Severity of Sunburn

• Most sunburn is a first-degree burn that turns the skin pink or red.
• Long sun exposure can cause blistering and a second-degree burn.
• Rarely, severe sunburn can cause a third-degree burn or scarring.

Causes of Sunburn

• Direct sun exposure. Warning: clouds don't help. 70% of UV light still gets through on cloudy days.
• Reflected sun rays. From snow 80% is reflected, from sand 20%, from water only 5%.
• Tanning lamp or sun lamp.
• Tanning bed is a common cause.

Ibuprofen to Reduce Pain and Other Symptoms

• Sunburn is an inflammatory reaction of the skin.
• Ibuprofen is a drug that can block this reaction. It can reduce the redness and swelling. But, it needs to be started early.
• Sunburns are sneaky. Many people are surprised when they get sunburned. Reason: there are no warning signs while the burn is occurring.
• Redness (sunburn) is often not seen until 4 hours after being in the sun. The pain and redness keep getting worse. They don't peak for 24 to 36 hours.
• Lesson: if you think you got too much sun, start ibuprofen. Don't wait for redness.
• Take it 3 times per day for 2 days.

When to Call for Sunburn

Care Advice

Treating Mild Sunburn

What You Should Know about Sunburns:

• Most sunburns do not blister.
• Most blisters can be treated without seeing a doctor.
• Here is some care advice that should help.

Get Out of the Sun:

• Get out of the sun as soon as you can. Keep the burned area covered with loose fitting clothing to protect from direct sun until healed.

Cool Baths for Pain:

• Use cool wet washcloths on the burned area. Do this several times a day to reduce pain and burning.
• For larger sunburns, take cool baths for 10 minutes. Caution: avoid any chill. You can add 2 ounces (60 grams) baking soda per tub.
• Do not use soap on the sunburn.

Pain Medicine:

• To help with the pain, take an ibuprofen product (such as Advil). Ibuprofen works well for this type of pain.
• Use as needed, but do not take more than the maximum recommended dosage as stated on the package.
• If you are not sure what to take, ask a pharmacist.

Steroid Cream for Pain:

• Use 1% hydrocortisone cream (such as Cortaid) as soon as possible. No prescription is needed.
• Put it on 3 times per day.
• If used early and continued for 2 days, it may reduce swelling and pain.
• Use a moisturizing cream or aloe vera cream until you can get a steroid cream.
• Use creams only. Avoid putting ointments on red skin. Reason: they can block the sweat glands.
• Burned skin can be very painful. Covering it with a cream can give great relief.

Drink More Fluids:

• Drink plenty of fluids
• This helps to replace the fluids lost into the sunburn.
• This will also help to prevent dehydration and dizziness.

Blisters - Don't Open:

• Caution: leave closed blisters alone. Reason: to prevent infection.
• For broken blisters, trim off the dead skin. Use a fine scissors cleaned with rubbing alcohol.
• Do not use petroleum jelly or ice packs on sunburn.
• Do not scratch or try to remove peeling skin as the blisters heal.

Antibiotic Ointment for Open Blisters:

• For any large open blisters, use an antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin). No prescription is needed.
• Remove it with warm water. Then, re-apply it 2 times a day for 3 days.

What to Expect:

• Pain stops after 2 or 3 days.
• Peeling occurs days 5-7.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Pain becomes severe
• Sunburn looks infected
• You think you need to be seen
• Your symptoms get worse

Preventing Sunburn

Sunscreens:

• Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Fair-skinned people need a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 (or higher).
• Put sunscreen on 30 minutes before exposure to the sun. This gives it time to get down into the skin. Give special attention to the areas most likely to become sunburned. Examples are the nose, ears, cheeks, and shoulders.
• Put sunscreen back on every 3 to 4 hours. Re-apply often while swimming or if sweating a lot. A "waterproof" sunscreen stays on for about 30 minutes in water.
• Most people use too little sunscreen. The average adult requires 1 ounce (30 mL) of sunscreen at a time.
• Remember, getting sunburned can increase your risk of getting skin cancer. The best way to prevent skin cancer is to prevent sunburns.

Protect Lips, Nose and Eyes:

• To prevent sunburned lips, apply a lip coating that contains sunscreen.
• If the nose or some other area has been burned often, protect it completely. Use zinc oxide or titanium oxide ointment.
• Protect your eyes from the sun's rays and cataracts with good sunglasses.

High-Risk Time of Day:

• Avoid exposure to the sun during the hours of 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This is when the sun's rays are most intense.
• Caution: when it is overcast, more than 70% of the sun's rays still get through the clouds.

Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.




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