Sunburn Treatment and Prevention
When you’re exposed to UV rays, you are at risk of sunburn. Learn treatment and prevention options for sunburns.
What causes sunburn?
Exposure to UV rays is the main cause of sunburn. This can come from both natural sources, like the sun’s rays, and artificial sources like tanning beds. Other factors can increase your risk of sunburn including geographical location, length of time outside, complexion and activity level.
Anyone can get a sunburn in as few as 10 minutes. Proper treatment is key to ensure your body heals well and prevention is vital to maintaining your skin’s health.
Degrees of Sunburn
Sunburns are classified into three categories: first-degree, second-degree and third-degree. The degree of sunburn you have depends on how deep the sunburn’s damage is in the layers of your skin.
First-Degree Sunburn
First-degree sunburns are damage to your skin’s outer later. It will usually heal on its own within a week. Symptoms of a first-degree sunburn include:
Redness on lighter skin
Skin feels hot or tight
Pain or tenderness
Swelling
Peeling skin
Second-Degree Sunburn
A sunburn is categorized as second-degree when the middle section of your skin has been damaged. This type of sunburn is often accompanied by blisters, can take several weeks to heal and may require medical treatment. Symptoms include:
Extremely red skin
Blisters
Swelling over a large area
Pain
Wet-looking skin
White discoloration
Third-Degree Sunburn
Third-degree sunburns are very rare. A third-degree burn means every layer of your skin has been damaged, most likely from chemical or fire exposure. If you have a third-degree sunburn, you should seek emergency medical treatment.
Third-degree sunburn symptoms include:
Numb skin
A leather-like burn
A white or dull skin color
Any symptoms of heat illness like heat exhaustion or heat stroke
How to Treat Sunburn
The phase of your sunburn will help determine what treatment is best for you. Sunburns often present in three phases:
Pain
Redness with irritation
Peeling
As you heal, keep your sunburn covered to avoid more sunburn. You will also want to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and give your body the fuel it needs to heal.
For pain, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers or apply damp compresses to the burned area. You want to soothe your sunburn without agitating it too much, or you could cause complications.
Aloe vera gel and calamine lotion work well for both soothing the pain and subduing any itching that may occur as your sunburn progresses. Do not itch or pop any blisters to avoid delaying the healing process.
As your sunburn begins to peel, gently apply moisturizers. You may take an antihistamine or apply medicated creams to relieve itching.
How can I prevent sunburn?
While sunburn is treatable, your best care option is prevention. Some simple, yet effective sunburn prevention options are:
Wearing broad spectrum sunscreen, and reapplying every 2 hours
Limiting time outside to reduce exposure
Keeping your skin covered with long sleeves, hats, etc.
Avoiding tanning and tanning beds
When should I visit urgent care for sunburn treatment?
If your sunburn is uncomfortable, home treatment does not offer relief, you are concerned about possible infection or you are concerned about a severe burn, an urgent care medical provider may be able to offer alternative treatment options. If your sunburn does not seem to be healing, develops blisters or you experience chills, you should seek medical care as soon as possible.
Visit WellNow for Sunburn Treatment
At WellNow, our dedicated medical team will provide comprehensive care and treatment for your sunburn.
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WellNow Urgent Care is a series of urgent care clinics and virtual care serving the Midwest and Northeastern United States in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Information contained in this blog is for informational or educational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with healthcare professionals. The content is not meant to be complete or exhaustive or to apply to any specific individual's medical condition. Always refer to the personalized information given to you by your doctor or contact us directly.