How to Heal Burns Due to Sunburn

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 10:50

Sunburns are quite common. In the US, about 42% of adults report at least one case of sunburn each year. Sunburns generally occur after several hours of exposure to excessive ultraviolet radiation, either from sunlight, or other sources (sun lamps or skin tanners). Sunburns are characterized by skin that is red and inflamed, and feels warm to the touch. It takes a few days for these burns to heal, and each case of sunburn you experience puts you at increased risk for a variety of skin problems, such as wrinkles, dark spots, rashes, and skin cancer (melanoma). There are many natural ways to treat and relieve sunburn at home, although medical attention may also be needed if the damage to your skin is severe.

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Part 1 of 2: Healing Sunburns at Home

Step 1. Soak in cold water

Your skin may start to turn pink or inflamed while you're at the beach or park, but it will only get worse by the time you get home a few hours later. If so, as soon as you feel and see your skin is sunburned, apply a cold compress, or take a cold shower or bath if the area of the inflamed skin is large enough. The cold temperature of the water will help fight inflammation and soothe some of the pain. Your skin will also absorb water, which is essential for sunburned skin to combat dehydration.

Soak for 15-20 minutes. Make sure the water you're using is cool enough but not too cold-putting ice in a bath may make you feel comfortable, but it can shock your body.
Do not use soap or scrubs on the skin immediately after a sunburn has formed, as this can irritate and/or dry out the skin.

Step 2. Apply aloe vera

Aloe vera gel is probably the most widely used herbal remedy for sunburns, and other causes of skin inflammation. Aloe vera is very efficacious not only to soothe burns and reduce pain, but also to significantly speed up the healing process. In a scientific review, researchers found that people with sunburns and other skin injuries who were treated with aloe vera recovered on average 9 days faster than those who were not given aloe vera. Applying aloe vera several times a day during the first few days of a burn can provide significant benefits to your skin while reducing some of the pain.

If you have an aloe vera plant at home, break one of the leaves and apply the thick gel/juice directly to the sunburnt skin.
Alternatively, buy a bottle of pure aloe vera gel from the pharmacy. For best effect, place this gel in the refrigerator and apply after it cools down.
There is evidence that contradicts the notion that aloe vera can speed up the wound healing process. At least in one study it is known that aloe vera can actually slow down the recovery process.

Step 3. Try using oatmeal

Oatmeal is another natural remedy to relieve sunburn. Based on research results, oat extract is known to have anti-inflammatory properties that are useful for soothing sunburned skin. To use it, make diluted oatmeal, refrigerate it for 1 or 2 hours in the refrigerator, then apply it directly to the burned skin and allow it to dry. Rinse gently with cold water, as oatmeal is also a gentle exfoliant, so don't let your skin irritation worsen.

Alternatively, buy finely ground oatmeal (sold as colloidal oatmeal in pharmacies) and mix a large amount with cold water in the bath before soaking.
You can make your own finely ground oatmeal by mashing a cup of ready-to-cook oatmeal or gently cooking it in a blender, food processor, or coffee grinder until it forms a fine, smooth powder.
For burns in smaller areas, place a cup of dry oatmeal in a square bandage, and soak in cold water for a few minutes. Next, apply this homemade compress to the burn for 20 minutes every 2 hours.

Step 4. Keep the burned skin moist

Sunburned skin is less moist than normal skin, so another way to soothe and stimulate its recovery is to keep it moisturized. After a cold shower or bath, apply a generous amount of moisturizing cream or lotion to the surface of the burned skin. This moisturizing layer will prevent the evaporation of water from the skin. Apply moisturizer several times throughout the day to fade the appearance of cracked and peeling skin. Consider using a natural moisturizer containing vitamins C and E, MSM, aloe vera, cucumber extract and/or calendula, all of which can soothe and repair damaged skin.

If the burn is very painful, consider applying hydrocortisone cream. Low-dose hydrocortisone cream (less than 1%) is useful for quick relief of pain and swelling.
Don't use creams that contain benzocaine or lidocaine-both of which can cause allergies in some people and make sunburns worse.
Furthermore, don't use butter, petroleum jelly (Vaseline), or other oil-based products on sunburned skin, as these can inhibit heat release and sweating.
Sunburns tend to get worse between 6-48 hours after sun exposure.

Step 5. Meet the body's fluid needs

Another way to keep the burn moist is to drink plenty of fluids. Drink more water, natural fruit juices, and/or caffeine-free sports drinks during the healing process of sunburns (at least in the first few days), to keep your body and skin hydrated so they can begin to heal on their own. Start by drinking at least 8 glasses (240 ml) of water, if possible, pure water every day. Remember that caffeine is a diuretic and will stimulate urination, so avoid coffee, black tea, soda pop, and energy drinks in the early stages of a burn.

Watch for symptoms of dehydration such as reduced frequency of urination, dark urine, headaches, dizziness, and/or drowsiness. Because sunburn causes fluids to be drawn to the surface of the skin and away from other parts of the body.
Children are especially prone to dehydration (their skin surface is wider than their body weight), so see a doctor immediately if your child seems weak or behaves oddly after the skin burns.

Step 6. Consider taking over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Inflammation and swelling are serious problems in moderate to severe sun burns. So, taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as soon as skin damage appears is the right choice. NSAIDs can reduce the swelling and redness of the skin that are characteristic of sunburns, and may prevent long-term skin damage. Commonly used NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve) and aspirin. However, these drugs tend to be harsh on the stomach, so take them with food and limit their use to no more than 2 weeks. Paracetamol (Panadol) and other analgesics can also help relieve burn pain, but have no effect on inflammation and swelling.

Look for creams, lotions, or gels that contain NSAIDs or pain relievers-these can deliver the medication more quickly directly to the burned skin.
Remember that aspirin and ibuprofen are not suitable for children, so consult your doctor first before using any medication or giving it to your children.

Step 7. Protect yourself from further sun problems

Prevention is the main protection from sunburn. There are many ways you can protect yourself from this problem, including: wearing a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more, reapplying sunscreen every 2 hours, wearing tight-fitting clothing that protects the skin, such as long-sleeved shirts, hats, etc., sunglasses, as well as avoiding exposure to the hot sun (usually between 10 am - 4 pm) for a long time.

Sunburns in fair-skinned people can develop in less than 15 minutes after sun exposure. Meanwhile, dark-skinned people can withstand exposure of the same intensity for hours

Part 2 of 2: Knowing It's Time to Visit the Doctor

Step 1. Know when you need to see a doctor

Most cases of sunburn are first-degree burns, which can be healed at home using the suggestions above and by staying out of the sun for a while. However, extreme sun exposure can also cause 2nd and 3rd degree burns, which require medical attention and care. Second-degree burns are characterized by blistering and moist, red-looking skin, and damage to the entire epidermis and upper dermis. Third-degree burns are characterized by skin that appears peeling and dry, dark red or black in color, and damage to all layers of the epidermis and most of the dermis. The sense of touch on the skin is also usually lost in third-degree burns.

Second-degree sun burns heal in 10-21 days, usually without scarring. While third-degree burns often require skin transplant surgery and always leave scars.
Other reasons to see a doctor for a sunburn include symptoms of dehydration (see previous section), or heat exhaustion (excessive sweating, fainting, weakness, fatigue, weak but fast heart rate, low blood pressure, and headache).
As a general guide for children, seek medical attention if a sunburn causes 20% of the skin to blister or more (eg the child's entire back).

Step 2. Give proper care to the blistered skin

The skin commonly blisters in moderate to severe sun burns. Blisters are actually the body's natural defense reaction, and if there are blisters on the skin from a sunburn, don't squeeze or break them. The bubbles on the blistered skin contain natural body fluids (serum) and form a protective layer on the burned skin. Popping bubbles on the blistered skin also increases the risk of infection. Apply a bandage to protect a small area of the blistered skin on a part of your body that you can reach (such as your arm). However, if the blisters are large and located on your back or other hard-to-reach areas, ask your doctor for help. Your doctor will likely apply an antibiotic cream and apply a sterile bandage to the area to reduce the risk of infection, reduce scar formation, and stimulate healing.

Change the bandage 1-2 times a day (if you can reach it), and remove it carefully to prevent the burn from getting worse. Also, change the bandage immediately if it gets wet or soiled.
When the skin bubble bursts, apply antibiotic ointment to the area, then apply another clean bandage loosely.
One or more cases of sunburn as a child or adult increases the risk of melanoma (a type of skin cancer) by up to 2 times later in life.

Step 3. Consider using silver sulfadiazine cream

If your sunburn is very severe and causes the skin to blister and peel, your doctor may recommend and prescribe silver sulfadiazine (Thermazene 1%) cream. Silver sulfadiazine is a strong antibiotic that can kill bacteria and other infectious agents on burned skin. This cream is usually used once or twice a day, but do not apply on the face, because it can turn the skin color to gray. Wear gloves when applying the cream, and apply it fairly thickly on the skin, just making sure to remove any dead skin cells and flaking skin first. Always apply a sterile bandage to protect the silver sulfadizin cream layer.

Colloidal silver solutions, which you can buy at most health stores or make at home, are also strong antibiotics and are much cheaper and safer than silver sulfadiazine. Pour a small amount of colloidal silver solution into a sterile spray bottle, and spray it onto the burned skin, wait for it to dry, then cover it with a bandage.
If your doctor suspects a possible widespread infection from a severe burn, for your safety, he or she may prescribe oral antibiotics for short-term use.

Tips

Avoid unnecessary sun exposure. Stay out of the sun in the middle of the day, and wear a protective hat, sunglasses, and lip balm to protect your skin from UV rays while outside.
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more when spending time in the sun.
Sit under an umbrella while enjoying the view, even on a cloudy day.
Exfoliate your skin after the burn has healed. Use an over-the-counter alpha hydroxy acid cleanser and a gentle exfoliating cotton swab. Exfoliating the skin can stimulate the growth of new skin cells while removing dead and damaged skin cells from burns.