How To Get Rid of Sunburn - Sunburn Home Treatment

Definition

Sunburn is caused to skin when it is burned by exposure to the sun or other ultraviolet light. It is a burn to living tissue such as skin or leaves produced by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation, commonly from the sun's rays. A similar burn can be produced by overexposure to other sources of ultraviolet such as from tanning lamps, or occupationally, such as from welding arcs. Although, Exposure to solar radiations has the beneficial effect of stimulating the coetaneous synthesis of vitamin D and providing radiant warmth. Unfortunately, when the skin is subjected to excessive radiation in the ultraviolet range deleterious effects may occur. The most common is acute sunburn or solar erythema. Sunburn doesn't just happen in hot weather - reflection of light off the snow can also cause sunburn. Although a breeze, cloudy sky or swimming may make you feel cooler, the sunlight can still get through to damage your skin.

Causes

1. Having less pigment in your skin provides less protection from damaging ultra violet radiation. If you have blond or red hair, light-colored eyes, and you freckle or sunburn easily, you're much more likely to develop skin cancer than a person with darker features is.
2. Travel to the southern United States, regions close to the equator, and places at high altitudes all offer the unwary visitor an opportunity to be injured by sunburn.
3. Sunburn is caused by excessive exposure to the sun or other ultraviolet light source. Sunburn occurs because the body is unable to make enough melanin to protect the skin. Sunburn may occur in less than 15 minutes of sun exposure.
4. Consumption of birth control pills may be one of the reasons.
5. Antibacterial agents used in soaps.

Sunburn Symptoms

1. In starting the skin turns red after the exposure and feels irritated. The peak effects are noted at 12 to 24 hours.
2. In severe cases patients may feel severe skin burning and blistering. May be massive fluid loss, electrolyte or infection.
3. The skin becomes warm and it looks like the patient is having high temperature.
4. After hours to day later the blisters develop on the body.
5. The skin may swallow after the exposure to sun.
6. The patient may feel fever and chill.
7. The sunburn case may have pain and inflammation allover the body which has come in contact of sun light or ultraviolet rays.

Treatment

1. In starting Immediate self-care is aimed at stopping the UV radiation. For this first get out of the sun, cover exposed skin or get out of the tanning bed.
2. In starting Medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen are useful.
3. For mild sunburn, cool compresses with equal parts of milk and water may suffice. You may also use cold compresses with Burow solution.
4. Severe sunburn requires admission to a burn unit for parenteral fluid replacement, pain control, and prophylaxis against infection.
5. Applying calamine or pramoxine lotion 3 times daily to affected areas may help.
6. Applying grated potato on the sunburn area will helps.
7. Rub freshly cut cucumber slices on the sunburn area.

Related Topic

• Home remedies for sunburn