Once you have been sunburned, there are a few methods (self-care measures and over-the-counter products) you can try to relieve your symptoms and get the healing process started:
SELF CARE MEASURES
Cool Moist Cloth or Cool Bath
- Place a cool, moist cloth on burned areas of the skin or take a cool bath to decrease pain, redness, and swelling. The cool water draws heat away from the burned skin.
Drink lots of water
Moisturizing Lotions or Gels
- Moisturizing lotions or gels such as Aloe Vera, Petroleum jelly, Cocoa Butter, Allantoin can be used to cool your skin, decrease pain/ redness, and protects burned skin.
OVER-THE-COUNTER PRODUCTS
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines or NSAIDS
- Nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory medicines Or NSAIDS can reduce pain and swelling. They are available as a pill, lotion, gel, ointment, or spray.
- Examples of NSAIDS in the form of pill include: Ibuprofen (Brand Names: Advil, Motrin)
- Examples of NSAIDS in the form of a lotion/gel/ointment/spray include: Lidocaine, *Benzocaine, and pramoxine.
*Use of Benzocaine can result in a condition that decreases the amount of oxygen that blood can carry to body tissues.
Antibiotics
- Antibiotics can kill bacteria for open wounds. These generally come in the form of a lotion/gel/cream/ointment.
- Examples of antibiotic include: Polymixin, Neomycin
Counterirritants
- Counterirritants such as Tiger Balm are NOT recommended because they increase blood flow to the sunburned area and can result in swelling.
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