How to Treat a Sunburn

How To Treat A Sunburn

While prevention is always best when it comes to ultraviolet (UV) exposure, we’ve all been there — we spend a little too much time in the sun and earn a red, hot, painful sunburn in return. If you’re looking for sunburn remedies or planning a sun-filled vacation, here’s how to treat a sunburn. 

Fast Sunburn Relief

The most common types of sunburns are first- and second-degree sunburns. First-degree sunburns damage the outermost layer of skin, typically causing redness, soreness, and sometimes swelling or burning. The skin may also feel warm or tight. Second-degree burns are more severe and damage the skin layer under the epidermis. You may experience pain, deep redness or other skin color changes, swelling and blistering, shiny-looking skin, and white discoloration in the burned area. 

Use these steps to treat both types of sunburn in the immediate aftermath:

1. Take a cool bath or shower: A quick rinse in cool — not ice cold — water can relieve immediate pain, but do not stay in for too long, as this can dry out your skin. You should also avoid harsh soaps and exfoliation. For extra relief, try a skin-soothing oatmeal bath. 
2. Use a light moisturizer: Opt for gentle ingredients like aloe and soy instead of petroleum-based moisturizers that trap heat and worsen the pain. Pure aloe vera gel is an excellent option for relieving symptoms. 
3. Apply a cool compress: Cool compresses can relieve pain and ease discomfort, but do not use ice directly on your skin. Ice can increase the risk of infection and lengthen the healing process. 
4. Reduce inflammation: Anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen and aspirin can relieve pain, especially after a more severe burn. Make sure to follow the package instructions for dosing. You can also use hydrocortisone cream for a few days to soothe your skin. 
5. Hydrate: Your body draws fluid to the sunburnt area, which could lead to dehydration. Drink lots of water to replenish those fluids and keep the affected area moisturized. 
6. Wear loose-fitting clothing: In the immediate days following the sunburn, wear comfortable clothing to avoid friction and pain as you heal. 

Most mild sunburn symptoms last three to five days, while moderate to severe ones can persist for up to two weeks. 

Treating Sunburn Blisters

Here’s how to treat a bad sunburn with blisters:

1. Use cold compresses or take a cool bath or shower. 
2. Take an over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen for pain.
3. Soothe your skin with aloe vera gel. 
4. Keep your skin covered as it heals. 
5. Drink lots of water. 

The most important thing when treating a sunburn with blisters is not to pick at them. Intact blisters help the skin heal, and popping them can slow the healing process or increase the risk of scarring and infection. If a blister pops on its own, use a gentle antibacterial cleanser to wash it, and cover the area with a nonstick bandage. Once the area has cooled down, you can also use petroleum jelly. 

If the blisters cover a large portion of your body or you experience chills, nausea, dizziness, skin swelling or a fever, you should visit your doctor. They’ll advise you on what to do and may prescribe special cream to soothe your skin. If you’re dehydrated, you may also get fluids through an IV. In severe sun poisoning cases, you may receive treatment in a burn or wound center. 

Healing Peeling Skin 

Peeling is a natural part of the healing process where your body tries to get rid of damaged cells. When treating a peeled sunburn, do not pull on the peeling skin. Moisturizing the area helps hydrate the new skin and prevent itchiness. Fragrance-free, hypoallergenic moisturizers the your best option. Again, choose soothing ingredients like aloe vera or soy.

Protect the damaged skin from further UV exposure with loose-fitting, sun-protective clothing made of fabrics with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of at least 50. UPF indicates the amount of UV radiation that can reach your skin — UPF 50 fabrics block 98% of the sun’s rays. 

Preventing Future Sunburns

While these tips can help you treat a sunburn fast, the best tip is to avoid sunburns altogether. Here’s how: 

• Apply sunscreen the right way: The general recommendation for covering your face, neck, arms and legs is about 1 ounce of sunscreen. Chemical and mineral sunscreens are both good options. Mineral sunscreen is often better for sensitive skin but can leave a white cast, especially on deeper skin tones. 
• Reapply at the right time: You should reapply your broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen at least every two hours, especially if you’ve been swimming or sweating. You can still get a tan while wearing sunscreen, so don’t skip out on reapplying! 
• Choose the right sun protection factor (SPF): The SPF number tells you how long sunlight would take to burn your skin. When you wear SPF 15 sunscreen as directed, it would take 15 times longer than if you weren’t wearing sunscreen at all. An SPF of at least 30 is recommended, but no matter how high you go, it’s essential to reapply. 
• Understand your risk factors: People with fair skin, freckles, light eyes, fair hair or a history of skin cancer should be especially careful in the sun. Certain medications, such as retinoids, can also make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, as can some autoimmune diseases and other medical conditions. 
• Wear protective clothing: Light-colored clothing, wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses and UPF-rated fabrics keep your skin safer in the sun. You can wear long sleeves and pants made of linen or other lightweight materials to protect your skin while staying cool. 
• Stay out of the sun during peak hours: Peak sunlight hours are when solar irradiance reaches 1 kilowatt per square meter, typically midday from late morning to midafternoon. During these hours, limit your sun exposure by staying inside, wearing protective clothing or seeking shade. 
• Wear sunscreen all year: Sunburns can happen during the wintertime and on overcast days, too. It is important to take care of your skin, especially your face and neck, year-round. 

Remember — sunburns aren’t limited to pool days and beach vacations. Sunburns can occur even if you’re simply working in your garden, eating lunch outside or walking home from work. 

Get Some Vitamin D in Ocean City, New Jersey

Looking for a fun destination to put your new sun protection tips into practice? Ocean City, New Jersey, is the perfect spot. At America’s Greatest Family Resort®, you can meander down the Boardwalk, go to the beach, play golf, take a bike ride or check out the amusement parks. With a population of less than 12,000, OCNJ is the perfect getaway and a welcome change of pace from busy vacation destinations. 

Get some well-deserved vitamin D and enjoy the sun safely in OCNJ. Download the Ocean City Visitor’s Guide for information about accommodations, activities, events and dining!