Once Burned

What To Do If You Got a Sunburn

All summer you’ve heard the importance of using sunscreen and really taking care of your skin. Unfortunately, sunburns still happen to everyone. Do you know what to do if you get a sunburn? If your answer is “cry” don’t worry—there’s a few things you can do to feel better.

Warning Signs of a Sunburn

The first signs that you have a sunburn may not start to appear for several hours after your overexposure to the sun. Once they appear, some of the signs include:

• Red and tender skin that’s warm to the touch
• Skin peeling in the area
• The development of blisters
• A severe reaction that may include chills, fever, and nausea

These are just some of the signs of mild to severe sunburn. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t panic. There are several home remedies you can use to ease your pain.

Home Treatment for a Sunburn

You know how uncomfortable a sunburn can be and if you have one you’ll want to follow these tips to help relieve your pain:

• Try taking a cool shower or bath or place a damp, cool wash cloth on the burn
• If your skin is not blistering, try using a moisturizing cream to relieve discomfort
• Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, can help relieve pain
• Avoid using products that contain benzocaine, lidocaine, or petroleum, such as Vaseline, on the area

Of course, these are just some home remedies. If you’re experiencing severe pain, blistering, or illness you’ll want to immediately consult your physician.

We all love to get out and enjoy the sun (and hopefully you had the chance to this past summer), but as a fun summer day winds down you may find that you didn’t quite do enough to protect your skin. It’s not the end of the world and it doesn’t mean you have to be in pain for an extended period. Following these tips will help ease your pain and, hopefully, have you feeling better and enjoying the sun soon (just remember to use more sunscreen the next time)!