
The causes and symptoms of a sunburn from a tanning bed are the same as that caused by direct exposure to the sun. In this article we have mainly highlighted on the various forms of treatment for this condition.
Burns on the surface of the skin caused by an overdose of ultraviolet radiation received during tanning are also known as sunburn tanning. Bed-induced burns may result in appearance of wrinkles, brown spots, and skin cancer too. They cause inflammation of the skin, and liquid-filled blisters are formed all over the body. Usually, these blisters appear within an hour or so. Then, the skin turns red and starts itching. In serious cases, one may get symptoms, like chills and fever, headaches, nausea, etc. It is not only a painful condition, but can cause extensive damage to the skin in the long run. To know about the treatment methods for a sunburn from a tanning bed, read the paragraphs below.
Treatment Methods
The main aim of the treatment is to get rid of the pain and inflammation and prevent any kind of infections. The two main steps in this regard are as follows:
Care
When you have sunburn blisters, do not pop them with fingers. Let them break naturally. Do not try to remove the peeling skin of the burn. When the dead skin has detached, keep the area clean to protect the skin from infections. However, do not use soap, as it will aggravate itching. Apply a generous amount of antiseptic cream on them to keep the infections in check. Wash your hands thoroughly before touching the blisters for application of any medicine on them.
Medication
If you are experiencing a lot of pain due to the burns, you can take over-the-counter pain relieving medicines. Topical application of hydrocortisone cream can ease off the discomfort to a great extent. Once the pain subsides and is peeling off, calamine lotion should be used. It will help to get rid of those dead skin cells that have not fallen off. During this phase, the skin tends to become extremely itchy, and application of calamine lotion brings down the itching sensation.
Home Remedies
Here are some effective home-based treatments for treating such burns:
Cold Bath
The first thing that you want to do is to reduce the soreness. The best way to achieve that is by immersing your body in a tub of cold water. It brings down the skin inflammation and has a soothing effect on the burning sensation. For faster healing, you can add some oatmeal flakes or vinegar to the bath water. This will prevent drying of the skin, and thus, there will be less peeling.
Cold Compressions
Mix equal quantities of cold milk and cold water. Soak a cotton ball into the mixture, squeeze out the excess liquid, and apply it over the affected areas for 15-20 minutes. Do it several times in a day. You should replace the solution and the cotton pads after every few hours.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has excellent natural healing properties. Fresh juice of aloe vera, when applied on the damaged part will provide a protective covering to the skin surface that will hold the moisture inside. Such kind of hydrating effect facilitates faster recovery. You can also use aloe vera gel that is available in the local pharmacy.
You should drink lots of fluid to prevent dehydration of the body. If you notice symptoms, like fever, nausea, and headache, then you must consult your doctor. For the time being, stay away from tanning beds completely. Let the sunburn heal properly and get rid of the peeling skin first, then you should go for tanning again. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation on the healing burn can aggravate the pain further.
Disclaimer: This BeautiSecrets article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.