Sometimes we forget to apply SPF to our skin or fall asleep in a lawn chair and we know the consequences:sunburnt skin. Sunburn is skin damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun. It's red, sore skin that feels warm to the touch. It usually appears within a few hours of too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from sunshine or artificial sources, such as sun lamps. Home remedies can usually provide relief from a sunburn, but it can take days for the sunburn to go away.
Symptoms of sunburn:
- Changes in skin color, such as pink or redness
- Swelling
- Skin that feels warm or warm
- Pain and tenderness
- Small fluid-filled blisters that can break
- Headache, fever, nausea and fatigue, if the sunburn is severe
- Eyes that feel sore
Heal sunburnt skin
You need to give your skin time to heal from a sunburn. Our body needs time to replace damaged skin. You can help your skin in the healing process by following these tips.
- Cool down the affected area of your skin - use cool, moist compresses or an ice pack wrapped in a towel. You can take a cool bath or shower to cool off your sunburned skin. This will help draw heat from the skin and reduce redness.
- Apply a light moisturizer with healing ingredients (don't apply if your skin is blistered!)
- Rest – when you sleep, your body makes certain cytokines that help your body manage inflammation. This disruption can negatively affect your body's ability to heal itself.
- Avoid additional sun exposure. Exposure from a sunburn to more UV rays can further damage your skin. If you must go outside, try to cover the burn area with clothing and wear sunscreen.
- Stay hydrated. Sunburn pulls moisture away from your skin.
Prevention is the key
Remember to protect your skin every day and especially when you plan to enjoy some more sun. Apply a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 every day to all parts of the body that are exposed to the sun. If you go outside, apply SPF 15 to 20 minutes before going outside. Don't forget to reapply your SPF every 2-3 hours, especially if you're outside, sweating or swimming.
