Summertime means barbecues, trips to the beach, and sunburns. Unprotected skin can burn in as little as a few minutes. But don’t panic, there are various ways to reduce the sting if you understand how to treat sunburns. In this post, we’ll look at DIY cures and preventative measures to heal your skin and lessen the discomfort.
It’s critical to act quickly after realizing your skin has been burned in order to start the healing process and ease pain. The goal is to lower your skin’s core temperature and avoid further harm. The next actions to take are listed below:
- Apply 10% lidocaine numbing cream: Apply 10% lidocaine numbing cream to the affected area to numb it first. This will ease the discomfort and help numb it.
- Cool the burn: Gently cool the burned area for 10 to 20 minutes under cold running water. Ice shouldn’t be applied directly to the skin since this can result in frostbite.
- Protect the burn: To stop infection, wrap the burn with a clean, sterile, non-stick bandage.
- Elevate if possible: Elevate the affected area just a bit to lessen swelling if the burn is on an extremity, such as the arm or leg.
- Stay hydrated: To promote healing and avoid dehydration, which can hinder recovery, drink plenty of water.
- Avoid tight clothing: To avoid irritation, cover the burn with loose-fitting clothing.
- Over-the-counter pain relief: Consider using over-the-counter painkillers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, adhering to the appropriate dosage, if necessary.
- Seek medical attention: Seek emergency medical assistance if the burn is serious, covers a significant region, or affects the face, hands, feet, or genitalia.
Keep in mind that these are only general recommendations for mild burns. It’s crucial to seek medical advice for the right care and treatment for more severe burns.
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How to handle the signs of sunburn
- Blister: Apply moisturizer or cold compresses. Avoid purposefully breaking any blisters open as this could lead to infection. Clean the affected area with gentle soap and water if a blister does break open. After that, apply an antibiotic ointment and gauze to the affected region.
- Itching: Avoid touching the irritation to avoid delaying healing and perhaps infecting the skin. Use a cream with 1% hydrocortisone or an antihistamine.
- Pain and stinging: To prevent future sun damage to the skin, take aspirin or ibuprofen.
- Hot skin: Take regular, chilly showers if your skin feels hot to the touch, and drink lots of water to stay hydrated.
- Peeling skin: Avoid picking or pulling at the skin that is peeling by treating your skin softly. Apply a moisturizer, such as aloe vera.
Cures at Home for Sunburn
- Cold compresses
- Vinegar
- Essential oils
- Oatmeal
- Coconut oil
- Aloe vera
- Witch hazel
- Cucumbers
- Shaving cream
Sunburn Recovery
Following is what to anticipate when your sunburn heals:
- How long does a sunburn take to heal? Healing takes longer the more severe the burn is. While a severe sunburn with blisters may take weeks to go away, a minor sunburn often heals in a few days.
- What does a sunburn that is healing look like? Healing skin will eventually lose its pink or red hue and revert to normal for light sunburns. Even with a light sunburn, the skin’s outer layer may start to peel. If your sunburn is more severe, you may get blisters that will eventually go away (don’t purposefully pop them!).
Strategies for Avoiding Sunburn
It’s important to know how to handle a sunburn. Knowing how to avoid it is preferable. In addition to being painful, sunburn increases your chance of developing skin cancer and speeds up aging. Here are a few quick tips to keep your skin safe:
- When ultraviolet rays are at their highest, between 10 a.m. Until 4 p.m., avoid the sun.
- Avoid using tanning beds.
- For sun protection, wear hats, long sleeves, pants, and umbrellas.
- Use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 to 30 or higher. Every two hours or after swimming, reapply sunscreen and don’t forget to protect your lips. Even if it’s cloudy, apply sunscreen 30 minutes before heading outside.
Avoid getting sunburned to enjoy your summer. You can avoid being sunburned altogether by covering your skin from the sun’s rays. If you overdo it in the sun or neglect to apply sunscreen to a particular location, the aforementioned advice can also assist you in alleviating your discomfort and starting the healing process.