Your forgot to reapply after that first dip in the ocean. Three hours later you head inside and realize the heat is coming in with you, in the form of a sunburn! The horror! What now?
Pain Control:
The first word? Ouch! Your skin is swollen, warm and uncomfortable. Ice packs, cool aloe gel, aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil) can help reduce some of the inflammation that causes the pain of a sunburn. A cool shower or bath can also be soothing.
Rehydrate:
Never underestimate the healing power of hydration, both inside and out. Drink plenty of water, as the burn physically pulls fluids out of your body, making your water requirements higher. Apply gentle moisturizers to the area as tolerated twice a day, to help rebuild the surface of your
skin.
Be Gentle:
Wear loose, breathable clothing that won’t irritate the skin as it heals. Never pull or scrub the peeling skin you might see as you heal. Allowing it to come off naturally will minimize the time of healing. Keep that skin protected from the sun as healing occurs, to minimize any risk of more long term pigment changes to to area.
Plan Ahead:
It can happen to anyone, but now that it happened to you, figure out ways to always be prepared for the sun. Bring sun protective shirts or hats with you in your car, sunscreen in your bag or purse, bring an umbrella for beach days. It doesn’t matter how much fun you are having, a sunburn can definitely ruin the party.
