sun for hours.  Cool off by taking a shower using cool (not cold) and clean water.  You can literally feel the heat evaporate as you shower and cool down.

Step 3:  Go with aloe

This succulent plant can actually help soothe your sunburned skin.  You can break off a leaf, wash it, then apply the gel-like meat onto your skin like an ointment.  For better results, you can keep an aloe vera leaf in the fridge for an hour or so before applying the gel for the cooling effect.

Step 4:  Moisturize

You can also use cooling or after sun lotions with aloe vera or lecithin in them.  These not only cool off your skin but also restore the skin’s balance and moisture.

Step 5:  Disinfect, in case of blisters or wounds

If blisters occur, clean the area carefully with a gentle disinfectant.  Do not rupture or pick at blisters or freshly-healed scabs.  Air-drying makes it heal better faster and safer.  You can also use a light gauze to protect the area from dirt.  You can take mild doses of analgesic when the pain becomes unbearable.  However, aspirin should not be given to children and teenagers to avoid Reye’s syndrome.

Though time is the only sure way to heal sunburns, you can spare yourself the pain and the embarrassment by applying ample sunscreen on your body prior to sun exposure.  Try to stay out of the sun, especially during times when UV concentration is high.  If fever builds up or when the pain won’t go away, then it might be time to consult a doctor.

Photo Credit : shygantic

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Treating Sunburn – On treating sunburn and other first aid related concerns.
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