WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
Whether it's from the sun itself or just a sunlamp, a
sunburn can be painful and even debilitating. The lighter or
fairer your skin, the more likely it is to burn; though even
people with darker skin are vulnerable. Clouds offer little
protection. You can get a bad sunburn on a cloudy day. Even
sunlight reflected from snow, water, sand, or bright clothing
can give you a burn. Sunburns usually take from 3 days
to 3 weeks to heal, depending on their severity. Repeated
sunburn can eventually cause wrinkles, brown spots on the skin,
and skin cancer.
Signs/Symptoms
A typical sunburn includes redness, swelling, pain,
blisters and peeling on the burned area. A severe sunburn may
lead to fever, headache, upset stomach, vomiting, and
dizziness.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
-
To ease the pain, take cool baths (showers usually
are too painful) or put cool wet towels on the skin 3 to 4
times a day. You may add 2 or 3 tablespoons of baking soda
to your bath water. An oatmeal bath may also help relieve
the pain.
-
You may use over-the counter medicines such as
aspirin or ibuprofen to relieve the pain, swelling, or
fever caused by the burn. For severe sunburn, one-half
percent hydrocortisone cream or spray may be necessary.
Later, it also will help reduce peeling and itching. Apply
3 times a day for pain or 1 or 2 times a day for
itching.
-
Don't put first aid creams or sprays, ointments, or
butter on the burn. You may gently rub in cold cream or
baby lotion.
-
If the skin is badly burned, apply petroleum jelly to
the burn so that nothing will stick to the blisters. Do not
break the blisters. If they break anyway, wash the area 2
times a day with soap and water, then cover it with sterile
gauze to prevent infection.
-
Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water (soda-can
sized) a day. Sunburn increases your chances of becoming
dehydrated.
-
Peeling will begin in about a week. Put a
moisturizing cream or baby lotion on the burn 1 or 2 times
a day.
-
To keep from getting sunburned:
-
Try to stay out of the sun between noon and 3
p.m.
-
Stay in the sun for only short periods of time
until you build up a tan. Start with 15 or 20 minutes a
day and increase your exposure by 5 minutes a
day.
-
If it is not too hot and you burn easily, wear
shirts with long sleeves, pants, a hat, and shoes; or if
you are going to be outside for a long time, bring this
type of clothing with you. Wear sunglasses with
ultraviolet (UV) protection. Try not to wear
bright-colored clothing on sunny days; it reflects light
onto your face.
-
30 to 60 minutes before going outside, apply
sunscreen with a sun-protection factor (SPF) of 15 or
more. Reapply it every 3 to 4 hours and after swimming or
sweating. Many suntan lotions and oils don't protect
against sunburn.
-
Don't use tanning machines. Over time, they may
increase your risk of skin cancer. If you do use them,
cover your eyes. Closing your eyes or wearing regular
sunglasses or cotton eye patches will not keep the
sunlamps from injuring your eyes.
-
Some medicines can make your skin more sensitive to
sunlight. Ask your doctor about the effects of any
medications you are taking
regularly.
-
If your children have short hair, put sunscreen on
the tips of their ears and the back of their necks. And
don't forget the tip of the nose; it can get sunburned
easily.
Call Your Doctor If...
-
You develop a high temperature.
-
Your pain lasts more than 48
hours.
-
You start vomiting or have
diarrhea.
Seek Care Immediately If...
-
You have eye pain or light bothers your
eyes.
-
You feel confused or dizzy.
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