Author:
Louise Ward
Date Of Creation:
5 February 2021
Update Date:
1 July 2024
Content
Sunburn is a common phenomenon, affecting about 42 percent of the population each year. Although popular, it carries an increased risk of skin cancer when you get sunburned more than five times in your lifetime. Your skin burns from exposure to UVA and UVB rays from the sun without being protected by clothing or sunscreen. Even though you need about twenty minutes of sun exposure a day to produce enough vitamin D for your body, more than that will increase your risk of sunburn. The scalp is the area where you often forget to apply sunscreen before enjoying some time in the sun or at the beach. Just a cap or a wide-brimmed hat is simply enough to keep your scalp from getting sunburned.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Treating Sunburns at Home
Sprinkle warm or cool water on your scalp. While warm water may be uncomfortable, the effect of hot water on your damaged scalp will be much more annoying. Switching to cool water when washing your hair will make your sunburned skin much more comfortable.- You can also place a washcloth soaked in cold water on your head during the shower to reduce discomfort.
Avoid using sulphate shampoos. Sunburned oily skin needs a lot of moisture to heal. Sulfate is the salt found in many shampoos, drying the scalp, causing additional damage. Check the ingredients on your shampoo label and avoid sulfates while your scalp is recovering.- In addition, you should also try shampoo and conditioner containing 18-MEA, which provides moisture to the damaged scalp.
- Avoid using conditioner that contains dimethicone, a form of silicon that can clog pores and retain heat on your scalp, causing additional damage and discomfort.
Skip the drying and straightening step. Styling tools that use heat like hair dryers or straighteners can cause unnecessary discomfort when your oily skin is burned. The heat from the device also causes your scalp to dry and further damage, so you should avoid using them for about a week until the sunburn heals.- Most styling products include chemicals that can irritate a sunburned scalp. Try to minimize your use of hair care products in the process.
Use an ice pack. This is more difficult to apply to people with long and thick hair, but placing an ice pack on the scalp helps to cool the skin and reduce discomfort.
- Using cold skim milk to soak a compress is a popular home treatment that some doctors advocate. The protein in milk can relieve discomfort while the cold alleviates pain. However, after that you will probably want to quickly wash your hair.
Moisten the skin around the burn. Moisturizers also help cool and soothe your sore scalp. Moisturizer with aloe vera gel or synthetic cortisol will help relieve pain. Coconut oil is also a safe moisturizer that helps soothe sunburns. Choose products fortified with vitamins E and C, substances that help limit sunburn damage to your scalp.
- You may find it easier to let coconut oil seep through your hair into your scalp, however, since it is oily it will make your hair shiny.
- Skip skin care products that contain lidocaine or benzocaine. They are often allergenic and you can find similar pain relief effects in other moisturizers.
Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water is one way to keep your skin moisturized. Make sure you stay hydrated while the sunburn recovers by drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day.
- The color of your urine is the simplest way to determine if your body is really hydrated. The urine should be clear or light yellow.
Take a prescription pain reliever. Prescription pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen also help relieve pain from sunburn. Take as directed and do not exceed the recommended daily dosage.
- If your child has a sunburn, aspirin-containing products should not be given to them due to the potential risk of a potentially life-threatening illness called Reye's syndrome.
Avoid excessive sun exposure. You should shield the sunburned scalp from the sun as it heals. You can wear a cap during this period, however choose something spacious that won't keep heat on your scalp or put pressure on the sunburn.
Leave the blister alone. If your burn is so severe that it forms blisters, don't break them. Breaking up sunburn blisters is more likely to cause skin infections and lead to scarring. Keep your scalp dry and let the blisters heal without applying moisturizing products directly to them. advertisement
Method 2 of 2: Realize When to See a Doctor
Notice if you feel lightheaded or dizzy. While it's unlikely to happen if you only get a sunburn on your scalp, many complications can arise from a sunburn, especially if being out in the sun leads to heat exhaustion. If you feel lethargic or have signs of dizziness immediately after being out in the sun, stay in a cool, shady place and watch out for signs of needing to see your doctor. Symptoms include:
- Increased pulse or breathing
- Extremely thirsty
- Do not urinate
- Eyes drooped
- The skin is cold and wet
Check your body temperature. A high fever is another sign of heat exhaustion and need medical help. Seek immediate treatment if you have a fever up to 40 ° C (104 ° F).
Keep track of your hydration. You may also feel nauseous right after the harsh sun. If nausea and vomiting make it impossible to stay hydrated, see a doctor, who can perform intravenous fluids to help prevent dehydration. advertisement
Advice
- Brushing your hair for the first few days will experience a headache. Be more gentle with it.
- A hat is always a good choice if you plan to stay out in the sun for a long time.
- There are many sprays on the market that help protect against the sun on your scalp where conventional sun protection products cannot reach.
- Check if any of your medications are sensitive to the sun. It can increase your risk of sunburn.
- Don't go out in the sun during peak hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Warning
- If your sunburn blisters, then you have a second degree sunburn, and you will want the doctor to examine the burn.
