Video:How to Treat a Sunburn
with Rod BrouhardDid a day in the sun leave you with an uncomfortable burn? Find out how to properly treat a sunburn.See Transcript
Transcript:How to Treat a Sunburn
Sunburn treatment starts with prevention. Using sunscreen will help prevent burns. Sunburns are caused by UV radiation rather than heat. Sunburns destroy skin, which controls the amount of heat our bodies retain or release, holds in fluids, and protects us from infection.How to Recover from Sunburn
It takes several days to recover from sunburns and to do so you need to:- Get out of the sun.
- Look for blisters. If the area with blisters is bigger than one entire arm or the whole abdomen, call 911 or visit the emergency room.
- Take a cool shower to soothe the pain.
- Apply aloe or any cooling agent. Do not apply butter or oil to any burn.
- Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be used for the pain of a sunburn. If stronger pain relief is needed, contact a physician or go to the emergency room.
Tips for Treating Sunburn
Here are some tips to keep in mind in case of sunburns:- Burns cause swelling. Burns of the face and neck can sometimes swell enough to cause difficulty breathing. If that happens, call 911 immediately.
- Burns that completely circle the hands or feet may cause such severe swelling that blood flow is restricted. If swollen hands and feet become numb and tingly, blue, cold, or "fall asleep," then call 911 immediately.
- While the burn is healing, wear loose natural clothing like silks or light cottons. Harsher fabrics will irritate the skin even more.
- Too much sun can also cause heat illness.
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