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How to assess the severity of Sunburn?

Before you begin treating your sunburn, it’s important to identify how severe it is. This will help you choose the right treatment plan:

• Mild Sunburn: Slight redness, minimal to no pain.
• Moderate Sunburn: More intense redness, noticeable discomfort, and moderate pain.
• Severe Sunburn: Bright red skin, blisters, and severe pain.

Once you know the severity of your sunburn, follow the corresponding treatment steps below.

How to heal moderate Sunburn?

At this stage, stronger anti-inflammatory medications like steroids and paracetamol are necessary for pain relief and to halt the inflammatory process. You can also use 0.5% lidocaine for localized pain relief, which numbs the skin for about an hour but does not stop the inflammation as discussed below:

1. Cool the burnt skin: Sunburn occurs because of excessive heating of your skin. Our priority is to bring down the temperature of your skin by:

• As soon as you notice that your skin is getting burnt, step indoors.
• Apply cold compresses by placing a soft cloth (muslin cloth is best) dipped in either cold water or cold low-fat milk on burnt area.
• Take frequent showers and rest under the fan or air conditioner to accelerate the cooling of your skin.

2. Use Anti-Inflammatory Medications

To tackle the inflammation and pain associated with moderate sunburn, it’s essential to use stronger anti-inflammatory medications. Paracetamol can be taken after meals, with doses repeated every 8 hours if pain persists. This will provide relief and improve your comfort as your skin begins to heal. It is available at pharmacy or online at Amazon.

3. Apply Hydrocortisone Cream

For external relief, apply hydrocortisone cream twice daily until the redness subsides. This treatment is effective in reducing inflammation and can be used for up to 5-7 days. Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Cream is great for sunburn because it also contains soothing oats, which help calm irritated skin. Apply once a day until you see improvement. It is available at pharmacy or online at Amazon.

4. Utilize Lidocaine for Localized Pain Relief

Consider using a 0.5% lidocaine product for localized pain relief. This numbing agent can provide relief for about an hour, allowing you some temporary comfort while your skin heals. Combine aloe vera gel with 0.5% lidocaine for an added soothing effect, but limit this application to no more than three times a day.

Aloe Vera Gel for Sunburn Relief with Lidocaine Maximum Strength 4% is one such option available at Amazon. However, it’s crucial to avoid using lidocaine in certain situations, including:

• If you are allergic to it (if you have tolerated anesthetic injections in the past, you’re likely not allergic).
• If you have sensitive skin, heart disease, or a known allergy to local anesthetics.
• If you have large areas of sunburn, as lidocaine should not be applied to large skin areas.

In these cases, opt for a plain aloe vera-based sun relief cream without lidocaine. SunBurnt After-Sun Gel is an excellent alternative, free from irritating ingredients and preservatives available at Amazon

5. Monitor Your Condition

If you notice no improvement within 2-3 days, it’s essential to consult a doctor. Persistent symptoms may require professional medical attention to ensure proper healing and to rule out any complications.

6. Promote healing

Once skin starts peeling and redness and pain subsides, aid your skin’s healing process by applying a generous amount of moisturizer several times a day. Avoid thick creams, oils, ointments, petrolatum jelly, etc. because they might act as insulators preventing the heat loss. You can apply a generous amount of coconut oil or moisturiser with skin identical moisturising factors like Cetaphil Restoraderm lotion to accelerate the shedding process.

Our skin takes 28 days to renew itself; until then we should avoid any harsh chemicals that can delay the healing process. Best is to restrict the care on sunburn skin to use of mild cleanser followed by a soothing moisturising cream. Do not experiment with the home remedy or new products without prior patch test and avoid bleach, toners, hair removal, waxing, peels, etc. Ensure that the sunburnt skin does not see the sun for another 2-4 week. This will not only promote healing but also reduce the chance of getting pigmentation after healing of this area. We recommend covering up the area with a thick cloth and use a physical rather than chemical sunscreen generously to cover up the burnt skin.

Final thoughts

Moderate sunburn doesn’t have to be a lengthy ordeal. By following these steps and using the right products, you can effectively manage your symptoms and promote healing. Remember, prevention is always better than cure, so don’t forget to take precautions in the future to protect your skin from harmful UV rays!

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