Sunburn First Aid

Summertime brings a boatload of fun activities for the whole family - but one summer side effect that isn't fun is the dreaded sunburn.

Sunburns can vary in severity, ranging from mild redness and discomfort to more severe blistering and pain. Thankfully, most sunburns can be treated at home and heal in less than a week. Lindsay Vanlaere, nurse practitioner at Franciscan Health ExpressCare in West Lafayette, provides tips on dealing with a painful sunburn.

How Long Sunburns Last

The duration of a sunburn can vary, depending on its severity. Mild sunburns typically last for a few days to a week, while more severe sunburns with blisters may take longer (7 to 10 days) to heal completely.

Here's a general timeline of how a sunburn progresses:

• Initial redness and discomfort: Redness usually appears 3 to 5 hours after sun exposure. The affected skin becomes red and warm, and it may feel tender or painful.
• Peak redness and inflammation: The redness and discomfort of the sunburn usually peak within the first day or two after exposure.
• Potential blistering: In more severe cases of sunburn, blister formation may occur within a day or two after sun exposure.
• Peeling: After a few days, the sunburned skin may begin to peel as it heals. Peeling of the skin and tanning may occur 4 to 7 days after exposure.

Treating a sunburn involves soothing the skin, reducing inflammation and promoting healing. 

At-Home Sunburn Remedies

Here are some home remedies that you can try to get relief from a scorching sunburn:

• Aloe vera gel. Note that while aloe vera is generally considered safe for most people and is widely used for its soothing properties, it may cause skin reaction (rash) in some individuals. 
• Cool compress over the sunburn, such as a damp washcloth
• Moisturize the skin. Apply a gentle moisturizing cream or unscented lotion to the sunburned skin to help soothe and hydrate it.
• Over-the-counter pain reliever medication, such as Tylenol or Advil, which may help reduce pain and inflammation associated with sunburn.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water

Comfort Tips While Healing From A Sunburn

It's important to give your body time to heal from the sunburn. To help with the healing process and make you more comfortable, avoid tight-fitting clothing, hot showers and additional sun exposure while your sunburn heals. If you have blisters on your sunburn, do not pop or pick at them.

If you need to be in the sun while your sunburn is healing, wear protective clothing such as sun-protective ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) fabric or breathable cotton clothing. Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use a solar umbrella to protect your skin.

When To See A Doctor For A Sunburn

You should see a doctor or healthcare provider for your sunburn if you experience any of the following:

• Blisters
• Fever
• Severe pain that cannot be controlled with over-the-counter pain medication
• Swelling

Medications That Increase Your Risk Of Sunburn

You may not realize it, but several common types of medications can increase your risk of sunburn. These medications are known as "photosensitive" and include the following:

• Acne medication
• Anti-fungal medication
• Antihistamines (such as Benadryl)
• Certain antibiotics
• Chemotherapy medication
• Cholesterol medication
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

If you take any of these medications, you should take extra steps to protect your skin from a serious burn and damage. Protect yourself by:

• Using sunscreen with a sun protectant factor (SPF) of 50 or more and reapplying every two hours
• Wearing a wide-brimmed hat or using a solar umbrella to protect your skin
• Wearing protective clothing such as sun protective UPF fabric or breathable cotton clothing

HealthDay News contributed information to this article.