Sunburns can happen, despite our best efforts sometimes. Even if you cover your body appropriately, apply sunscreen, wear hats, and avoid going out at peak hours of the sun, sometimes a sunburn can seem quite inevitable. Let us look at what you can do if you have suffered from a sunburn:
Use a cool compress to get a soothing sensation
One of the best treatments for sunburn is to use cool compresses or soaks on the affected area. Make sure that you avoid ice since it can put too much pressure and cause pain. Once you get a soothing sensation, you can use a healing ointment like Aquaphor or an aloe vera gel.
Stay hydrated
It is very important to keep your skin cells hydrated after a sunburn. As the water levels of your skin cells increase, you will start to feel more comfortable, and your cells will recover faster. Consume lots and lots of water. You can also go for a hydration drink such as the sunburn drink for instant sunburn relief.
Use over-the-counter pain medication
If required, you can also take over-the-counter pain medicines such as Tylenol, Aleve, or Advil to ease any pain.
Avoid getting a sunburn with prevention
Once you have recovered from a sunburn, you should try your best not to get another. Sunburn is also associated with many potentially harmful health issues. For instance, if your skin gets exposed to ultraviolet rays, your skin stands the chance of suffering from skin cancers. This is true for sunburn as well as man-made ultraviolet rays, like indoor tanning lamps. When you get a sunburn, the skin cells in that area tend to get burnt and raise your chance of suffering from melanoma, squamous cell and basal cell, and squamous cell skin cancer. Every year the United States witnesses over 2 million diagnoses of skin cancer. This number is higher as compared to even the other cancers considered together.
Getting a sunburn is completely preventable with some simple precautionary steps:
- When you go outdoors, you should make sure that you keep your skin protected. Try to keep all exposed areas of your skin covered with a light clothing fabric. You can wear a hat to protect your scalp and ears from getting too hot.
- There are also many medications that can potentially increase the possibility of sunburn. The best-known culprit is the Cycline family of antibiotics. For instance, if you take doxycycline or tetracycline regularly, you should consult your doctor to check if there are any risks associated before you hit the beach.
- Apply a sunscreen that offers a minimum SPF or sun protection factor of 30.
- Wear sunglasses to block UV rays from harming your skin.
- Keep yourself hydrated during the summers. Dehydration is the primary reason why the sun can harm your skin. You need to ensure that you consume plenty of fluids such as the sunburn drink that keep you hydrated and also enrich your body with vitamins and minerals.
- Keep an eye on your skin and make it a practice to check it every month.
- Ensure that you get a routine skin examination by a doctor. This regular approach will help you in ensuring that your skin is healthy when you go outside.
Conclusion
The summers are an incredible time to go outdoors, play in the parks, visit the beach, and sunbathe on a quiet afternoon. However, it is important to make sure that you and your family are completely safe against any possible inconvenience such as sunburn, which can even potentially turn into a health concern. With some simple precautions to avoid getting a sunburn and taking special care to treat it even if you get it, you can make the most out of your summer days. Enjoy outdoor activities while keeping your skin completely safe with sunburn drink.
