A small quantity of sun exposure is beneficial, particularly because it is a natural source of vitamin D. However, excessive sun exposure might harm your skin. Sunburn is one of the most popular types of sun injury. Sunburn is a skin burn caused by prolonged, unprotected sun exposure. You will likely experience sunburn at some given moment in your life. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, more than one in every three Americans gets sunburn yearly.
Many sunburns are modest in severity, yet they should not be taken lightly. Sunburned skin has damaged skin cells and blood vessels, which can be seen under a powerful microscope. As a result, the skin has been weakened and is more prone to bruising. Sunscreen, sun-protective clothes, wide-brimmed hats, and your favorite sunnies can help lower the risk of sunburn by protecting your skin from the sun. However, you may get sunburned due to a lapse in coverage. Depending on the degree of your sunburn, natural home remedies may be able to relieve your symptoms. What you need to understand about sunburn and how to manage it is outlined here.
Sunburn Triggers
Sunburn is caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, which can come from the sun or artificial tanning beds. There is a common misperception that sunburn may only occur on hot days with clear skies. While sunburn can occur on sunny days, it is also possible to overexpose to the sun on overcast, rainy, snowy, hazy, windy, and cold days. This is because the sun’s rays bounce off surfaces such as snow, water, and sand. Improper sunscreen application may also lead to an increased risk of sunburn. Here are some sunscreen application tips:
- Use sunscreen each two hours.
- Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
- Use a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection.
- Avoid getting into direct sunlight for 15 minutes after using sunscreen.
- Apply roughly 1 ounce of sunscreen to your entire body.
- Recall has typically forgotten or difficult-to-reach places such as your back, ears, and neck.
While everybody can get a sunburn, some people are more prone than others. People with lighter skin tones are more vulnerable to skin damage from extended sun exposure, such as sunburns and an increased risk of skin cancer. This is because darker skin tones have more melanin, a brown pigment that blocks specific UV radiation. Some people are more sensitive to high UV indices and are more likely to burn because lighter skin tones have less of this pigment.
Symptoms of Sunburn
Sunburn symptoms may include the following:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Pain
- Peeling
- Dry, itchy skin
- Blisters
Sunburn Home Treatments
A sunburn might take several days to weeks to fully cure, depending on its intensity. In addition, you may suffer unpleasant side effects like discomfort, peeling, redness, swelling, itching, blisters, and more during this time. Sunburns take time to recover, but natural alternative treatments can help relieve your discomfort.
Take a Refreshing Bath or Shower
To the touch, sunburns might feel warm or hot. This is due to the fact that sunburn is a type of skin inflammation. Cool down the skin by having a cool bath or shower to reduce inflammation. To reduce pain, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends regular chilly baths or showers.
Use a Topical Moisturizer
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends putting a topical moisturizer on your skin after a cold bath or shower. If your skin is moist, this will aid in water trapping. Aloe vera and soy-based moisturizers can be incredibly calming. Some sunburned places may be more severe than others. To treat these regions, you can use an over-the-counter cortisone lotion.
Make Use of a Cool Compress
If soaking in cool water does not help, another home cure for sunburns is to cool the affected region directly with a cool compress. Use a damp paper towel or washcloth and place it on the affected area. Ice is a popular home treatment for the discomfort and inflammation caused by sunburn. Avoid putting ice directly on the skin; wrap ice or an ice pack in a towel. Apply ice to the skin for 15 to 20 minutes three times each day as symptoms improve.
Consume Plenty of Water
Dehydration can be caused by sunburn. Fluids are attracted to the epidermis and separated from the rest of the body when burned. This raises the possibility of dehydration. When recovering from sunburn, drink plenty of fluids to replace electrolytes. Keeping hydrated might also help to alleviate discomfort.
Take Medications
Sunburns can be excruciatingly painful, but pain medications can help. Take pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen as needed to alleviate swelling, irritation, and pain from sunburns.
When to Contact a Healthcare Professional
Most sunburns are minor and will go away in a few days with home therapy. However, sunburns can be significant and necessitate medical attention in some cases. If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor right away:
- Severe pain
- Fever and chills
- Severe blisters
- Headache, disorientation, or fainting
- Nausea or vomiting
- Significant fluid loss (dehydration)
Kim’s Final Thoughts…
Sunburns are prevalent, but they are avoidable. Wear sunscreen every day and reapply as needed to ensure optimum sun protection. However, you may forget to reapply sunscreen and end up with a nasty sunburn. If this occurs, understanding these home treatments and having the necessities on hand will aid in the recovery of your skin.
Natural cures can help relieve some of the symptoms of sunburn, but they are not always the best option. If your sunburn is severe, you may need to contact a doctor for further treatment. Likewise, you should consult a doctor if you experience painful skin blisters or heat stress symptoms.
