Sunburn is the term used to describe the excessive exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) radiation that is present in the sunshine that can cause damage to the skin. Tanning beds and other man-made sources of ultraviolet light can potentially cause sunburns in sensitive individuals. A radiation burn is what we refer to as sunburn. Just 11 minutes of being exposed to the sun, you will begin to feel the effects of a sunburn. Within two to six hours, the skin will begin to become a bright red color. Over the next few days, your skin will continue to become sunburned. It could take a few days or even a few weeks for the skin to heal completely after becoming sunburned, depending on the degree of the burn.
If you have a sunburn that is not too severe, you should be able to treat it at home. However, you should seek medical assistance right away if you have a serious sunburn with blisters. Repeatedly being sunburnt can hasten the aging process and perhaps increase the risk of developing skin cancer in the long run. Therefore, the best course of action is to protect oneself from sunburn by taking the appropriate precautions.
Sunburns and the accompanying symptoms can be treated with the help of several home treatments.
- Staying Hydrated
- Aloe Vera
- Apply a Cold Compress
- Calming Moisturizing Creams and Lotions
- Black Tea
- Have a Cold Shower
- Oatmeal
- Green Tea
- Baking Soda
- Tea Tree Oil
- Plain Yogurt
- Loose-fitting clothing
- Honey
- Prepare a Plan for Protecting Yourself from the Sun. (Best Option)
Aloe vera, green tea, and tea tree oil are some examples of natural remedies that can be utilized to alleviate sunburn symptoms. If you only have a slight sunburn, sometimes known as a first-degree sunburn, it may heal up on its own after some time has passed. If you suffer from a serious sunburn, you should get in touch with your healthcare professional as soon as possible and seek medical help. If at all possible, prepare a plan for protecting yourself from the sun, which is the best option and avoid getting sunburn in the first place.
What Exactly Causes Sunburn?
Burns are caused by overexposure to the UV rays from the sun. Sunburn occurs when the skin is exposed to UV rays that are more powerful than the ability of melanin to provide protection. If you have fair skin, you may get a sunburn after only 15 minutes of being in the sun if you’re not careful. Dark-skinned individuals can stay in the sun for extended periods before getting a sunburn.
Sunburns are divided into three distinct categories according to the degree to which the skin has been damaged by the sun. The following are examples of common types of sunburn:
- A sunburn of the superficial layers of the skin, also known as a first-degree burn, typically clears up on its own with time.
- Sunburn of the second degree is the type of sunburn that causes damage to the inner layer of the skin. Blistering of the skin can be a symptom of sunburn of the second degree. It must be treated by a doctor, and the recovery time could be several weeks.
- People might get a sunburn of the third degree under extremely unusual situations. This particular sort of damage can cause significant harm to all layers of the skin as well as damage to the nerves. Because of this, immediate medical attention and treatment are required.
A sunburn can be caused by the following risk factors:
- As a result of the sun’s rays being at their peak intensity between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM
- Certain medications, such as doxycycline, among others
- Certain medical conditions, such as lupus, can make you more susceptible to sunburns than other people.
- Exposure to sun lamps
The symptoms of sunburn change depending on the degree of the burn.
| First Degree Burn | Second Degree Burn | Third Degree Burn |
| Redness of the skin
Skin feels tight and hot to touch Skin blistering and swelling Skin becomes tender and painful Skin peeling Nausea |
Pain at the site
Skin appears wet Excessive redness of the skin Swelling and blistering of the skin White spots at the site of the burn |
Dull or white-colored skin
The burn site appears leathery Skin numbness Raw Skin (Missing top Layer) |
Sunburn Home Remedies Recommendations:
Keep Yourself Hydrated
When coping with a sunburn, you should drink more water than usual to ensure that you do not become dehydrated. Burns from the sun causes a person to become dehydrated because they attract the body’s fluids to the surface of the skin. Sunburns can induce dehydration, which can be avoided by drinking a lot of water during the day.
Aloe Vera
A sunburn or other small burn can be helped to heal by applying aloe vera, which will also hydrate the skin and prevent it from peeling. Its ability to protect and hydrate the skin is made possible by its high-water content and the presence of sugar molecules in the jelly. Aloin, which can be found in aloe vera, is an anti-inflammatory compound that can also be beneficial. You can consume it directly from the plant, or you can get it at your neighborhood drugstore in the form of aloe vera gel or lotion. If you have a sunburn and are treating it with aloe vera, you should apply it to the affected areas three to four times per day.
Apply a Cold Compress
When applied to burnt skin for ten minutes at a time throughout the course of the day, a cold compress can help ease inflammation. To produce a cold compress, just soak a clean washcloth in chilly water, then apply it to the region that needs to be treated. In addition, you can purchase a cold compress that can be reused and stored in the freezer for quick cooling; however, you should avoid applying ice directly to skin that has been burnt. First, wrap with a clean washcloth.
Calming Moisturizing Creams and Lotions
Sunburns that are moderate to severe typically leave the skin reddened, itchy, and dry. In other words, after getting a sunburn, you need to hydrate your skin using emollients such as shea butter, cocoa butter, or petroleum jelly to calm the irritation and stop your skin from peeling. Applying a thick layer of Vaseline or Aquaphor, which can also help speed up the healing process, is something that has been recommended to help prevent future skin irritation.
Black Tea
Tea is a component that may be found in the cabinets of the majority of homes. To soothe sunburns, many people turn to this tried-and-true home cure. You can apply black tea that has been cooled directly to the skin that has been sunburned. The presence of certain chemicals in black tea contributes to the cooling effect it has on sunburned skin. There is some evidence that drinking black tea can help prevent cancer and restore damaged skin.
Have a Cold Shower
After spending the day in the sun, one of the easiest and most efficient ways to treat a sunburn is to stand in water that is cool or cold. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, taking frequent showers in cool water might lessen the burning sensation and help relieve some of the pain associated with a sunburn (AAD). A relaxing soak in a chilly bath is another option. Applying moisturizer after bathing or showering is an effective way to help seal in moisture.
Oatmeal
Oats are the primary component in a number of different skincare products, including lotions, soaps, masks, and scrubs. You can find oatmeal in these products. According to the findings of several studies, colloidal oatmeal possesses anti-oxidant qualities that have the potential to alleviate itching and relieve dryness in several skin disorders, including burns. To make an oatmeal bath, add one cup of finely ground oats to a bath of cool or lukewarm water. Soak for as long as you like. You can use your hand to mix the oats into the water, and then soak the affected region for at least 15 minutes.
Green tea
Undoubtedly, green tea tastes fantastic when you consume it. However, when it is applied to the skin, the polyphenols that it contains can also aid to soothe skin that has been sunburned. After steeping several green tea bags in hot water for a few minutes, add the tea to a warm bath. According to research, another thing you can do to help restore skin is to produce a compress using a washcloth and cold tea.
Baking soda
Baking soda baths may not sound like the most pleasant experience, but this home treatment can help reduce redness and bring down the temperature of the skin. To bath water that is cool or lukewarm, dissolve two ounces of baking soda. Spend at least a quarter of an hour soaking in the bathtub. After drying off with a towel, apply a layer of lotion or moisturizer to the area.
Tea Tree Essential Oil
The use of tea tree oil as an active component in sun protection products is becoming increasingly common. Tea tree oil has been shown to be effective in treating sunburn by increasing blood flow to the blood vessels of the skin and thereby delivering important nutrients to the skin that has been damaged. In order to make use of tea tree oil, it must first be diluted with a carrier oil such as coconut, almond, or olive oil. It is best to avoid using undiluted tea tree oil directly in the area that has been burnt.
Plain yogurt
When consumed on a consistent basis, plain yogurt offers protection from sunburn because of the probiotics and beneficial enzymes it contains. According to the findings of a study that was conducted by the National Institutes of Health, Lactobacillus johnsonii (La1) and dietary dosages of carotenoids helped to prevent early skin damage that was produced by UV light.
When applied to the skin, it may also provide relief for light sunburns, according to the findings of some specialists, even if the damage has already been done. The combination of sliced cucumbers and yogurt comes highly recommended. The yogurt will help to calm you down, and the cucumbers will assist you in staying hydrated. After that, wash the treatment off with water that is room temperature.
Water
Several sunburn treatment regimens involve the application of topical treatments; nevertheless, it is equally important to make sure that you drink a lot of water throughout the day. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), sunburns can cause your body to draw fluid to the surface of the skin and away from the rest of your body, which can increase your risk of being dehydrated.
Loose-Fitting Clothing
While your sunburn is healing, wear clothing that is light and loose-fitting so that it does not rub against your skin. This will help limit the amount of skin irritation and discomfort you experience. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the ideal type of clothing to wear to avoid getting sunburn in the future is made of tightly woven materials.
Honey
It has been shown to provide a variety of health benefits, including those that combat inflammation, germs, and viruses. Honey that is suitable for medicinal use can be used topically in areas that have suffered minor sunburns to assist in the healing process. Additionally, it might help the body produce new cells for the skin.
Prepare a Plan for Protecting Yourself from the Sun. (Best Option)
Applying sunscreen to all areas of skin that will be exposed to the sun before going outside and continuing to reapply it at least once every two hours while you are outside is the most effective strategy to treat a sunburn. When looking for a sunscreen lotion, it is important to search for one that offers protection against UV rays throughout a broad spectrum and has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30.
Over The Counter Medication for The Treatment of Sunburn
If you need more comfort than a home cure can supply, it may be time to try a treatment that is available over-the-counter or that you have to have a prescription for in order to treat your sunburn.
These three remedies are typically used to treat sunburns:
- Prescription topical steroid
But unless your skin is blistering and so painful that you cannot obtain relief, or if it is so red that the home cures are not working, then it is recommended that you may benefit from a topical prescription steroid such as betamethasone.
- Hydrocortisone cream
Sometimes sunburns are rather mild, while others can make life pretty miserable for the affected person. If there is a particular spot on your body that causes you a lot of pain, you might want to look into purchasing a hydrocortisone cream over the counter. This is a much better solution than utilizing pain relief creams like benzocaine and lidocaine, which can irritate the skin and, in some instances, lead to an allergic reaction, as stated by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).
- Ibuprofen
Pain medications containing ibuprofen, such as Motrin and Advil, are well-known for the anti-inflammatory benefits that they provide, which play an important role in the overall healing process. They also help ease the pain of a sunburn, which is especially important in the first 24 to 48 hours after the burn has occurred. Always make sure you dose and take your medication according to the instructions on the label.
When to Seek Medical Attention for a Severe Sunburn
Home treatments are effective in treating most cases of sunburn, especially those that are mild to moderate. However, there are circumstances in which consulting a healthcare professional is a prudent course of action. If you are suffering any of the following symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention:
- You have a severe burn, and blisters cover more than twenty percent of your body.
- Dehydration
- Burns that are very painful and severe, covering more than 15 percent of your body
- Fever of over 101 degrees Fahrenheit, which is considered to be high.
- Chills and/or nausea
- Skin that is inflamed and may be pustular in appearance
- Blisters that, over time, become yellow or reddish
If you are taking any prescription medications, especially those that can make you more sensitive to the sun, you should make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible. Antibiotics, antifungals, antihistamines, pharmaceuticals that decrease cholesterol, diuretics, oral contraceptives, retinoids, and phenothiazines are only a few of the medications that fall into this category.
Therapy in a hospital’s burn center may be required for extremely severe cases of sunburn to provide topical steroids and wound care, treatment with red light, or maybe resuscitation through the administration of fluids.
Conclusion
What’s the encouraging outcome of this post? There is a wide variety of treatment options available for sunburns, including aloe vera, cold compresses, over-the-counter drugs, and medications that require a prescription. They have the ability to provide instant comfort, calm skin that has been irritated, and jumpstart the healing process.
A sunburn is simply the result of excessive exposure to the damaging effects of UV light on the skin. It may take anything from a few days to a few weeks for the sunburn to completely recover, depending on how severe it was. A history of sunburn may put a person at an increased risk of developing skin cancer and advanced aging of the skin.
If you only have a first-degree sunburn, which is the mildest form of sunburn, it may recover on its own after some time has passed. In the event that you suffer from a serious sunburn, you should get prompt treatment by contacting your healthcare professional.
Remembering to prepare a plan for protecting yourself from the sun will greatly reduce the need for the pain and agony of getting sunburned in the first place.
References:
MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Sunburn [Internet]. [cited 2022 May 27]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003227.htm
American Academy of Dermatology Association. How to treat sunburn [Internet]. [cited 2022 May 27]. Available from: https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/injured-skin/burns/treat-sunburn
January A·, Qadir MI. Medicinal and cosmetological importance of Aloe vera. International Journal of Natural Therapy. 2009;2:21–6. Available from: http://www.researchgate.net/publication/233818204
Korać RR, Khambholja KM. The potential of herbs in skin protection from ultraviolet radiation. Pharmacognosy Reviews. 2011 Jul;5(10):164. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3263051/