Introduction
If you believe your sunburn is severe, it's advisable to contact your doctor. They will inquire about the severity of your condition and any other significant health issues. Based on the assessment, your doctor will decide whether to treat you at home, in the office, or refer you to the emergency department.
Certain conditions should prompt a visit to the hospital's emergency department, including:
- Severe pain
- Severe blistering
- Headache
- Confusion
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fainting
- An acute problem with another medical condition
Self-Care at Home
Effective home care begins before getting a sunburn. Planning ahead can help you avoid the need for these tips and techniques.
- Immediate self-care aims to halt further UV radiation damage. This includes:
- Getting out of the sun
- Covering exposed skin
- Avoiding tanning beds
- For relief from discomfort, consider:
- Medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, especially if started early.
- For mild sunburn, cool compresses with equal parts of milk and water may suffice. You can also use cold compresses with Burow solution, available at drugstores.
- Cool (not ice-cold) baths can provide relief. Avoid bath salts, oils, and perfumes. Use soft towels to gently dry yourself.
- Aloe-based lotions can be helpful; many commercial options are available.
- Avoid lotions containing topical anesthetic medications.
- Stay out of the sun while you're sunburned.
Follow-up
Your doctor will either schedule a follow-up visit during your initial evaluation and treatment or provide instructions for returning if specific problems arise. Sunburn can lead to lost workdays, which may have consequences in certain professions like the military. Additionally, sunburn can contribute to premature aging and skin cancers.
Prevention
The best prevention is to avoid excessive sun exposure, though it's not always practical. More realistic strategies include wearing protective clothing such as wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants.
If avoidance isn't possible, various sun-blocking agents are available. Some are designed for the face and lips, while others offer general protection. Pay attention to the sun protection factor (SPF) and the presence of PABA in the product. Avoid PABA in children under 6 months as it may cause skin irritation.
The higher the SPF number, the more protection the sun-blocking agent offers. SPF represents the ratio of the time required to produce a skin reaction on protected and unprotected skin. For instance, a 30 SPF sunscreen should theoretically allow you to be exposed 30 times longer than with no sunscreen, though this may not always hold true in practice.
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