5 Treatments of Sunburn

If you are unlucky enough to look like the photograph, then read on…. Most cases of sunburn can be treated at home.

1.     Water Take a cool shower or bath to help cool down your skin. Sponge the affected areas or apply a cold compress, such as a cold flannel, to the affected area.

Drink plenty of fluids – this helps to cool you down and replace water lost through sweating. It will also help prevent dehydration (when the normal water content in your body is reduced, causing thirst and light-headedness). Do not drink alcohol as this only adds to dehydration.

2.     Moisturiser For mild sunburn, apply a moisturising lotion or aftersun cream. Aftersun cream will cool your skin and moisturise it, helping to relieve the feeling of tightness.

Moisturisers that contain aloe vera will also help to soothe your skin. Calamine lotion can relieve any itching or soreness.

3.     Hydrocortisone cream Sunburn may also be treated by applying 1% hydrocortisone cream to the affected area. This type of cream contains a corticosteroid and is rubbed directly onto the sunburned area to reduce pain and inflammation (swelling).

You should not apply hydrocortisone cream to certain parts of your body including:

·        the face

·        genitals

·        broken or infected skin

            Also, avoid using hydrocortisone cream on children under two years old.

Seek advice from your pharmacist before you start using hydrocortisone cream to treat sunburn.

4.     Painkillers Painkillers can help to relieve the pain and reduce the inflammation caused by sunburn.

Paracetamol can be used to treat pain and control fever. Ibuprofen is a type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which can help relieve pain, reduce inflammation and lower a high temperature.

Aspirin should not be given to children who are under 16 years of age. 

  

5.  Severe sunburn Severe cases of sunburn may require special burn cream and burn dressings. Ask your pharmacist for advice. You may need to have your burns dressed by a nurse at your GP surgery.

Very severe sunburn cases may require treatment at your local accident and emergency (A&E) department.

Prevention is always the best cure so remember avoid the midday sun drink plenty of fluids and