4 Things to Avoid After a Sunburn

Author: Mary Bodel
Source: ezinearticles.com

By now, even older children are aware that the sun can cause some serious damage to skin. Premature aging, dark spots and skin cancer are some of the results over a lifetime of sun damage. These problems can result even if you’ve never gotten a burn, but sunburns can make the problem worse.

There are also some things you can do that will cause problems, worsening the burn and/or putting you at risk for organ damage. You may have actually done some of these in the past. Here are four things you should not do after a sunburn.

1) Butter: Never put butter on any sort of burn. Sunburns are, in fact a real burn. Putting any oil based unguent on it can seal in the heat, thus causing the burn to continue damaging the skin long after you came in out of the sun.

2) Lidocaine: I shy away from using this sort of treatment due to the short duration of the effects and the probability it will be used again far too soon. While overdosing is not frequent, it can occur and it can be fatal. If sufficient amounts are used, it can cause problems with your heart’s rhythm, your breathing and cause seizures. Coma and death have also been reported, though as I mentioned, this is rare.

3) Popping blisters: Yes, they’re unsightly, they get irritated easily by clothing and getting rid of them is highly desirable. However, if you pop the blister, you can cause an infection and the area has the potential to scar. Let nature take its course. By the same token, don’t use exfoliants. That could cause the same problems.

4) Hot Shower: Adding more heat to a burn is not a good idea. Taking a hot shower won’t prevent the burn from worsening, and in fact could contribute to making it worse. Going back out into the sun is also a bad idea.

There are three levels of burns, though the sun usually only does first and second degree. First degree means the skin is red but not blistered. A headache, low fever and pain are the symptoms. Second degree means that the skin forms blisters. Nausea and vomiting may occur with this sort of burn.

Most of the time, sunburns can be treated at home. A severe burn or symptoms of heat exhaustion/stroke should be seen by the doctor. The very young and the very old should also be seen by a doctor, as they may have more serious difficulties recovering. Home treatment includes these steps:

1) Cool the Burn: A tepid bath or shower is a good place to start, if it is available. You don’t want the water to be ice cold, as that will shock the system and create some nasty complications. One part vinegar with six parts water can be used after the bath or in place of it if that is unavailable. Dip a soft cloth into the solution, wring it out and lay it on the area.

2) Aloe Vera: Unless you are allergic, this is one of the best treatments for a burn. Wait until the burn has been cooled, though it should not seal heat in. You can buy it in gel form, which may be easier on the skin. Make sure it does not have lidocaine or any other chemical topical anesthetic to avoid possible overdose problems. Aloe can be reapplied as needed.

3) Keep Cool: Avoid going out in the sun, and try to stay where it is cool and air conditioned. This is not just for your skin, it’s for your whole body.

4) Pain Relief: Over the counter oral pain relievers may help with the headache and physical pain. If you prefer natural pain relief, willow bark may be helpful. Don’t use it if you are allergic to aspirin, have gout or you are on low dose aspirin therapy.

Sunburns are an uncomfortable part of summer for many people. Knowing what to do and what *not* to do is very important. One more thing to keep in mind. If you have any discomfort about treating at home, by all means contact your doctor. Many times this is your subconscious mind telling you there is something wrong.

My eBook the Complete Guide to Complementary Remedies, has information from all of my mini books, plus much more. Topics include: