You put on your sunscreen, but clearly not enough. Maybe you missed a spot, or maybe just forgot the sunscreen altogether. Your skin is red and painful. It feels hot to the touch. You have it, sunburn!
DO:
· Stay out of the sun to prevent further damage.
· Take a pain reliever. A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug like Advil or Motrin will relieve some of the discomfort and swelling.
· Cool the skin with frequent cool compresses or take a cool shower or bath.
· Moisturize. Sunburned skin loses water into the environment so apply cool aloe gel or moisturizing lotion to healing skin.
· Apply an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream (0.5-1%) to minimize inflammation, redness and itching.
· Drink water. Sun exposure and sunburn causes water lose through the skin. Stay hydrated.
· Apply antibiotic cream and a wet dressing to blisters should they develop.
· Get medical attention should fever, nausea or other systemic symptoms arise.
DON’T:
· Get more sun.
· Break any blisters if they should develop. This increases the risk of infection.
· Apply lidocaine or other “caine” anesthetics as they may cause allergic skin reactions
