Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 5: How to Reduce Pain and Discomfort
• Method 2 of 5: How to prevent recurring burns and complications
• Method 3 of 5: When to Seek Medical Help
• Method 4 of 5: How to Treat Blisters
• Method 5 of 5: Folk remedies
• Tips
• Warnings

The sun, tanning beds, or any other source of ultraviolet radiation can cause skin burns or redness and soreness. It is better to prevent a burn than to treat it, because the skin will be permanently damaged. But if you do get burned, there are ways to speed up healing, prevent infection, and reduce pain.

Steps

Method 1 of 5: How to Reduce Pain and Discomfort

1. 1 Take a cool bath or shower. Take a cool bath (the water should be lukewarm, but not so cold that your teeth chatter) and soak in it for 10-20 minutes. If you decide to take a shower, do not use vigorous force to avoid further irritation of the skin. Dry naturally or blot gently with a towel to avoid damaging your skin.
   • Do not use soap, shower gel, or other detergents. Such hygiene products irritate the skin and may even worsen the condition of the burn.
   • If blisters appear on the skin, it is preferable to take a bath instead of a shower. Blisters can burst under the pressure of shower water.
2. 2 Apply a cold compress to your skin. Dampen a cloth with cold water and apply to the damaged area for 20-30 minutes. Re-wet the cloth with water as needed.
3. 3 Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. The most common drugs are ibuprofen and aspirin. They can help reduce inflammation around the burn and relieve pain, but not in all cases.
   • Do not give aspirin to children. Instead, choose a drug specifically made for children, such as paracetamol in pediatric dosage. Ibuprofen for children can relieve inflammation.
4. 4 Apply ointment to the wound. Pharmacies also sell sprays that soothe red and irritated skin. These drugs usually include benzocaine, lidocaine, or pramoxine, and they cause mild numbness and dull pain. However, these substances can cause allergies, so it is best to first test the effect of the product on a healthy skin area to see if it is itchy or red.
   • Do not use these products on the skin of children under the age of two without a doctor's recommendation. Sprays containing methyl salicylate or trolamine acetate are dangerous for children under 12 years old, and capsaicin under 18 years old (this drug should also not be taken by people with a chili allergy).
5. 5 Wear loose cotton clothing over the burn. Baggy T-shirts and loose light trousers are best for the recovery period.If you cannot dress like this, at least choose cotton clothes (this material allows the skin to breathe) and do not tighten or button them if possible.
   • Wool and some synthetic fabrics can cause irritation due to prickly lint or heat that the fabric does not release.
6. 6 Use a cortisone cream. The cream contains steroids that can reduce inflammation, although they have not been shown to be very effective in treating burns. If you do decide to give it a try, look for a low steroid cream that you can buy over the counter. Hydrocortisone or something similar will do.
   • Do not apply cortisone cream to small children's skin or face. If you are not sure how to use it, check with your pharmacist at your pharmacy.
   • In some countries, these products are sold by prescription only.

Method 2 of 5: How to prevent recurring burns and complications

1. 1 Try to spend as little time in the sun as possible. Ideally, you should be in the shade or cover your burns with clothing if you need to go out into the sun.
2. 2 Apply sunscreen. You should use a product with a filter of at least SPF 30. Reapply it or every hour, or if the cream has been washed off with sweat or water. Follow the directions on the package.
3. 3 Drink plenty of water. Sunburn can cause dehydration, so it's important to balance this with plenty of fluids. For the duration of treatment, it is recommended to drink 8-10 glasses of water a day (in a glass of 240 milliliters).
4. 4 When your skin begins to heal, apply a non-scented moisturizer. Once the blisters have healed or the redness has subsided, you can start applying a moisturizer to your skin. Apply generous amounts of unscented cream to affected areas for several days or weeks to prevent irritation and peeling of the skin.

Method 3 of 5: When to Seek Medical Help

1. 1 If the burn is severe, call an ambulance. Call the ambulance number 03 if you or your friend have the following symptoms:
   • weakness that prevents you from standing;
   • confusion and inability to think clearly;
   • loss of consciousness.
2. 2 Call your doctor if you have symptoms of sunstroke or dehydration. If you experience any of the following symptoms after exposure to the sun, seek medical attention. If your symptoms get worse, it's best to call an ambulance rather than wait for a doctor to come to you.
   • weakness;
   • dizziness or lightheadedness;
   • headache or pain that pain relievers cannot relieve;
   • rapid heart rate or breathing;
   • intense thirst, puffy eyes, difficulty urinating;
   • pale, clammy, or cold skin;
   • nausea, fever, chills, or rash;
   • eye pain and photophobia;
   • large, painful blisters (especially if they are more than 1 centimeter);
   • nausea or diarrhea.
3. 3 Watch for signs of infection. If you have any of the following symptoms, especially around the blister, there may be an infection on your skin. In this case, it is important to see a doctor.
   • severe pain, swelling, redness, or warmth in the burn area;
   • red stripes that diverge to the sides of the burn;
   • accumulation of pus in the burn;
   • swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin;
   • heat.
4. 4 For a third-degree burn, call an ambulance. Third-degree sunburns are rare, but they cannot be ruled out. If the skin is covered with a black crust, seems stringy, has changed color to white or dark brown, or there is a swelling on the skin, call an ambulance immediately. Position the affected area above the level of your heart while you wait, and slide your clothing off the burn to keep it dry, but do not undress.

Method 4 of 5: How to Treat Blisters

1. 1 Get medical attention. See a doctor right away if you develop sun blisters on your skin.This is a sign of a severe burn and should be treated with a doctor's guidance as it can develop an infection. While you wait for your appointment, or if your doctor does not prescribe any specific treatment, follow the guidelines below.
2. 2 Don't touch blisters. If you have a severe burn, blisters may form on your skin. Do not try to puncture them, rub or scratch them. If you pierce the bladder, you can introduce an infection there, and a scar will remain at the site of the bladder.
   • If you are unable to move without damaging the blisters, ask your doctor to pierce them in a clean, sterile area.
3. 3 Cover the blisters. Wash your hands with soap and water, then apply a bandage with clean hands. Small blisters can be covered with adhesive tape, and large ones with gauze or sterile bandage (you can fix them with a tape). Change the dressing daily until the blister heals.
4. 4 Try antibiotic ointment for signs of infection. Apply an antibiotic ointment (polymexin B or bacitracin) to blisters if you suspect an infection. Signs of infection include foul odor, yellow pus, intense redness, and skin irritation. It is best to see a doctor for a diagnosis based on your symptoms.
   • Remember that some people are allergic to these ointments, so first check the effect of the substance on a healthy skin area.
5. 5 Heal the ruptured blister. Do not pull off any pieces of skin left over from the blister - they will soon fall off on their own. Otherwise, you run the risk of increasing pain and inflammation.

Method 5 of 5: Folk remedies

1. 1 Use them at your own risk. The effectiveness of the following funds has not been scientifically proven, and they cannot replace all other means. Treatment methods, not listed belowmay slow down healing and intensify infection. Do not use egg whites, peanut butter, petroleum jelly, or vinegar on burns.
2. 2 Apply 100% aloe vera to the burn, or best of all, attach a fresh aloe leaf. With immediate and then frequent use, this method can heal even severe burns in one to two days.
3. 3 Try a tea treatment. Brew 3-4 tea bags in a jug of warm water. When the tea is almost black in color, remove the tea bags and allow the liquid to cool to room temperature. Gently blot the burn with a tea-soaked rag. Apply as much tea as you see fit, but do not rinse. The bigger, the better. If it hurts to touch your skin with a napkin, you can blot the burn with tea bags.
   • Try to do this before bed and leave it on overnight.
   • Remember tea stains.
4. 4 Eat foods high in antioxidants and vitamin C. If you have a recent burn (still red and no flaking skin), try to eat more antioxidant and vitamin C foods, such as blueberries, tomatoes, and cherries. In one study, it was found that it reduces the body's need for fluids, which lowers the risk of dehydration.
5. 5 Buy calendula ointment. This ointment is suitable for severe blistering burns. It can usually be found in naturopathic pharmacies and stores. Check with your retailer or naturopath before buying. Remember, herbal medicine is not enough for serious injuries. If you have severe burns or blisters that won't heal, see your doctor right away.
6. 6 Apply witch hazel lotion to the burn. It will soothe your skin. Apply the lotion to the damaged area of ​​the skin and leave it on for a while.
7. 7 Use egg oil. Egg fat contains omega-3 fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid. In addition, it contains immunoglobulins, xanthophils (lutein and zeaxanthin) and cholesterol. Omega-3 fatty acids are associated with phospholipids, which can form liposomes (nanoparticles) that can penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin and heal it.
   • Rub in the oil twice a day.Gently massage the affected area for 10 minutes twice a day, protruding from the edges of the wound by 2-3 centimeters.
   • Leave the oil on your skin for at least an hour and do not expose the burn to the sun.
   • Wash off the oil with a mild, neutral acid-base agent. Do not use soap or other alkaline products.
   • Apply the oil twice a day until the skin heals and returns to its original state.

Tips

• Sunburns can cause cancer later in life, especially blistering burns. Examine your skin regularly and know what other risk factors are. If you need specialist advice, see your doctor.
• Apply a cloth soaked in warm water to the burn.
• It has been proven that aloe vera has no effect on burns.
• Use sunscreen to avoid burns... These products will help you prevent burns. The degree of protection of the product must be at least SPF30. Such a product will protect the skin from damage by ultraviolet B spectrum, and if it is of very high quality, it will save you from the rays of the A spectrum. It is the rays of the A spectrum that have the maximum effect on burns, so you should buy a good product that can protect the skin from these rays. Apply it 15 minutes before sun exposure.

Warnings

• Do not touch, scratch, scratch or press on the burn. This will increase the irritation. Removing a layer of burned skin will not reveal a tan underneath and will not speed up the exfoliation process, but will only introduce an infection.
• Do not put ice on the burn. This is the same as getting a cold burn, which in terms of pain intensity is almost equal to that of the sun. In addition, it can worsen the condition of the burned area.
• Take medications with caution, including herbal tinctures and essential oils, for which sun sensitivity is a potential side effect.
• Even if you simply tan rather than burn, your skin will suffer and your risk of developing certain types of cancer will increase.