Sunburn can sneak up on anyone, but luckily there are plenty of simple ways to soothe the pain and help your skin heal faster.
Here are some practical, effective tips you can use next time you’ve had a little too much sun.
Take a pain reliever
Use an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or acetaminophen as soon as possible after you’ve been sunburned.
This can help reduce both pain and inflammation.
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Cool your skin
Apply a clean cloth soaked in cool tap water to the sunburned area or take a cool bath. You can add a bit of baking soda to the bathwater for extra relief.
Use a moisturizing lotion or gel
Gently apply aloe vera gel or a soothing calamine lotion to your skin. For an extra cooling effect, put the product in the fridge before using it.
Avoid products with alcohol
Stay away from skin care products that contain alcohol, as they can dry out and further irritate your skin.
Drink extra water
Your body loses more fluid when your skin is damaged. Drink plenty of water for at least a day to help prevent dehydration.
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Leave blisters alone
If blisters form, don’t pop them. They protect the underlying skin as it heals. If a blister does break, carefully trim away the dead skin and keep the area clean.
Stay out of the sun while you heal
Stay in the shade or use other sun protection measures until your skin has fully healed to avoid making the burn worse.
Apply hydrocortisone cream
For mild to moderate sunburn, apply a 1 % hydrocortisone cream to the affected area up to three times a day for three days to ease itching and irritation.
Soothe sunburned eyes
If your eyes feel burned, place a clean, cool, damp cloth over them. Don’t wear contact lenses until your symptoms go away, and resist the urge to rub your eyes.
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Watch for warning signs
Seek medical help if you have severe pain, high fever, signs of infection, or burns on your face, hands, genitals, or large areas of your body.
Also watch for dizziness and dehydration.
Artiklen er baseret på informationer fra Mayo Clinic.
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