How to treat sunburn?
Carla
Specialist in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Overview
Sunburns should be avoided as much as possible, as even minor sunburns can damage the skin and increase the risk of skin cancer. You can feel the warmth of the sun, but you can't feel the UV rays, so they can still hurt your skin on cool, cloudy days. However, UV rays have nothing to do with the heat of the sun and can damage the skin even on cool, cloudy days. High doses of UVA radiation can also cause sunburn, genetic damage to skin cells, and skin cancer.
What is a sunburn?
Sunburn is a type of radiation burn caused by the overexposure of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. This causes direct DNA damage to skin cells and triggers a defensive immune response in which the body destroys damaged cells through a process known as apoptosis (programmed cell death).
What are the symptoms of sunburn?
Skin redness; painful to touch; mild swelling More severe redness and pain; blisters; may leak fluid; some loss of skin may occur Blistering and loss of skin layers; may be painless due to loss of nerves; dry and leathery skin; skin may look red, pink, white, or tan colored; may look charred, but this is typically due to a chemical or fire burn.
Sunburn is not just painful--it also raises your risk of developing skin cancer and accelerates wrinkling.also for a more severe sunburn, you may see blisters that will fade over time (do not pop them intentionally!).
How to treat sunburn?
If you have a sunburn, there are things you can do to relieve the pain and heal the skin wound more effectively:
Apply a clean washcloth moistened with cold running water to the affected skin. Take a cold bath or shower and keep it short to avoid further drying of the skin. Alternatively, take a cool shower or bath, but not for too long, as this can dry out your skin, and avoid harsh soaps, which can further irritate your skin.
The best way to replenish your skin is to rehydrate immediately after you get sunburned and for the next several days. “Drinking water and sports drinks can help hydrate you and replenish electrolytes,” says Dr. Mathur.
If you're near a cold pool, lake or ocean, take a quick soak to cool your skin, but only for a few seconds to avoid prolonging the effect.also Drink plenty of water, as sun exposure can lead to dehydration and sunburn.
If you must wash your face with soap, take something delicate and rinse it off thoroughly—soap residue will be dry and will only worsen the sunburn.
While your skin is still wet, apply a moisturizer cream or lotion to help seal in moisture, Dr. Piliang says. In the first few days after the initial burn, apply moisturizer frequently to limit dryness.
HiSqin™ Gotu Kola Calming Gel
This Seaweed-based soothing gel provides the ultimate hydration while calming botanicals tend to sensitive or irritated skin.
May be used daily or nightly as a moisturizer or as a post treatment on irritated or inflamed skin.
Rich in Shiitake and Mannentake Mushroom BioComplex, the unique gel texture immediately cools when applied to even the most sensitive skin.
When to see a doctor?
See a doctor for sunburn treatment if a severe sunburn blisters most of the body, if the sunburn is accompanied by a high fever or severe pain, or if a severe sunburn does not start to improve within a few days.
Takeaway
Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can damage the skin and may cause skin cancer, including dangerous melanoma. If you need to go out in the sun, wear long, baggy skirts or trousers to hide blisters until they disappear. You should always be aware of the risk of sunburn if you are outdoors under strong sun and be careful that your skin does not get hot.
DISCLAIMER Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice.
