Sunburn can be an uncomfortable and painful condition. You can treat sunburnt skin by:
Soaking a cloth in cold water and placing it on your sunburn can reduce the heat. You can leave the cold cloth on for 10-15 minutes and repeat several times a day. Alternatively, cool baths or showers can also help. The water can dry out your skin though, so pat yourself dry quickly and thoroughly with a towel after your shower and use moisturizer.
Using a moisturizer can soothe sunburnt skin. Applying this as early as possible can minimize the damage done. Avoid petroleum-based products, as these can trap heat within the sunburnt skin.
Simple pain-relief medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help with the discomfort of sunburn.
Sunburn can leave you very dry, so it is important to replace lost fluids to avoid dehydration. It is also important to avoid alcohol as this will cause further dehydration.
It is important to replace fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated from sunburn.
If you have blisters, this means that you have a pretty bad sunburn. The skin of the blisters is protecting the underlying damaged skin, so do not pop them. Popping the blisters will mean that the skin dries out and can get infected. The blisters will gradually reduce in size as your sunburn heals.
While your sunburn is healing, it is important to protect that skin from further sun exposure. This means covering up if you need to go into the sun.
It is important to protect your sunburnt skin from further sun exposure.
If you have any of the following symptoms, you should see a doctor:
Sunburn causes long-term damage to the skin and increases your risk of developing skin cancer in the future. It is best to prevent sunburn by using sunscreen, covering up and staying in the shade.
A sensation of sickness and unease, typically felt in the stomach, often accompanied by the urge to vomit. Nausea is a common symptom with many possible causes.