One thing that many people like to do in summer is enjoy the sunshine. While this is great, going out into the sunshine without any type of skin protection is bad news. Here is what you need to know about sunburns.
What is a sunburn? A sunburn is an inflammation of the skin that occurs when it is exposed to intense, prolonged UV rays, emitted by the sun.
Who is most susceptible to a sunburn? While everyone is at risk for sunburn, there are some that are more prone than others. This includes people who have fair or light skin, those with red or blond hair and those who have freckles.
What are the signs and symptoms of a sunburn? Signs and symptoms of sunburn will occur almost immediately after sun exposure. These include hot, red and tender skin, painful skin when rubbed or touched and dehydration (due to the fact that the heat of the sun causes fluid loss). A few days after exposure to the sun, you may notice blistering, itching and/or peeling of the skin.
What are the signs and symptoms of sun poisoning? Sun poisoning is a severe sunburn. In addition to the above signs and symptoms, you may also experience chills, dizziness, fever, nausea, rapid breathing, rapid pulse, severe skin blisters and shock. Sun poisoning requires immediate medical attention.
Can a sunburn cause permanent skin damage? Absolutely! Being exposed to the sun in your early years may increase the risk of skin cancer later in life. Also, frequent exposure to the sun may cause your skin to dry out, freckle, scar and/or wrinkle.
What are some treatments for a sunburn? Moisturizing creams, like Burt’s Bees Sheer Body Lotion with Cucumber & Aloe and Bliss Grapefruit & Aloe Body Butter Maximum Moisture Cream, can help cool and soothe a sunburn. Topical anesthetics, such as Solarcaine Cool Aloe Burn Relief Gel and Gold Bond Medicated Rapid Relief Anti-Itch Cream, can help with sunburn symptoms like pain and itching.
What are some home remedies for a sunburn? There are some things you can do at home to help with sunburn relief.
For instant relief, apply an ice pack to sunburned skin. Also, fill a bathtub with cool water, 2 cups of apple cider vinegar and soak in it for 15-20 minutes. The apple cider vinegar will help to balance the skin’s pH levels. Another idea is to soak a clean, dry washcloth with cool milk and apply to affected area. The milk will help soothe the skin by creating a protein layer.
Great post and I learned about sunburns and the best way to treat them. I think sunscreen is worth all the trouble to prevent the burn.
Great tips! I have only been seriously sunburnt a few times in my life and each time was absolutely awful!! Sunscreen and protective clothing and swimwear is now my friend!
Sunburn is my greatest foe during the summer! I think it’s nice that you shared these tips on how to treat it right away.
Such great tips! I always managed to get nasty sun burns even though the rest of my family just tans nicely!
Living in the south, close to the gulf coast, I’ve had my fair share of sunburns throughout my life. They are awful. Honestly, there isn’t much that will really give relief. Aloe, sure, for a short time. I did the apple cider vinegar the last time I was really burnt. It didn’t really help either. The best thing is to prevent it! A great name brand sunscreen, at least an spf 30, and reapply! People honestly don’t reapply enough! I could honestly write a whole post on sunburn prevention. haha.
Oh No, I hate being burned by the sun. I would always try to prevent it rather than cure it, it would be so painful when it is already there.
I am quite fair skinned and live in Florida so sub burn is something I know all too well! I do my best to prevent it but sometimes it happens. I have found that apple cider vinegar helps take the sting out, and fresh Aloe is always a must lol
Aloe Vera definitely helps with relief when it comes to sunburn. I don’t think I’ve seen sun poisoning before, that’s crazy scary! These are great tips!
I’ve never had sunburn, my skin just turns really really brown lol. My husband on the other hand is stubborn and won’t put any sunscreen on and so he’s always turning red, burning, and peeling lol. Definitely some great tips here for him!
I need to send this to my husband, like, every day. He’s so dumb about sunscreen. He’s Irish and burns immediately, but will he ever put any on? Nope. Sigh.
I have the most sensitive of skin so I try to avoid getting too much sun, especially since I can burn easily. Aloe and ACV have been a longstanding staple in my home for whenever I miss a spot with sunscreen or get too much sun.
Sunburn is seriously no joke! We always try to put something cool on it as soon as we notice it.
Aloe is our go to when it comes to getting burnt. It cools on contact and makes it feel so much better.
Our dermatologist has my daughter ice her skin after a laser treatment to reduce any potential for blistering. Makes sense that it would work on a sunburn too.
I always make sure we put on sunscreen everytime we would go out. Trips to the beach would need stronger skin protection, like higher SPF. Fresh Aloe gel is very soothing for sunburned skin. That ‘s why I have a lot of them plants in my backyard.
Thank you for spreading awareness! As someone with fair skin, I am very susceptible to sunburns and this information is so important!
These tips are so helpful. I am really good with the sunscreen, but sometimes things do happen and the day is a lot hotter than you think, mostly those days when it is cloudy and you don’t think about it!
These are some great tips! As a fair skinned lady with freckles, I have to be very careful in the sun. I cover myself in suncreeen but always manage to miss a random part of my body that seems to catch the sun.
Wow! We didn’t know about the apple cider vinegar soak! We’re both so prone to sunburn that we constantly have aloe stocked in our fridge. Such a good tip to keep in mind!
Carrie & Shannon | YouMeDC.com
These are wonderful tips! I get sunburns easily, so these tips definitely come in handy. Thanks for sharing!
I have olive skin and never get sunburned, although I always try to wear sunscreen because I know how important it is to have!
Oh my gosh – I totally cringed at the sunburn picture because I know how painful they can be. These are definitely some great first aid tips when it comes to sunburns.
My girlfriend has beautiful freckles that come out with the sun. She does burn