{"id":4525,"date":"2019-06-27T11:10:49","date_gmt":"2019-06-27T15:10:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=4525"},"modified":"2022-11-09T16:06:32","modified_gmt":"2022-11-09T21:06:32","slug":"doctor-treat-bad-sunburn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/doctor-treat-bad-sunburn\/","title":{"rendered":"What to do for a bad sunburn"},"content":{"rendered":"

It is common knowledge that sunburns damage skin and increase the risk of skin cancer, but did you know that <\/span>your risk for melanoma doubles<\/span><\/a> if you\u2019ve had five or more sunburns in your lifetime?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While that information alone is enough to keep many people out of the sun\u2019s harmful rays, plenty continue to leave their skin unprotected (or even just <\/span>under <\/span><\/i>protected). According to a <\/span>recent study<\/span><\/a>, about one third of adults in the United States experience at least one sunburn each year. That means that most of us have experienced at least one really bad sunburn in our lives. And if you have, you know how painful it can be. Keep reading to learn what to do for a bad sunburn.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is a sunburn?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Sunburn<\/span><\/a> is when ultraviolet (UV) rays damage the skin\u2019s outer layers and cause inflammation and redness. Your skin contains a certain degree of melanin, a pigment that helps to protect it from UV light. Melanin works by making areas of skin that are exposed to the sun darker. How much melanin you have depends on your genetics. People with less melanin are more prone to sunburn.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sunburn is a self-limited condition, usually resolving in three to seven days. Blisters usually resolve within 10 days. Sunburns occur to those with a genetic susceptibility to skin cancer. Sunburns are associated with an increased risk of melanoma at all ages.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSun can damage the skin so severely,\u201d says Dr. Dathann Hamann, a board-certified dermatologist and medical director at the <\/span>Contact Dermatitis Institute<\/span><\/a> in Phoenix, Arizona. \u201cIn addition to having redness and blisters and pain, you can actually have the death of the top layer of skin and the significant inflammation from this can actually affect the whole body. You can get a fever, chills, and almost flu-like symptoms from a severe sunburn.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

How to prevent a sunburn<\/b><\/h2>\n

The obvious solution is prevention, says Dr. Hamann. This, he says, means staying away from the sun during peak danger hours (between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.), staying in the shade to avoid direct sunlight, covering up with a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and protective clothing\u2014and using sunscreen, repeatedly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to note that even if your skin normally tans rather than burning, UV radiation still damages the skin at a cellular level. And this can result in premature aging of the skin, wrinkles, and long-lasting damage. That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin any time you\u2019ll be outside and follow the same steps above.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Shedding light on medications that increase sun sensitivity<\/b><\/a>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

What to do for a bad sunburn<\/b><\/h2>\n

But what if it is too late? What if you accidentally fall asleep on the beach and wake up with a second degree burn\u2014in pain, blistery, and looking like a lobster? Consider topical corticosteroids or some other cream, to relieve the discomfort and help your skin heal. These are the sunburn treatment options that work.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hydrocortisone cream<\/b><\/h3>\n

Should you use hydrocortisone for sunburn? If your sunburn is <\/span>mild to moderate<\/span><\/a>, applying an over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream to the affected areas three times a day for three days can help soothe your skin by reducing swelling and pain. For added relief, put the cream in the refrigerator so it\u2019s nice and cool prior to application.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hydrocortisone is also effective if your sunburn causes <\/span>severe itching referred to as \u201chell\u2019s itch.\u201d<\/span><\/a> Hell\u2019s itch is a deep, painful and throbbing itch that usually occurs 1\u20133 days after a sunburn, and is thought to be caused by damage to the nerve endings in your skin resulting in an allergic reaction.<\/span><\/p>\n

But hydrocortisone cream for sunburn should never be used on blistered skin or skin that has\u00a0 an open sore. And if you or your child are experiencing serious side effects such as severe blistering, fever or chills, dizziness or confusion, or signs of infections such as red streaks on the skin or pus that\u2019s oozing out of the burned area, seek medical attention immediately.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Aloe vera<\/b><\/h3>\n

When it comes to sunburn relief, aloe vera is a good tool to have in your arsenal\u2013the plant is even safe enough to use on the face and lips. According to The National Skin Cancer Foundation, aloe is a safe way to soothe mild sunburn. What\u2019s more, it has many healing properties. <\/span>Research<\/span><\/a> indicates that the gel from the aloe vera plant has both antibacterial and antimicrobial effects. And because it is abundant in antioxidants\u2014containing vitamin E, carotenoids, vitamin C, flavonoids, and <\/span>tannins<\/span><\/a>\u2014it is a powerful anti-inflammatory that can enhance the healing process. While both hydrocortisone cream and aloe vera gel have soothing effects, the healing properties of aloe make it a <\/span>superior treatment<\/span><\/a> for sunburn.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pain medication<\/b><\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re experiencing pain from your sunburn, try an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like <\/span>ibuprofen<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>naproxen<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>aspirin<\/span><\/a>. Starting these meds at the first indication of a sunburn and continuing to take them until your pain resolves is the best way to combat inflammation and discomfort. If your sunburn is severe enough to warrant a trip to the doctor, you may be prescribed <\/span>prednisone<\/span><\/a> to decrease inflammation; if an infection is present, antibiotics may be necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n

Soothing creams<\/b><\/h3>\n

As long as your sunburn hasn\u2019t blistered, you can use a <\/span>moisturizing cream<\/span><\/a> to help soothe your discomfort. For best results, apply a gentle cream while your skin is slightly damp. But it\u2019s important to use the right type of lotion\u2013don\u2019t use<\/span> oil-based creams or ointments like petroleum jelly (Vaseline). That\u2019s because these products can block your pores, potentially worsening your sunburn by trapping heat in the area and increasing your infection risk. OTC creams containing the ingredients vitamins C and E\u00a0 are a good option, as they may help limit damage to skin cells caused by free radicals.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cold compress<\/b><\/h3>\n

If you get burned from sun exposure and you\u2019re near cool water such as a pool or lake, a quick dip will help to cool your skin, but get out of the sun as soon as you\u2019re done. If you’re already home, soothe your skin with a cool bath or a cool shower. After that, applying cool compresses made with ice water to your skin is a good way to achieve fast sunburn relief from symptoms of sunburn\u2013just be sure not to place ice directly on your skin<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hydration<\/b><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s important to drink extra plenty of liquids, such as water and electrolyte-containing beverages, when you have a sunburn. That\u2019s because the skin tends to draw extra fluid from the body in order to heal, increasing your risk of dehydration. Drink plenty of water and sports drinks to stay hydrated while your body repairs the damage from those harmful UV rays.<\/span><\/p>\n

When to see a doctor<\/b><\/h2>\n

The best way to find out if your sunburn requires something more than the standard protocol of a cold compress, <\/span>ibuprofen<\/span><\/a>, hydrocortisone, aloe vera, fluids, or a soothing cream? Talk to your doctor! A primary care physician or dermatologist can advise you on the best options to promote recovery.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Eshragi emphasizes the importance of seeking medical attention if a severe sunburn is accompanied by fever, chills, lethargy, and dehydration. Other signs to watch out for include headache, nausea and vomiting, confusion, fainting, or skin infection.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf someone is having significant systemic symptoms \u2026 things like that need to be managed by more than one doctor in a hospital setting,\u201d he says. If a sunburn is so severe that prescription pain medication is recommended, the patient would probably be hospitalized. But even then, a sunburn is usually treated in other ways first, like with proper wound care, pain medication (NSAIDS or prescription meds, depending on pain level), and the same types of soothing creams used for less severe burns.<\/span><\/p>\n

It goes without saying, but the best thing you can do is to <\/span>take preventive steps<\/span><\/a> anytime you\u2019re in the sun so that it never reaches that critical stage.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It is common knowledge that sunburns damage skin and increase the risk of skin cancer, but did you know that your risk for melanoma doubles if you\u2019ve had five or more sunburns in your lifetime?\u00a0 While that information alone is enough to keep many people out of the sun\u2019s harmful rays, plenty continue to leave […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":55208,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8029],"tags":[15105],"coauthors":[8369],"class_list":["post-4525","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-education","tag-skincare","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat to do for a bad sunburn<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you have a severe sunburn, topical cortisone cream, pain medication, cold compresses, and soothing creams can provide sunburn relief.\" \/>\n<meta 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