Wednesday, February 28, 2018

All Sun Worshippers Should Know How To Heal Sunburn

By Deborah Lewis


The sun worshippers of today tend to be more careful when it comes to overexposure to the sun's harmful rays than previous generations were. Sunscreen and hats are more prevalent on the beach than they used to be. Sunburns can happen however, and if you are beginning to feel the burn from too much sun and not enough protections, experts have good advice for how to heal sunburn.

As soon as you notice your skin getting pink, you need to leave the beach and go inside. The pink will increase to red as the hours go on, and you will begin to feel the burn. It's a good idea to get into a shower as soon as possible when you have been overexposed to the sun. You can mix baking soda and water to make a cooling compress. Too much soap will dry out your skin.

Creams can be effective, but a lot of sufferers turn to them too soon. Aloe and hydrocortisone are good, but you don't want to apply them until your skin is beginning to heal. Once it gets to the itchy stage, the creams can be very soothing. If you have a severe burn, your doctor may recommend prescription creams.

Natural remedies are often more effective than the more expensive lotions and potions you find in stores. Cucumbers, for instance, are a good source of antioxidants and analgesics. You can turn them into paste by mashing them in a blender and then applying the paste to the affected area. Tea bags are also great for sunburns. There is tannic acid in tea that draws heat away from the body and restores PH. Cider vinegar added to bath water is another natural soother.

You know you have second degree burns when the skin actually blisters. This can become serious. Infection is a real possibility. Dry bandages over the blisters will help prevent infection. Popping blisters can cause raw skin and invite infection. It also slows down the healing process.

You do have to keep an eye on your skin to make sure it doesn't become infected. Signs of infection include fever, discharge from blisters, and pain that increases instead of decreasing. At this point you need to take a trip to a walk-in clinic or the emergency room depending on the severity of the burn.

People make a lot of common mistakes when dealing with sunburns. Petroleum jelly and butter are not good for this condition, and can make it worse. Harsh soaps will dry out your skin. All of these will make the healing process more difficult and prolonged. Over the counter medications can be effective, but you have to be careful about reading the labels before you use them.

It's a lot of fun to go to the beach or the pool in the summer. The combination of sun, water, and heat can be very relaxing. You have to be careful that you don't overdo however, and end up with a painful reminder of your outdoor excursion.




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