How to treat a sunburn?

How to treat a sunburn

More or less serious, sunburn is a burn. It usually heals in a week or two. In the meantime, how to relieve pain and redness and when should you consult?

the sunburn is a superficial burn of the skin, which occurs when one has been too exposed to the sun. UVB rays damage the microRNA of the cells, leading to an inflammatory response in the body. This results in hot, red and painful skin. In some cases, a blister filled withexudate. The inflammation normally subsides within a few days, but there are ways to lessen the pain and redness.

Sunburn: how to soothe it?

  • Cool the skin by taking a cool shower (between 15°C and 20°C) or a bath and applying a cold compress to the painful area.
  • Drink plenty to stay hydrated.
  • Apply an emollient and healing cream such as Biafine, or a aloe vera soothing gel. Promote products containing vitamin C and E, which accelerate healing and minimize skin flaking.
  • Do not try to burst the blisters or remove the peeling skin.
  • If the pain is severe, take an anti-inflammatory such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
  • Cover the burnt area with non-irritating cotton clothing and avoid further Sun exposure for two to three weeks.

Sunburn: when should you consult?

  • If the sunburn covers more than 10% of the total surface of the body.
  • If the blisters are larger than three centimeters and affect sensitive areas (hands, genitals).
  • If there are signs of skin infection (increased redness or pain, swelling or presence of pus).
  • In case of headache accompanied by confusion, weakness, dizziness or pain eyepieces and photophobia.

Some home remedies recommend the yogurtskimmed milk, vinegar or tomatobut these treatments have not proven to be more effective than the effect placebo.

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