10 Essential Do's and Don'ts for Managing Sunburn at Home
Doctor explains how to manage sunburn at home with top tips and essential precautions. Learn what to do and what to avoid to soothe your skin and prevent further damage. Stay safe and protect your skin!
Disclaimer
The medical information in this content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. While Doctor O'Donovan Medical Education Limited always aims to provide accurate information, it does not replace professional medical advice from your own doctor or health provider. Always consult your own healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Doctor O'Donovan Medical Education Limited can not provide individual advice. Never ignore professional medical advice from your own health provider because of something you have read or watched here. Educational resources created by Doctor O'Donovan Medical Education Limited are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Topic Breakdown
So you've spent too long in the sun and now you’re dealing with sunburn. Your skin might feel hot to the touch, sore, and painful. After a few days, it might begin to flake or peel. If the sunburn is severe, it might even start to blister. In this post, we’re going to cover five top tips for managing sunburn at home and five things you should avoid doing.
So, what should you do?
1. Get out of the sun as soon as possible: The longer you stay in the sun, the worse the sunburn will become. It’s crucial to remove yourself from the source of the damage immediately.
2. Cool your skin: As soon as you’re inside and out of the sun, try to cool your skin with a cold shower, bath, or damp towel. If a baby or young child has sunburn, be cautious not to let them get too cold because they can’t regulate their body temperature as well as adults. Once you get out of the shower or bath, gently pat yourself or your child dry but leave a little bit of water on the skin. Then, apply a moisturizer to help trap the water in your skin. This can help ease the dryness.
3. Apply after-sun lotion or spray: Typically, the best ones contain aloe vera, which has a compound called aloin that helps reduce inflammation. Aloe vera can be soothing and help to cool the skin.
4. Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated is crucial. Sunburn draws fluid to the skin’s surface and away from the rest of the body. Drinking extra water when you’re sunburned helps to prevent dehydration.
5. Consider over-the-counter painkillers: If you’re in a lot of pain, you could consider taking over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol (known as Tylenol in the US) or ibuprofen. Always read the instructions on the medication packet before taking them, including any possible side effects.
6. Cover sunburned skin from direct sunlight: Until the skin has fully healed, avoid exposing it to direct sunlight. Tightly woven fabrics work best for this. When you hold up the fabric to a bright light, you shouldn’t see any light coming through.
Now that we’ve covered these five things you should be doing, let’s discuss what you shouldn’t do.
1. Don’t use petroleum jelly: Products like Vaseline on sunburned skin can block pores, preventing heat and sweat from escaping. This can make you feel hotter and can also lead to infection if the pores remain blocked.
2. Don’t put ice or ice packs on sunburned skin: While it might seem like a good idea, it can actually make matters worse by causing intense vasoconstriction, where blood vessels narrow sharply and cut off the local blood supply to already damaged skin.
3. Don’t pop any blisters: Popping blisters can lead to infection. It’s best to let them heal naturally.
4. Don’t scratch or try to remove peeling skin: This will only irritate your skin further and can cause more damage.
5. Don’t wear tight-fitting clothes over sunburned skin: Tight clothes can be extremely painful and can exacerbate the condition.
Taking precautions against getting sunburned is essential. Even one episode of bad sunburn can increase your risk of skin cancer in the future. Always use high SPF sunscreen, cover up with long sleeves, sunglasses, and headgear. Don’t forget the tops of your ears, the back of your neck, and the tops of your feet when applying sunscreen.
If you want to learn more, check out the references and resources in the description box of the video. Remember to stay safe, stay smart, and if in doubt, stay out of the sun, especially between peak hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Sunburn is more than just a painful inconvenience; it’s a serious health risk. By taking the right steps to treat it and, more importantly, to prevent it, you can protect your skin and enjoy the sun safely. If you found this advice helpful and want to delve deeper into effective skin care or need personalized guidance, consider booking a consultation. We can help you scale your medical brand on YouTube or even discuss sponsorship opportunities for your products in our upcoming videos. Your skin’s health is worth the investment.
Share this article
Partner with Dr. O Donovan
If you would like to partner on a healthcare related campaign, discuss a story or seek my expert opinion please don't hesitate to reach out.