What to do if you have a severe sunburn. Sunburn of the skin. What is prohibited to do
Summer is already on the doorstep, which means you should think about protecting your skin, because it is during this hot season that you can get a sunburn. We’ll talk about preventive measures, first aid and treatment of sunburn in today’s article.
Sunburn (photodermatitis) refers to damage to the skin due to excessive exposure to invisible sunlight. The longer such rays are, the more intense their effect on the skin. The most harmful are the so-called UVB rays, which affect the papillary layer of the dermis, causing redness and inflammation of the skin. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays leads to active synthesis of melanin by skin cells (melanocytes), which protects the skin from burns. Tanning occurs due to the accumulation of melanin in the skin.
Basking in the gentle rays of the sun, very often we forget about precautions, and yet none of us is immune from skin inflammation as a result of sunburn. After half an hour of exposure to the scorching sun without using sunscreen, you can get a sunburn. Most often, areas of the body that are not protected by clothing are burned - shoulders, face, chest. Sunburns can vary in severity. In the most difficult cases, when blisters with serous contents, ulcers appear, the temperature rises, headaches, chills, nausea and clouding of consciousness occur, you should immediately consult a doctor. In this case, you should not treat burns yourself, since delay can lead to porphyria cutanea tarda, in which porphyrins, which are photosensitizers (substances that increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun), accumulate in the skin against the background of improper metabolism in the liver. To diagnose this disease, it is enough to take a urine test. As a rule, urine has a pink-red color due to the large amount of uroporphyrins in it.
If, as a result of prolonged exposure to the sun, you feel discomfort, pain, if there is redness and irritation of the skin, as well as general weakness of the body, there is no need to panic. You can relieve the symptoms of sunburn yourself with the help of traditional medicine and pharmaceutical medications, which we will discuss below.
It should also be noted that some medications contain substances (photosensitizers) that, when used externally or internally, increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight. Therefore, when taking medications, you should definitely take this fact into account and carefully study the instructions for the drug. Corticosteroid external agents, Baziron gel, Doxycycline and other tetracycline group products have this effect. Quite often, this property is also inherent in some plants, the juice of which, when it comes into contact with human skin, causes photophytodermatitis.
To protect your skin from such troubles, you should use sunscreen cosmetics before and after tanning in accordance. In addition, taking into account your skin type, you should determine the optimal period of time spent in the open sun.
Prevention of sunburn.
For minor skin damage, avoid exposure to sunlight. In this case, it is necessary not only to protect damaged areas with clothing, but also to know the throughput of a particular fabric. For example, synthetic fabric can transmit up to 15%, and natural cotton up to 6% of ultraviolet rays. If the clothes are wet, then about 20% more rays should be added, affecting the skin with protected fabric. Therefore, you should give preference to cotton or silk, and synthetics will only increase skin irritation.
It should also be remembered that under the influence of sunlight, not only tissue damage occurs, but also the appearance of a huge amount of free radicals. In order to neutralize them, a person exposed to the sun for a long period of time needs to drink as much fluid as possible. The greatest antioxidant effect comes from drinking green tea and pomegranate juice. By the way, the latter also has anti-inflammatory properties. For the same purpose, your daily diet should include as many fresh vegetables and fruits as possible (they contain a lot of vitamins C and E), as well as legumes and nuts.
First aid for sunburn and their treatment.
The very first thing to do if you have a sunburn is to go indoors to stop the exposure of your skin to ultraviolet radiation. In general, after this you should limit your time in the sun until the pain disappears, so as not to provoke the appearance of new burns, the healing of which will be much slower. Further actions will depend on the severity of the burn. In case of a severe burn, when blisters or ulcers appear, especially in a child, you should seek help from specialists who will administer painkillers and prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs. Particularly severe burns that cover most of the body may require hospitalization.
The victim, immediately after going outside, should take a cool shower or apply a cold compress to particularly affected areas of the skin. If he cannot do this on his own, he needs help with this. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids to normalize the water balance in the body.
To relieve fever, reduce pain, itching and inflammation, it is recommended to take an Aspirin tablet, and also drink Ibuprofen 400 mg every four hours for several days until the redness disappears. Instead of Ibuprofen, you can take any drug with similar properties.
Sprays based on dexpanthenol help with burns. They relieve inflammation, promoting speedy healing. Dexpanthenol is the active ingredient of a European quality medicinal product - PanthenolSpray. PanthenolSpray removes inflammation, eliminates burning, relieves redness and other symptoms of burns. The drug has been widely used for many years and has already established itself as a popular spray for burns. It is for this reason that it has many analogues that simply copy the packaging of the original drug.
You should be careful when choosing a spray at the pharmacy, because... Almost all analogues are produced as cosmetics, because this form of release does not require clinical trials, and their registration procedure is significantly simplified. As a result, the composition of such drugs cannot always be called safe. Thus, some of them contain parabens, potentially hazardous preservatives that accumulate in tissues and can provoke the growth of tumors.
When choosing a spray for burns, it is important to pay attention to the composition and the country in which the product was produced. Packaging is important. The original spray is a medicinal product, produced in Europe, and is distinguished by a characteristic smiley face located to the right of the name Pan-Te-Nol on the packaging
Since a burn is an allergic reaction of the skin to ultraviolet radiation, doctors recommend the use of antihistamines, in particular Claritin and Suprastin.
When burned, the skin needs vitamins and restoration, so be sure to use vitamin E after cooling, applying it to the damaged areas. This will speed up the recovery process. In the process of treating serious burns resulting from excessive exposure to sunlight, it is recommended to take additional vitamins C and D.
What not to do!
- It is strictly forbidden to lubricate sunburned skin areas with any oil (including after sunburn), alcohol lotion, or use ointments based on benzocaine and lidocaine. All these remedies help slow down the healing process and restoration of the skin.
- It is not recommended to take paracetamol drugs, as they do not reduce inflammation. In exceptional cases, when the victim is intolerant to aspirin or ibuprofen, Tylenol may be taken.
- It is not recommended to “help” peeling skin by tearing it off, and you should also not puncture blisters. The more you work on the flaky areas, the more the skin will peel.
- The peeling will go away on its own. Puncture of blisters on your own can lead to infection, bleeding, and discoloration of the skin.
- Do not rub the burn area or wash it with soap or scrub. This opens the way for various infections.
- Do not rub burned skin. Handle it with care.
High-grade sunburn can cause swelling. Damage to the skin of the face and neck can make breathing difficult. In this situation, you should immediately consult a doctor. If the skin lesions on the arms and legs are a large part, it can lead to poor circulation. Therefore, if you experience a feeling of numbness in your arm or foot, as well as bluish extremities, you should immediately consult a specialist.
Folk remedies for treating sunburn.
For burned eyelids, you can use wet compresses made from green tea bags.
To relieve burning and reduce pain from hay burns, it is recommended to make a compress of strongly brewed tea two to three times a day for twenty to thirty minutes.
To reduce friction of damaged skin from the sheet, you can use regular talcum powder by sprinkling it on the sheet.
If the damage affects a significant part of the skin of the legs, it is recommended to create an elevated position for them.
To reduce itching and pain, as well as to speed up the recovery process of burned skin, you can use regular potato starch, sprinkling it on damaged tissues. Starch can also be used as a lotion, for which it should be diluted in water.
Potatoes can be applied raw to a burn as a fifteen-minute compress. To do this, grate the potatoes and place them in cheesecloth. This method is effective for sun allergies. Only potato juice can be used as a compress. In combination with wheat flour, potato juice can be used as a face mask (for fifteen minutes) if there is a minor burn.
Potatoes with sour cream are another effective remedy for healing burns. Grind boiled and peeled potatoes in a blender, adding sour cream. Apply the resulting composition to damaged areas of the skin for half an hour, then rinse with water at room temperature. This product can be used as a face mask. Apply warm; after fifteen minutes, wipe the skin with a cotton swab.
The most common and effective folk remedy for sunburn are dairy products (kefir, sour cream, sour yogurt), which should be applied to the lesions several times during the day. This product softens and cools the skin, relieving burning and itching. In case of severe burns accompanied by blisters, the use of this method may have the opposite effect.
A compress made from a mixture of cottage cheese and buttermilk also helps to cool the skin and relieve pain. The mixture should be transferred to a towel and applied to the damage. As the compress dries, you should change it to another one. Instead of cottage cheese, you can also use kefir or sour cream.
Herbal compresses perfectly relieve pain, burning and itching, and also speed up the healing process. Infusions of chamomile, calendula, and lavender are effective for these purposes. The preparation recipe is indicated in the instructions for use. The cooled decoction is stored in the refrigerator. Used as a lotion for burns.
For redness of the skin, wet-dry dressings with herbal decoctions (chain, celandine, chamomile, oak bark, etc.) are recommended, which should be prepared according to the instructions supplied with the herbs. Moisten a gauze cloth folded in several layers in a herbal decoction at room temperature and apply to the burned areas for fifteen minutes. This kind of lotion should be done for one and a half hours. Then the victim should rest for three hours, and moisturizing creams should be applied to the burn areas during this time. Two or three similar procedures should be performed during the day until the signs of inflammation completely disappear.
To treat this problem, it is also effective to use a decoction of angustifolia fireweed leaves as a lotion. Brew 10 g of dry leaves with 200 ml of boiling water, put on fire and boil for fifteen minutes from the moment of boiling. Cool to room temperature.
When treating sunburn, lotions (every ten minutes for an hour, twice a day) and rubbing with a decoction of St. John's wort are effective. To prepare it, brew a tablespoon of the herb with 200 ml of boiling water, put it on the fire and boil from the moment it boils for ten minutes. Then the broth should be immediately strained and cooled to room temperature.
A compress made from chamomile decoction is effective for sunburn. To prepare it, pour a tablespoon of chamomile into 200 ml of boiling water and leave for half an hour. This decoction or alcohol tincture can be added in small quantities to any fortified fatty cream. The product is great for treating burns and skin irritation.
Oak bark decoction is also effective as a lotion in treating skin lesions resulting from excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Pour 20-40 g of oak bark with a glass of boiling water, boil for ten minutes and strain.
It is effective to apply freshly squeezed aloe juice to damaged areas of the skin. You can also dilute this juice in equal proportions with water and, moisten a gauze cloth in it, apply it to the burns once or twice a day every ten minutes for an hour. You can buy cooling aloe gel at the pharmacy.
For burns, a mixture of equal parts watermelon and cucumber juices is great. Wipe the damaged areas with this mixture.
Cabbage leaves, which should be applied directly to the burned areas, are also effective for sunburn.
To soften the skin when treating burns, it is useful to rub in wheat germ oil.
Protective products against sunburn.
To protect your skin from sunburn, you should use special creams or lotions with a sun protection factor against ultraviolet rays type A and B, the value of which can vary from five to fifty. As a rule, such products contain vitamin E, which reduces the skin's sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation.
When choosing a sunscreen, you need to focus on the characteristics of your skin. Fair skin is very sensitive to the sun, which causes it to burn quickly, so it requires the use of products with a high sun protection factor (SPF of at least 70). In the future, when the skin has received a persistent tan, the level of protection can be reduced to twenty (SPF 20). Those who do not experience problems staying in the open sun for a long time can use products with a protection level of six to fifteen (SPF from 6 to 15).
The right product should be applied before going outside, not on the beach. When applying, special attention should be paid to protruding parts of the body (nose, chest, cheekbones, shoulders). The cream must be applied in an even thin layer, without rubbing into the skin. Even if the product indicates that it is waterproof, after swimming in a pond, it must be reapplied, since after using the towel the layer of protective film is sharply reduced.
Even if your product contains a high level of protection, it is still recommended to be in the open sun only in the morning and evening. In addition, you should not forget about sunglasses, they will protect the delicate and thin skin around the eyes, as well as the retina itself.
Everyone knows how harmful sunlight can be to the skin, but many people still forget or simply don't want to use sunscreen. Perhaps this applies to you too. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation can cause DNA damage. Short periods of sun exposure can give you a nice tan (that is, skin pigmentation that protects your skin from ultraviolet radiation), but long-term exposure to any kind of ultraviolet radiation is harmful to all skin types and can cause skin cancer. Although sunburns can be quite painful, they are usually considered superficial first-degree burns, which is the mildest group of burns. Although you can't reduce the damage to your skin after a sunburn, you can relieve pain and speed up healing. Fortunately, sunburn can almost always be treated at home.
Steps
Part 1
Treatment of sunburn- Witch hazel has very few side effects and is completely safe for children.
If you develop blisters, see your doctor. If the burn is severe, purulent blisters may appear. In this case, it is necessary to wash the affected area of skin with running water and mild soap. Blisters are a sign of a second-degree burn, which increases the risk of infection. If blisters appear on the skin from which pus is released, you should consult a doctor. The doctor will prescribe the appropriate antibiotics and can puncture the blisters if necessary.
Apply cold compresses. If you don't have ready-made compresses, dip a towel in ice water and apply it to the burned area.
Apply aloe vera to the affected area. Aloe vera juice and soy-based moisturizers are great for cooling burned skin. Aloe vera has been shown to speed up the healing of burns in preliminary studies. According to scientific literature, those patients who used aloe vera were cured on average 9 days earlier than others.
Keep your skin clean and well moisturized. Avoid using harsh, scented lotions as they may increase irritation.
Avoid sunlight while your skin is healing. Continued sun exposure may cause further damage to your skin and may require medical attention as a result. Burnt skin needs protection, so cover it when going out in the sun or other sources of ultraviolet radiation.
Be patient. Sunburns go away on their own. This usually takes several days or weeks. However, if you have a second-degree burn with blisters, it may take three weeks to heal. In case of a second degree sunburn, it is better to seek medical help. Sunburn usually leaves no scars.
Apply witch hazel to the burn. Soak cotton wool or a bandage with this astringent and apply to the damaged skin 3-4 times a day for 20 minutes to relieve pain and itching.
Part 3
Harm of sunburn-
See a doctor if you have severe sunburn. If you have been exposed to UV light for long periods of time and have significant burns (called light dermatosis), blistered skin, severe pain, fever, excessive thirst or fatigue, seek medical attention immediately. These symptoms may indicate more serious health problems. For example, they may be caused by genetic sensitivity to sunlight or metabolic characteristics that lead to niacin (vitamin B3) deficiency. Typical symptoms and treatments are described in this article. Medical attention is required for the following serious symptoms:
Beware of skin cancer. The two main forms of skin cancer—basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma—are directly linked to sun exposure. These cancers most often affect the face, ears, and hands. After five or more sunburns, the risk of the most dangerous form of skin cancer, melanoma, doubles. The risk of melanoma also increases after severe sunburn.
Be aware of the danger of heatstroke. When heatstroke occurs, the body loses the ability to regulate its temperature, and as a result, it continues to rise. Prolonged exposure to the sun can lead not only to severe burns, but also to heat stroke. The following symptoms indicate heatstroke:
- Protect the burn area from sunlight until the skin heals.
- Always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Remember to reapply, especially if you sweat or swim.
- Do not apply ice to the burn as it may further damage sensitive skin. To reduce the burning sensation, place the burn area under cool running water.
- The full effects of a sunburn can only appear 48 hours after receiving it.
Sources
- Matsumura Y, Ananthaswamy HN. Toxic effects of ultraviolet radiation on the skin. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2004 Mar 15. 195(3):298-308. .
- Narbutt J, Lesiak A, Sysa-Jedrzejowska A, Boncela J, Wozniacka A, Norval M. Repeated exposures of humans to low doses of solar simulated radiation lead to limited photoadaptation and photoprotection against UVB-induced erythema and cytokine mRNA up-regulation. J Dermatol Sci. 2007 Mar. 45(3):210-2. .
- http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003227.htm
- http://surgery.ucsd.edu/divisions/trauma-burn/about/burn-center/Pages/minor.aspx
- https://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/for-kids/about-skin/skin-cancer/treating-sunburn
- http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/burns
- http://www.emedicinehealth.com/sunburn/page8_em.htm#sunburn_medical_treatment
- http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Sunburn/Pages/Introduction.aspx
In today's post I want to share information with you first aid for sunburn.
The information is just relevant... summer, heat, beach. Many of you, of course, know what to do if you get sunburned on the beach, garden or other places under the scorching sun, but there are also people who do not have knowledge about sunburn and treatments against them. So…
What is a sunburn?
Sunburn- inflammation of the skin caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun, tanning beds and other sources of UV light.
- The skin at the burn site becomes inflamed and red, and touching it causes pain.
- For several days after sun exposure, the skin may become swollen, blistered, or crusty. Some people may develop a rash.
- Sometimes the general body temperature rises. In this case, you should be wary.
The severity of symptoms depends mainly on the following factors:
- skin type;
- location and duration of sun exposure;
- medications you are taking;
- degree of sun cream protection.
Sunburn symptoms do not appear instantly! Even if the skin has suffered from excessive exposure to sunlight, no visible changes in the skin will occur in the next hour or two. It's kind of a time bomb. Symptoms peak within 12–24 hours; exfoliation of the burnt layer of skin begins 4–7 days after sunburn.
Sometimes there are no obvious symptoms of a sunburn, but prolonged sun exposure still takes its toll on the skin, increasing the risk of wrinkles, freckles and skin cancer.
Why is sunburn dangerous?
Mild sunburns pass without serious consequences, severe sunburns lead to the formation of long-term non-healing skin defects: erosions and ulcers. But even repeated mild sunburns are unsafe for humans and can lead to skin damage (sunburn, photodermatoses, malignant neoplasms) of varying severity.
Exposure to direct sunlight stimulates the appearance of various benign pigmented neoplasms on the skin, primarily nevi and lentigines (birthmarks).
Almost every person has nevi. They can be located in different parts of the body and appear at different periods of life. Their presence requires regular monitoring by a dermato-oncologist, since over time they can transform into malignant skin tumors (melanoma), especially if a person’s lifestyle and profession involve prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, exposure to ionizing radiation and chemicals, which are carcinogens. Lentigines often appear at an older age.
Photodermatoses are skin diseases that occur under sun exposure. These include solar, phototoxic reactions, polymorphic solar dermatitis, benign summer solar dermatitis, lupus erythematosus and other diseases.
In addition to all of the above, sunburn received at an early age increases the risk of developing skin cancer in the future. In addition, repeated excessive ultraviolet radiation can lead to dryness and premature aging of the skin, increasing the risk of developing macular degeneration - one of the main causes of blindness.
If you find yourself with a sunburn, you need to take some steps to relieve pain when touching the skin, as well as prepare the skin for further treatment.
First aid for sunburn
First aid for a sunburn consists of cooling and moisturizing the damaged areas of the body, as well as taking products designed to relieve pain.
1. Cooling
As with any burn, with a sunburn, the affected area of skin needs to be cooled. Compresses and lotions with ordinary clean cold water are perfect for this. You can use aloe juice, chilled black tea with ice cubes, cucumber and tomato juices. It will also be useful to treat burns with antiseptic lotions, for example: furatsilin, chlorhexidine, a weak solution of potassium permanganate. The napkin for compresses must be moistened as it heats up.
2. Moisturizing and further treatment of the skin
Cooled skin must be moisturized, otherwise immediately after cooling the skin will dry out and become even more inflamed. After-sun products or medicinal sprays against sunburn will do the job perfectly. “Grandma’s medicines” will also help - kefir, sour cream, milk, egg white. The proteins contained in these products prevent moisture loss and restore the skin.
To prevent skin dehydration, doctors also recommend creams based on aloe vera, chamomile extracts, and: these components help the skin absorb moisture and retain it for a long time.
If the general condition is disturbed, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Paracetamol, Ibuprofen) are prescribed. You can also take aspirin, a drug from the salicylates group.
Important! When treating sunburn, you should not use alcohol-containing lotions and other cosmetics, because they additionally dry the skin, which causes additional injuries to it.
It should also be noted that burnt skin should not be washed with soap and “overloaded” with too greasy creams.
Important! If blisters form, they should never be punctured.
3. Pain relief
“Aspirin”, “”, “” or “Acetaminophen” will help relieve pain, and antihistamines will help reduce burning and itching. In addition, aspirin and ibuprofen prevent the formation of toxic substances that cause the skin to become red and swollen.
An ordinary cool bath will also help reduce pain and fever. These symptoms of burning are associated with active blood flow, which in turn is caused by severe inflammation; Accordingly, cold water will constrict the blood vessels and make your condition a little easier. Just don’t rush to get into the shower: strong jets of water again cause microtrauma and unnecessary pain.
A sunburn on the face is treated in the same manner as a general sunburn. The only thing you need to pay attention to is further nutrition of the skin. After all, not every person wants their face to become prematurely covered with wrinkles. To prevent this, after treating a sunburn, apply nourishing vitamin masks to your face, which will give your facial skin elasticity and normal water balance.
To avoid harming your facial skin, do not use products that tend to tighten the skin. For example: when using sour cream, kefir or whey, make sure that they do not dry out on your face, but immediately wash off the mask, and then apply a fresh one. In addition, if your facial skin is of the oily type, it is better to use products with a lower fat content (kefir, whey, etc.), and for dry skin, make masks from products with a higher fat content (sour cream, etc.).
Important! It is not advisable to lubricate your face with very greasy products (vaseline and the like). You can only increase the effect of the burn.
Several folk recipes for treating sunburn on the face
— Raw and cold egg white, which helps relieve fever and eliminate pain. It is recommended to use if your skin is more prone to oily type. Directions for use: Apply protein to damaged areas of skin and remove with a cotton swab dipped in cold water as soon as it begins to dry on the face.
. 1 tbsp. mix a spoonful of cold aloe juice with 2 tbsp. spoons of not very strong tea leaves. Soak gauze in this mixture and apply it to your face.
Aloe juice. Dilute aloe juice in cool boiled water, 2 tablespoons of juice - 2 tablespoons. spoons of water. Soak a napkin in this solution and wipe your burned face.
Oatmeal. Pour a small amount of cold water over a handful of lightly crushed flakes to form a paste, which you can apply to your face. As soon as the oatmeal mask begins to dry out, remove it with a cool, damp pad and apply the next layer.
Oat flour. Dilute 1 tbsp in 1 glass of clean and warm water. spoon of oatmeal, and then cool the resulting composition. You can add a couple more pieces of ice before use.
Frozen cottage cheese. Freeze it in the freezer until solid, then wrap it in a piece of gauze and apply it to your face.
Raw potatoes and cucumber. Just apply slices of fresh cucumber or peeled potatoes (you can use grated mixture) on your face. It is advisable that the vegetables are cold.
Sauerkraut. Apply the leaves to your face for 5-10 minutes.
Compresses Lightly brewed and very cold teas, both black and green, are also a good remedy for sunburn.
When it’s sunny, “grandmother’s medicines” are also good - kefir, sour cream, milk, egg white. The proteins contained in these products prevent moisture loss and restore the skin.
You can also use the following folk remedies:
Potato. Wash the potato tubers (you don’t need to peel them) well and grate them or grind them in a blender. Then place the potato mixture on the red areas of the skin for 20 minutes. Wash off with warm water.
Lavender cream. 65 ml of moisturizing body lotion with no or minimal additives, 20 drops of lavender essential oil, 10 drops of essential oil. Mix everything together and apply to burned areas. This cream can be stored for 1 year.
Cabbage. Cabbage leaves can be applied to sunburn areas. They will cool burning skin and relieve inflammation. If there are a lot of “affected” places, then we simply chop the cabbage, turning it into a pulp, and apply it to the lesions. Validity period – 30 minutes.
Carrot. You can grind the carrots in a blender or on a grater and, of course, it is best to apply it to the face. But not in its pure form, but by mixing chopped carrots with egg whites. Apply the carrot-protein mixture to the face and leave for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
Cucumber. Squeeze the juice out of it and apply to damaged areas of the skin. He will soften and calm.
For folk remedies to be effective, make masks at least twice a day. But no matter what method you choose to treat sunburn, the main thing is to moisturize your skin afterwards.
Choose creams that contain substances such as hyaluronic acid, extracts of aloe, cactus, witch hazel, sea buckthorn, rosemary, green tea, and ginko bilobo.
After-sun products or medicinal sprays against sunburn will do the job perfectly. “Grandma’s medicines” will also help - kefir, sour cream, milk, egg white. The proteins contained in these products prevent moisture loss and restore the skin.
If you find that your child has a sunburn, you need to give him a cool bath. A bath with oatmeal is effective. To prepare such a bath, you will need oatmeal powder or oatmeal. Take regular oatmeal, pour it into a cloth bag, tie it with thread and hang it under the shower or just put it in the bath. The child should spend 5 to 15 minutes in the bath. Then don't dry your baby - pat gently so that a thin layer of oatmeal powder remains on the skin. The powder relieves itching and softens the skin.
It is important that your child gets enough fluids, so make sure your child drinks plenty of water on the day of the burn and on the three days following.
Apply the general anti-sunburn products described above to damaged skin.
Pay attention to your child's nutrition. — strengthens the immune system and has a mild anti-inflammatory effect. The variety with is preferable. Dosage: child's age in years multiplied by 50 milligrams, twice daily. If it starts, reduce the dosage.
It is advisable to use vitamin C powder (non-acidic) or liquid vitamin C.
Both options are suitable for both babies and children and can be added to juice.
— strengthens the immune system and accelerates skin regeneration. Dosage: children 2 years and younger - 5 milligrams; from 2 years and older - from 10 to 15 milligrams. Give for two weeks, then stop.
Carotenoid complex - given prophylactically. Many carotenoids help absorb sun rays and protect the skin from damage. Give in a multivitamin complex.
If your child's skin becomes blistered or the temperature persists, be sure to consult a doctor!
To the doctor!
You should immediately consult a doctor if the swelling is severe and blisters appear on the skin.
Nutrition for sunburn
It is important to eat right while treating sunburn. Try to include fresh vegetables and fruits in your diet. They contain a huge amount of vitamin C and vitamin E, without which the process of healing and regeneration of the skin is simply not possible. In the same case, if for some reason you do not want or cannot eat fresh vegetables and fruits, you need to take chemically synthesized vitamins C and E. They can be purchased at almost any pharmacy. There you can buy any pharmacological drug made based on the active ingredient ibuprofen. Taking ibuprofen will not only relieve the inflammatory reaction on the skin and normalize the sick person, but will also significantly reduce the intensity of painful sensations.
To prevent sunburn, you need to follow a few simple rules:
- Sunbathe between 7.00 and 11.00 and after 17.00. During the period from 11.00 to 17.00 the sun “hots” our body the most and can damage your skin in just a couple of hours. Of course, these time frames are set for residents in the post-Soviet territory, in other climatic zones, you can navigate by your shadow: if your shadow is smaller than your height, then you should spend your time more in the shade than in the sun. In addition to sunburn, prolonged exposure to open areas during unfavorable hours of the solstice also threatens sunburn, which can also seriously harm your health.
- During peak solstice hours, it is better to go out into open space wearing closed clothes, a hat, and sunglasses. It is best to have sunglasses made of glass rather than plastic, because... Often, plastic harms the eyes more than it helps.
- If you follow a temporary regime of sunbathing, it is still advisable to hide from the sun for a certain period in the shade or in water. Try not to fall asleep on the beach so that your sleep does not turn into a nightmare after waking up.
- Use sunscreen whenever possible. They do not allow some UV rays to pass through. Sunscreens should be applied to dry and clean skin, preferably an hour before going out into the sun. After bathing, you need to reapply the cream.
If you have it, it is recommended to use special creams and oils with a protective index of 20.
If you have dark skin, use products with a protection index of 15 or less.
If you have fair skin and red hair, products with a protective index of 30 will do.
You can get a sunburn even in cloudy weather, because ultraviolet rays pass through the clouds.
Watch out, sun!
It is forbidden to stay in the sun for a long time:
- elderly people;
- children under 1 year old;
- women who are pregnant.
- patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, neurasthenia, cardiovascular diseases;
- patients taking certain types of antibiotics, diuretics, antihypertensive drugs that increase susceptibility to ultraviolet radiation causing photodermatosis.
You should also avoid direct sunlight:
- People who suffer from (areas of the skin that do not have pigmentation) - sunburn appears quite quickly.
- If you have a disease such as chloasma (areas of the skin with excessive pigmentation), the spots quickly darken and become even more visible.
- When - dry areas of the skin dry out even more.
The use of certain medications from the category of antibiotics, antihypertensives, and diuretics increases the skin's sensitivity to ultraviolet rays.
Peace, health and goodness to you!
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Causes of sunburn
A sunburn is a burn of the skin caused by ultraviolet radiation. As a result of the burn, the skin becomes inflamed. Half an hour after sun damage occurs, they become noticeable.
The main cause of sunburn is a decrease in the ability of melanin to protect the skin. A person with fair skin is more sensitive to the effects of sunlight than a dark-skinned person.
You can get a sunburn from prolonged exposure to the sun without applying a protective cream.
Sunburn: symptoms
The development of a sunburn occurs within the first 24 hours after receiving it. The degree of intensity of burn development varies from redness of the skin to peeling. It is possible to develop swelling as symptoms of a burn, as well as the formation of blisters and severe pain in the affected areas.
If there is a severe burn or it is combined with heatstroke, the state of health deteriorates sharply, the patient’s body temperature rises, he begins to feel weakness and chills.
In places where the skin peels, its sensitivity to solar radiation increases.
There are four degrees of sunburn, determined by the depth of the skin damage and the total area of the affected areas.
Sunburn 1st degree
With a first-degree burn, small blisters do not appear on the victim's skin, and the skin turns slightly red. In this case, pain occurs in the affected areas of the skin. You can treat such burns at home yourself.
Sunburn 2nd degree
The second degree of severity of sunburn is characterized by the appearance of blisters, which are filled with clear liquid inside. The temperature may rise, chills and dizziness may occur. The victim begins to feel sick.
In some cases, fainting occurs. If this happens, seek medical attention.
Sunburn 3rd degree
With third-degree sunburn, deep damage to the skin occurs, and its internal structure is disrupted. The burn can cover up to 60% of the skin. This degree of burn is characterized by a change in the general condition of a person.
Sunburn 4th degree
4th degree sunburn is uncommon. Its sign is skin damage against the background of severe dehydration. At the same time, the functioning of the liver and kidneys sharply deteriorates; if timely measures are not taken, death is possible.
Help for sunburn at home
First aid for sunburn is an integral, important condition for providing first aid to the victim. It involves direct exposure to areas of the skin in order to treat the burn and prevent its subsequent occurrence.
Sunburn: first aid at home
First aid for a sunburn at home involves taking a cool bath immediately after the first signs of burns are discovered. You can also shower and bathe to relieve burn symptoms, reduce the temperature of the affected areas, and provide pain relief.
After a shower, it is recommended to treat the skin at the burn site with special compounds. Aloe-based lotions, hyaluronic acid and chamomile extract are excellent for these purposes. It is important that alcohol-based formulations should not be used. Placing the limbs at some elevation helps prevent the occurrence of edema.
This requires adjustments to the nutritional diet. You should drink plenty of water and eat protein-based foods. Water speeds up metabolism, and protein promotes tissue regeneration.
First aid for sunburn in children
If a child is damaged by the sun, first aid should be provided. It involves first irrigating the damaged surface with cool water. You should give your child some painkillers if the child is in pain. In addition, it is imperative to give your child tea in large quantities.
To achieve maximum results, parents must know everything about the consequences of burns and be able to quickly and efficiently provide first aid to their child.
First aid for sunburn
A long-known method of providing first aid for sunburn is the use of kefir or yogurt to apply to the affected areas of the skin. It is recommended to apply fermented milk products carefully so as not to cause pain to the victim. After the previous applied layer has dried, you can apply another one. This technique can significantly reduce the pain from a burn and speed up its final healing.
Treating sunburn at home
Treatment of sunburn at home involves the use of various remedies. These include medicines, ointments, and traditional medicine recipes. Everything is determined by the severity of the burn and the general condition of the patient.
Sunburn: what to do at home?
First of all, at home you should cool the burned areas of the skin with special lotions and compresses. This must be done for at least six hours. You can use products from the arsenal of traditional medicine to prepare compresses, or they can be aqueous solutions of medications. Antiseptics such as furatsilin, dekasan, chlorhexidine are well suited for this. After the compress warms up, it should be replaced with a new, cold one.
Sunburn: what to apply at home?
Six hours after the victim receives a burn, it is allowed to use
antiseptic, water-soluble, wound-healing creams, sprays and foams. These include Bepanten, Panthenol, Sintomycin.
After a few days after the victim receives a burn, his skin begins to peel off and new skin surfaces are formed under it, quite vulnerable and tender, special lubricants can be used to speed up the healing process. These are fatty ointments, as well as oils and creams. They will provide the skin with additional protection and preserve it. Sea buckthorn and vaseline oils are very effective in such situations.
Lubricate the skin in case of sunburn, so as not to cause pain to the victim.
Home remedy for sunburn
A good medical remedy for eliminating the effects of sunburn is a painkiller drug. These include Analgin, Ibuprofen, Paracetamol and Tempalgin. It is also recommended to use Diazolin, Claritin or Citrine to relieve sunburn.
If there is severe inflammation, burning and itching, it is necessary to use antihistamines, such as Tavegil, Claritin, Suprastin.
Folk remedies for sunburn
Folk remedies for sunburn are the safest and at the same time very effective. Their biggest drawback is the fact that a lot of work is required to prepare them well.
In addition, the inconvenience may be associated with some unpleasant odor when using sour cream or other dairy products. There are no costs associated with the preparation of such products, so they are quite convenient when used to treat burns. In addition, there are almost completely no side effects from the use of traditional medicine.
Sour cream for sunburn
Sour cream for sunburn is an old, proven remedy. After pre-cooling the jar of sour cream in the refrigerator, you should apply sour cream to the affected areas of the body. Applying such a fermented milk mask cools the skin and soothes it. You can wash off this mass with cold water.
Sunburn oil
Coconut oil works well for sunburn. This natural moisturizer effectively helps damaged skin restore its natural elasticity, eliminates itching and blisters. Coconut oil has excellent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, helping to quickly and effectively restore the damaged epithelial layer.
Apply the oil to the skin in a thin layer. To better moisturize the skin, it is recommended to mix the oil with aloe vera juice. This will help soothe affected skin and moisturize it.
The oil and aloe juice are mixed until smooth. The butter should not be melted first, as this will only worsen its properties.
The use of sea buckthorn oil is effective against the effects of sunburn. Its astringent properties and ability to relieve inflammation play an important role in eliminating the consequences of burns. In addition, the oil prevents the spread of infections on the skin. The oil is used when necessary to treat sunburns with blisters and itching.
Soak a cotton swab with oil and apply to damaged areas of the skin. It is also possible to apply a compress to the blistered skin area. To do this, just moisten the fabric with sea buckthorn oil and place it on the skin. The bandage needs to be changed every two hours until the patient’s condition improves.
Aloe for sunburn
Aloe is used as a remedy for sunburn after the surface of the burn has been cooled. This is best done with clean running water; applying ice to the burned area is not recommended.
After this, you can use aloe. Juice is squeezed out of several fresh aloe leaves and applied to the affected area of the skin. Fixing the bandage at the application site is not required.
It is permissible to place a bandage only if an incised sheet is applied to the wound. This bandage should be changed twice a day until there is improvement in the victim’s condition.
If you don’t have this plant at hand, you can go to a pharmacy where aloe gel is on sale on a regular basis. You need to check the recipe for the gel offered at the pharmacy. The percentage of aloe in it should be 100%.
Kefir for sunburn
Kefir for sunburn is as popular as sour cream. It should be applied to the affected area of the skin in a thin layer; after the previous layer has dried, the next one can be applied. Application is done using a cotton swab. Kefir has no contraindications for use and is completely harmless to the patient. It is better to use cold kefir if we are talking about applying it immediately after the victim receives a burn. This kefir will cool the skin and moisturize it.
Tomatoes for sunburn
Tomatoes contain antioxidants that can relieve skin redness after burns and pain. If you need to get rid of unpleasant sensations, you just need to prepare tomato puree and apply it to the skin.
To prepare the puree, you only need to mince a few fresh tomatoes. After this, the resulting composition is placed on a gauze bandage and placed on the skin at the burn site. Hold for half an hour, it is best to remain still. Repeat the procedure several times throughout the day. As a rule, after three days the pain goes away and the problem is gradually eliminated.
Vodka for sunburn
Ordinary vodka is good for sunburn. Immediately after receiving them, it is recommended to take a shower and then gently rub vodka over your entire body. By morning, the redness completely disappears and turns into a very ordinary tan.
Vodka for burns only helps in cases where the injury is not too severe. In this case, it is best not to rub, but to apply vodka with a cotton swab. At the same time, the burn is well cooled. For severe burns, vodka will only further irritate the skin, so it should not be used.
Soda for sunburn
Baking soda can be used as a remedy for sunburn if used as a cosmetic product. In addition, you can take baths with soda, adding it to warm water in the amount of several tablespoons.
If you want instant relief from a sunburn, you need to mix baking soda with water and apply the resulting mixture to problem areas and areas of skin affected by burns. To speed up this process, you need to mix baking soda with vinegar and apply the mixture to the burn blisters before going to bed.
Vinegar for sunburn
Apple cider vinegar will help relieve the effects of sunburn. To do this, you need to mix water with the bite in a ratio of four to one. The burn will go away quickly and the skin will not even peel or hurt.
For burns, taking a warm bath with two glasses of apple bite added to the water will help. High-quality disinfection of the skin is ensured, it is cooled and soothed. You can also wrap yourself in a sheet that has been soaked in a vinegar solution of the above proportion. If the burn is not very severe, you can limit yourself to applying a towel to it up to three times a day.
Chamomile for sunburn
Chamomile is good for sunburn. To do this, add a few drops of chamomile to a container of cold water. Then soak a towel in water with chamomile and wring it out, then apply it to the affected area of skin with blisters. Repeat the procedure until the itching and redness are eliminated.
In addition, the victim’s condition can be alleviated by applying pre-cooled chamomile tea bags to the burn.
Tea for sunburn
This recipe for treating burns using tea is recommended. Brew one glass of strong tea, then steep and cool. Moisten a napkin in the brewed tea, then apply it to the affected area of the skin. The compress stays for half an hour. If such a need arises, you can repeat the procedure up to three times a day.
Sunburn Egg
For a mild burn, it is enough to apply egg white to the treated skin. A thin layer will form and will come off on its own.
If the burn is more severe, you need to use the white and yolk. Having previously beaten the egg, pour it onto the surface of the burn. The procedure is performed until the victim feels relief.
Sunburn occurs as a result of exposure to ultraviolet rays, invisible to the eye and the most dangerous of the solar spectrum.
Such burns come in varying degrees - from slight redness and slight swelling to the formation of multiple and extensive blisters filled with yellowish transparent contents, and subsequent “peeling” of the skin (its upper layer - the epidermis). With minor burns, there may be a feeling that the skin is “tightening”, dryness and itching in the affected area, pain when touched, and chills. With severe sunburn, the pain is great, and the general condition also suffers. Usually these symptoms appear on those parts of the body that are not protected by clothing.
In the initial stage of sunburn, the skin begins to turn red 2-6 hours after exposure to the sun, and irritation appears. The peak manifestation of burn symptoms occurs after 12-24 hours.
What it is?
Strong ultraviolet radiation can damage the surface of the skin and eyes. The degree of damage can range from mild to severe and lead to serious consequences.
Areas of the body most susceptible to burns:
- forearms;
- face;
- back at the top;
- chest area;
- shoulder;
- leg.
The risk of injury depends on a large number of factors. Some people don’t get sunburned at all, while others have to be wary of hot days. What is the reason?
Symptoms and severity depend on:
- places - the body and face have skin of different structure and susceptibility;
- type;
- individual sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation;
- skin color (dark-skinned people tolerate the sun more easily);
- course treatment with drugs of a certain group;
- the presence of dermatological diseases and problems (moles, acne, etc.);
- prevention with protective creams, milk and other means.
People spend a lot of time under the sun throughout their lives, which allows them to study their reaction to it.
Symptoms of damage:
- swelling;
- redness;
- loss of moisture;
- susceptible to injury;
- pain, itching;
- increased sensitivity.
After 4-7 days everything will go away, but peeling will appear.
Severity
The severity of a sunburn is determined by the depth and severity of damage to the surface layers of the skin. The deeper and more severely it is damaged, the more serious the skin burn. Also, do not forget that the severity of symptoms always depends on the area of the burn.
The first life-saving measures for the skin and body should be started immediately for any degree of burn, especially since the degree of skin damage cannot be initially determined.
Degree of sunburn | Symptoms |
First | Redness of the skin and a feeling of discomfort in the burned areas. It is usually not dangerous and does not require drug treatment. - |
Second | The same symptoms, accompanied by the formation of miliary papules and blisters. Very often, with such a burn, the temperature rises, chills and dehydration appear. Medical attention and treatment with ointments is required. |
Third and fourth | Grades 3 and 4 are rare because this severity of injury is more typical of thermal or chemical injuries. Indeed, it is difficult to imagine a person who is under the scorching sun for more than 10 hours of his own free will. A 4th degree burn involves severe skin damage, is accompanied by severe dehydration, depression of the heart and kidneys, and can lead to death. |
Depending on the extent and size of the skin lesion, the condition can be slightly painful or extremely severe. The risk of sunburn is higher if you have light hair and skin. Keep in mind that members of the same family vary greatly in their tolerance to sunlight. Just because your brother or sister tans quickly without getting burned doesn't mean you can do the same.
Why is sunburn dangerous?
Mild sunburns pass without serious consequences, severe sunburns lead to the formation of long-term non-healing skin defects: erosions and ulcers. But even repeated mild sunburns are unsafe for humans and can lead to skin damage (sunburn, photodermatoses, malignant neoplasms) of varying severity.
Exposure to direct sunlight stimulates the appearance of various benign pigmented neoplasms on the skin, primarily nevi and lentigines (birthmarks).
Almost every person has nevi. They can be located in different parts of the body and appear at different periods of life. Their presence requires regular monitoring by a dermato-oncologist, since over time they can transform into malignant skin tumors (melanoma), especially if a person’s lifestyle and profession involve prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, exposure to ionizing radiation and chemicals, which are carcinogens. Lentigines often appear at an older age.
Photodermatoses are skin diseases that occur under exposure to the sun. These include solar urticaria, phototoxic reactions, polymorphic solar dermatitis, benign summer solar dermatitis, lupus erythematosus and other diseases.
In addition to all of the above, sunburn received at an early age increases the risk of developing skin cancer in the future. In addition, repeated excessive ultraviolet exposure can lead to dryness and premature aging of the skin, increasing the risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration - one of the main causes of blindness.
How long does it usually take for it to go away?
The speed at which the skin recovers from a sunburn depends mainly on its severity. In the first degree of severity, sunburn usually goes away within 2 to 3 days. With a moderate (average) degree, the skin can recover in 3 to 7 days. The longest recovery time may occur in severe cases. Serious sunburns, on average, resolve in 7 to 12 days without scarring on the skin.
The following factors can affect how long it takes for your skin to recover from a sunburn:
- severity of sunburn;
- timely use of medications;
- correct use of medications;
- area of skin damage;
- the presence of additional skin diseases;
- level of immunity;
- the presence of purulent complications;
- patient's age;
- localization of sunburn on the body.
The rate at which the skin heals from sunburn also depends on many other additional factors (for example, the age of the patient, the area of damage, the location of the sunburn on the body, etc.).
What to do?
Even while in the sun, you may feel the first signs of discomfort - the skin begins to “burn” slightly, and the burn site becomes pink. Don't be fooled by the fact that it "lays on a tan." If you continue to sunbathe or be in the sun for any other reason, you will not be able to avoid serious troubles.
When the first symptoms of sunburn appear, you should:
- Immediately take cover in the shade. If the skin is already damaged, then even in clothes (when working in the country), the open sun will be a source of increased pain;
- Since the top layer of skin has lost a lot of moisture, the most correct action is to moisturize. This could be a damp towel or a cool shower. If you have the opportunity to take a bath, it is advisable to add baking soda or starch to it;
- The water temperature when moisturizing should be close to body temperature; a sudden change can cause additional damage to the skin;
- Moisturizing can be done as often as possible, and in between, lubricate the burned areas with aloe juice.
Sunburn can cause severe damage to the skin; in this case, you should not self-medicate, but immediately seek qualified medical help.
First aid
First aid for sunburn should be provided immediately, because in the first minutes after direct and/or prolonged exposure to sunlight, the degree of damage cannot be determined. What does first aid mean for a sunburn?
1) You must immediately take shelter from the sun's rays. The best option would be a cool room, but as a last resort, the shade of a tree or an outdoor canopy will do.
2) Assess your own condition and you need to do this adequately. If you feel slight dizziness, nausea, chills and headache, then it is advisable to call an ambulance - most likely, you have suffered a serious sunburn and it is complicated by heatstroke.
3) In the case of a normal general condition, you need to help the body and skin cope with:
- take a cool shower (not cold!);
- in case of a local burn, you can take cool water into a basin and lower the damaged part of the body into it (this method is especially convenient for burns of the extremities);
- be sure to drink a lot - this will prevent the development of dehydration, but keep in mind that the water should not be ice-cold;
- if intense pain is present, then the use of an anesthetic drug is allowed - this could be, for example, ibuprofen, analgin or baralgin.
All other actions are classified as therapeutic. But even if the above measures brought relief and the condition returned to normal/stabilized, you should not go outside in direct sunlight the next day. The fact is that the skin is under stress and needs to recover.
What should you not do when you are sunburned?
If you do not know the contraindications for the condition in question, then solving the problem yourself can lead to the fact that only qualified doctors can alleviate the patient’s condition.
What not to do if you have sunburn:
- Rub the burned skin with pieces of ice. This brings instant relief, but the consequences can be really terrible - the damaged epithelium will begin to die, which leads to inflammatory processes and a long period of rehabilitation. By the way, it is likely that even after treatment there will be cosmetic defects on the skin.
- Do not wash damaged areas of the skin with alkaline soap or use a scrub - such an effect on thin skin leads to the development of inflammatory processes.
- Under no circumstances should sunburn be wiped with alcohol or any alcohol-containing products - this causes severe dehydration, and the body already suffers from dehydration.
- If the sunburn occurs in an acute form, then it should not be treated with medical Vaseline or badger/lamb/pork fat. The fact is that these products will clog the pores and the skin will not be able to breathe.
- It is also highly not recommended to pierce blisters or papules on your own in areas of sunburn - with a 98% probability, a secondary infection will develop at the site of skin damage.
- In the acute period of the condition in question, you should not drink tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages - they increase dehydration of the body.
How to treat sunburn at home?
If you find yourself with a sunburn, you need to take some steps to relieve pain when touching the skin, as well as prepare the skin for further treatment. So... First aid for a sunburn consists of cooling and moisturizing the damaged areas of the body, as well as taking products designed to relieve pain.
1) Cooling
As with any burn, with a sunburn, the affected area of skin needs to be cooled. Compresses and lotions with ordinary clean cold water are perfect for this. You can use aloe juice, chilled black tea with ice cubes, cucumber and tomato juices. It will also be useful to treat burns with antiseptic lotions, for example: furatsilin, chlorhexidine, a weak solution of potassium permanganate. The napkin for compresses must be moistened as it heats up.
2) Moisturizing and further treatment of the skin
Cooled skin must be moisturized, otherwise immediately after cooling the skin will dry out and become even more inflamed. After-sun products or medicinal sprays against sunburn will do the job perfectly. “Grandma’s medicines” will also help - kefir, sour cream, milk, egg white. The proteins contained in these products prevent moisture loss and restore the skin.
To prevent skin dehydration, doctors also recommend creams based on aloe vera, chamomile extracts, calendula and vitamin E: these components help the skin absorb moisture and retain it for a long time.
To treat a burn, doctors recommend using aerosols for external use containing dexpanthenol, which has a healing and anti-inflammatory effect. This component is included in the European quality medicine - “Panthenolspray” aerosol for external use. The drug has an anti-inflammatory effect, improves tissue regeneration, and is quickly absorbed (absorbed) by the skin. There are no age restrictions, individual intolerance is possible, use in children should be done under adult supervision.
If the general condition is disturbed and there is chills, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Paracetamol, Ibuprofen) are prescribed. You can also take aspirin, a drug from the salicylates group.
3) Pain relief
Aspirin, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen will help relieve pain, and antihistamines will help reduce burning and itching. In addition, aspirin and ibuprofen prevent the formation of toxic substances that cause the skin to become red and swollen.
An ordinary cool bath will also help reduce pain and fever. These symptoms of burning are associated with active blood flow, which in turn is caused by severe inflammation; Accordingly, cold water will constrict the blood vessels and make your condition a little easier. Just don’t rush to get into the shower: strong jets of water again cause microtrauma and unnecessary pain.
What to apply to the skin for sunburn: ointments, creams, sprays
There are many pharmaceutical products to eliminate the consequences of unsuccessful tanning. They all have different properties, differ in composition and duration of action and, of course, in price.
Here are the most effective ones:
Dexpanthenol
Panthenol (spray for sunburn 160 rubles, cream 200 rubles), Bepanten (340 rubles), D-Panthenol (170-250 rubles), Dexpanthenol (90 rubles) Pantoderm (170 rubles). Panthenol Vialine after sunbathing (milk price 280 rubles), it contains, in addition to panthenol, which restores damaged skin, vitamin F (linoleic and linolenic fatty acids), softening the skin, allantoin - wound healing effect and dipotassium glycyrrhizinate, which has wound healing, anti-inflammatory and protective effect. Promotes the formation of a new skin layer and its regeneration. Application: 2-4 times a day on damaged skin until recovery. If there are infected areas, pre-treat with an antiseptic |
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Libyan aerosol
Libyan - combination drug - 210 rubles. The composition includes linetol, fish oil, lavender oil, sunflower oil, a-tocopherol acetate, anesthesin, cyminal, a mixture of freons. It accelerates metabolic reactions, has an antiseptic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. Use: Spray once onto damaged skin during the day until recovery |
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Elovera ointment
Elovera - aloe extract and vitamin E. Improves cellular metabolism, tissue trophism, activates skin regeneration and prevents the development of peroxide reactions. Contraindicated in children under 18 years of age. Aloe Barbados, which is part of the composition, is a biogenic stimulant that improves trophism and tissue regeneration. Vitamin E is an antioxidant, fat-soluble vitamin. Application: 2-4 times a day, apply a thin layer to the affected areas until recovery |
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Carotoline solution, extract (betacarotene)
Carotolin regulates cellular metabolism and neutralizes the damaging effects of free radicals. Betacarotene protects cells from damage, has antioxidant properties, and protects the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays. Application: 1-2 times a day on sterile napkins, and then applied to damaged skin until recovery |
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Vinyl balm (polyvinyl butyl ether)
Vinylin (price 50 g 200 rubles, 100 g 300 rubles). It has an anti-inflammatory and bacteriostatic effect, accelerates the regeneration and epithelization of wounds. Used as an antiseptic - disinfectant. Apply: 2-4 times a day in a thin layer directly to the affected areas or on sterile wipes until recovery |
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Zinc Ointment (Zinc Oxide), Desitin, Calamine Lotion
Desitin (200-230 rubles), Calamine (780 rubles), zinc paste 40 rubles, ointment 30 rubles. Prevents infection of damaged skin, has a drying, slightly astringent effect, therefore it is used as a protective and anti-inflammatory agent for minor burns. Use: 2-3 times a day on damaged skin until recovery |
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Sea buckthorn oil
Sea buckthorn oil altaivitamins (100 ml 250-350 rubles), Sea buckthorn oil cosmetic 40 rubles. It has an antibacterial effect, activates reparative processes and promotes healing. It has a general strengthening effect, cytoprotective, antioxidant. Use: 2-4 times a day on sterile wipes until recovery |
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Olazol aerosol (combined drug)
Olazol (price 170-200 rubles) Contains: boric acid, benzocaine, chloramphenicol, sea buckthorn oil. It has a bacteriostatic effect, stimulates regeneration and promotes skin healing. Apply: before use, the can of anti-burn spray should be shaken well, sprayed 1-4 times a day on damaged skin until recovery |
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Solcoseryl gel and ointment (biological preparation)
Solcoseryl (160-200 rubles). Composition: deproteinized dialysate from the blood of dairy calves. Stimulates collagen formation, accelerates the growth of granulation tissue. Gel: 2-3 times a day on cleansed skin until tissue granulation; Ointment: 1-2 times a day on healing burns until complete healing |
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Psilo-balm (diphenhydramine)
Psilo-balm (160-200 rubles), Reduces hyperemia, pain and itching, reduces swelling, reduces increased capillary permeability, has a local analgesic effect, and has a pleasant cooling effect. The gel base leaves no residue and protects the skin. Apply the gel: 3-4 times a day to the affected surface until the skin heals. It helps a lot if your skin itches after being in the sun. |
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Actovegin ointment (biological preparation)
Actovegin ointment 90-120 rubles, cream 110-140 rubles, gel 150-180 rubles). Stimulates skin regeneration and improves local blood supply. At the beginning of use, slight pain may be felt, which then passes. Use: Twice a day on healing burns, duration of use 10-12 days |
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Flucinolone - glucocorticosteroids (hormonal ointment)
Sinaflan (price 40 rubles) Flucinar gel and ointment 200 rubles. Reduces inflammatory and allergic reactions, has an antipruritic effect. Since this is a hormonal drug, its use is possible only as prescribed by a doctor, for a short course, with gradual withdrawal of the drug. Use: 2-4 times a day on disinfected skin areas or on dressings for no more than 5 days. |
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Floceta gel
Floceta (gel price 150-200 rubles, spray 250-300 rubles), containing calendula, chamomile extract, aluminum acetotartrate. Eliminates itching and redness of the skin, has a bactericidal and wound-healing effect, cools the skin. Use: 2-3 times a day |
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Eplan
Eplan (price 150 rubles). The drug has a regenerating, softening, wound-healing, antibacterial, analgesic, and protective effect. Accelerates the healing of wounds and thermal burns, made on the basis of polyoxy compounds and lanthanum salts. Application: lubricate the affected area of the burn as it absorbs and dries several times a day. |
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Radevit
Radevit (price 320 rubles) Composition: ergocalciferol, retinol palmitate, α-tocopherol acetate. Improves the protective function of the skin, has antipruritic, reparative, softening effects. Application: apply a thin layer 2 times a day. |
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Fenistil
Fenistil gel (250 rubles), the active ingredient Dimetinden, is an antihistamine, has antipruritic, antiallergic, and analgesic effects. The effect of the gel occurs a few minutes after application to the skin. Apply 2-4 times a day. |
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Sudocrem
Sudocrem has a complex composition: lanolin, synthetic wax, citric acid, lavender oil, liquid paraffin, benzyl cinnamate, benzyl benzoate, zinc oxide, benzyl alcohol, linalyl acetate, propylene glycol, butylated hydroxyanisole. It is used on burns as a wound-healing, anesthetic, and emollient. |
If you choose the form of the product, then, according to doctors, sprays are the most effective - they are easier to apply and distribute, they have a more airy structure. It is also recommended to combine medications, depending on the size and severity of the burns received. For more severe burns on the back, you can apply Amprovisol spray, but Panthenol ointment is more suitable for the face.
Folk remedies for sunburn
Traditional methods of treatment have less therapeutic effectiveness compared to medications. Therefore, they should not be used as the main method of treatment, but only in combination with drug therapy. Before using such methods, you should always consult with your doctor and do not make decisions on your own.
The following traditional treatment methods can be used to treat sunburn:
- Oak bark compresses. Take three tablespoons of well-dried oak bark and place in one glass of water. Then boil and filter. The resulting decoction must be applied to burnt skin in the form of cold compresses 3 to 4 times a day (each time for an hour with breaks of 10 minutes). Oak bark reduces inflammatory reactions, kills harmful microbes and has an astringent effect.
- Aloe juice. For sunburn, you can use both pure aloe juice and its aqueous solution (1:1 dilution). Aloe juice is applied to damaged skin in its pure form without the use of napkins or gauze, that is, not in the form of compresses. It is recommended to carry out this procedure 1 – 3 times a day. Aloe juice has anti-inflammatory and healing effects on burned skin.
- Compresses made from raw potatoes. Take a few pieces of raw potatoes (along with the skin), rinse and finely grate them. Make compresses from the resulting potato porridge. These compresses can be applied to areas of the skin where sunburn has formed for 20–40 minutes, 3–4 times a day. Compresses made from raw potatoes have anti-inflammatory and trophic (nutritional) healing effects.
- Calendula compresses. Take 1 tablespoon of dried calendula flowers and place in one glass of boiling water. Leave for 1 – 2 hours, then strain. Wait until this tincture has cooled and make a medicinal compress from it. Calendula compresses can be applied to burnt skin for 20–30 minutes, 3–4 times a day. Calendula flowers contain various anti-inflammatory and bactericidal (germ-killing) substances, which explains the reduction in swelling and redness of the skin when used.
- Plantain compresses. Take 1 - 2 tablespoons of dry plantain leaves and place in one glass of boiling water. Let the tincture steep for 30 – 60 minutes. Then cool and filter it. Make compresses from the tincture of plantain leaves, which should be mixed on the burned areas of the body 2 - 3 times a day and left for 20 - 30 minutes. These compresses have an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic (constrict blood vessels) and healing effect.
You should know that when treating a sunburn, you should absolutely not use vegetable or butter, sour cream, Vaseline and other products that contain a lot of fat. These fats, when the above mentioned products are spread on the skin, smoothly distributed over its surface, form a thermal insulating film on it, which prevents the removal of excess heat from skin damaged by sunburn. This inhibits its normal healing and also increases discomfort at the site of injury.
Prevention
To protect your skin from sunburn, you should use special creams or lotions with a sun protection factor against ultraviolet rays type A and B, the value of which can vary from five to fifty. As a rule, such products contain vitamin E, which reduces the skin's sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation.
When choosing a sunscreen, you need to focus on the characteristics of your skin. Fair skin is very sensitive to the sun, which causes it to burn quickly, so it requires the use of products with a high sun protection factor (SPF of at least 70). In the future, when the skin has received a persistent tan, the level of protection can be reduced to twenty (SPF 20). Those who do not experience problems staying in the open sun for a long time can use products with a protection level of six to fifteen (SPF from 6 to 15).
The right product should be applied before going outside, not on the beach. When applying, special attention should be paid to protruding parts of the body (nose, chest, cheekbones, shoulders). The cream must be applied in an even thin layer, without rubbing into the skin. Even if the product indicates that it is waterproof, after swimming in a pond, it must be reapplied, since after using the towel the layer of protective film is sharply reduced.
Even if your product contains a high level of protection, it is still recommended to be in the open sun only in the morning and evening. In addition, you should not forget about sunglasses, they will protect the delicate and thin skin around the eyes, as well as the retina itself.