It was hot outside and you wanted to go on a date with your partner. Unfortunately, after a lovey-dovey day, your skin felt like it was on fire: it turned red and sore. Does this scenario sound familiar? The awful feeling your skin is left with is called sunburn. Sunburn can cause redness, soreness, and discomfort. As you age, it can pave the way to health complications, like skin cancer.
In the event of a sunburn, it’s crucial to take action promptly. To effectively treat sunburn and ease its discomfort, consider these five scientifically supported steps.
- Take a cool shower
According to Dr. Ida Orengo, a dermatologist at Baylor College of Medicine in Texas, using hot water can worsen the condition, so opt for a cool shower instead. It is good to alleviate sunburn pain, inflammation, swelling, and blisters. Don’t forget to choose mild soap (or you can go for not using soap too). When getting out of showers, pat your skin gently to avoid aggravating the pain.
- Take some medicine
Sunburn causes skin inflammation, so it can be reduced using medicine like ibuprofen or Tylenol. Also known as Acetaminophen, Tylenol can ease the pain but does not treat inflammation. Dr. Leah Jacob, an dermatologist at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, suggests taking either if not allergic to either.
- Use a gentle moisturizer
Apply a mild moisturizer, like Aquaphor, petroleum jelly, or aloe vera for sunburn. Both Aquaphor and petroleum jelly can fix skin barrier, while aloe gel without mixed with lots of ingredients is also helpful. Go for additive-free lotion to avoid irritation.
- Try a cold compress
To soothe sunburn on your skin, Jacob recommends applying cold compresses. Apply a wet towel on the sunburn, or refrigerate the towel for a colder compress.
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- Drink water
Skin plays a role in retaining water. When you get sunburn, your skin becomes damaged and less effective at maintaining fluids. As a result, the body loses some of its hydration. To fight this, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
source: huffpost.com
