Treatment for sunburn usually involves the use of medicines as well as natural substances. In this article, we have addressed both these aspects of intervention.
There is a protective layer of pigment in our skin, which protects it from the harmful effects of the ultraviolet radiations of the sun. However, if one is exposed to the sun for a prolonged period, then melanin, the protective pigment, cannot protect the skin anymore, resulting in sunburns. It has been found that people with a fair complexion are more prone to developing a sunburn as compared to dark-skinned people.
Usually, the symptoms of a sunburn become visible within an hour or a day of sun exposure. The indicants of minor sunburn include inflammation and reddening of the skin, which makes it tender to touch and causes severe irritation. In case the burn is severe, the skin starts peeling and one can observe the formation of blisters. In some cases, it may be accompanied by nausea, skin rash, fever, and chills. Once the skin gets damaged, it requires several days of treatment to get relieved from the discomfort.
Treatment for Sunburn
☛ The first thing to do is to cool the burning sensation and reduce the pain of the burnt skin. For this, a cool bath is a highly effective remedy. Ensure to not use ice-cold water, and avoid the addition of bath salts or oil to the water.
☛ Scrubbing should be strictly avoided, as it can cause further damage to the skin. After the bath, use a soft towel and pat dry the skin. Apply a sunburn cream, which has a cooling effect on the burn.
☛ Creams having ingredients, like vitamin A, C, and E have proven to be highly beneficial for this purpose. Topical steroid creams can be used if the pain persists for long. Oral intake of pain killers can also help in alleviating the pain.
☛ If you suffer from fever, nausea, and extremely painful blisters, consult the doctor immediately. Children suffering from a sunburn should be taken to the doctor immediately as well.
☛ Doctors usually prescribe oral steroid medicines to reduce the symptoms. Usage of special burn creams and dressings is recommended in case the burn is severe.
☛ During the treatment, take rest in a cool room. Drink plenty of water and fruit juice to replenish the water lost, thus, preventing dehydration. Do not venture out in the sun till the burns heal completely.
Some Home Remedies
There are some home-based treatment options that work really well on sunburns. A few have been mentioned below:
☀ Cold Milk Compression
This is an excellent sunburn treatment for the face. Components like fatty acid and lactic acid present in milk help in healing the burn. Take some cold milk in a bowl, and soak a small piece of cloth in it. Thereafter, place this cloth on the sunburned areas. Use full cream milk for this purpose, as it has a higher fatty acid content.
☀ Aloe Vera Juice
Fresh aloe vera juice penetrates well into the layers of the skin and heals the burns. Take a fresh leaf of aloe vera, slit it at the end, and gently rub the pulp all over the affected skin. This has a soothing effect on the pain and keeps the skin hydrated.
☀ Apple Cider Vinegar
Dilute apple cider vinegar in some ice-cold water, dip a cotton pad in it, and apply it on the burns. The cold water provides relief from the burning and itching sensation, while the malic acid present in apple cider vinegar neutralizes the adverse effects of sunburn. It also helps in restoring the pH balance of the skin.
☀ Potatoes
The juice of a potato is highly effective in subsiding the pain caused due to a sunburn. Take 1 or 2 potatoes and wash them thoroughly. Cut them into pieces and liquefy in a blender. Dab the potato juice gently on the burns and allow it to dry. Thereafter, wash it off with cold water.
Frequent sunburns lead to wrinkles and age spots. Therefore, avoid direct exposure to the sun. If this is not possible, then ensure to not venture out much between 10 am to 4 pm, as the UV rays are very strong during this time. While going out in the sun, make sure your body is covered properly, and wear a hat to protect your face from the sun. Application of a sunscreen lotion with a high SPF value is also a must.
Disclaimer: This BeautiSecrets article is for informative purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
