How to treat sunburn on the body. Sunburn: causes and effective treatment. How to use coconut oil for sunburn

Sunburn is a condition that is familiar to almost every person, because for this it is enough to spend a little more than usual time on the beach or just get into direct sunlight and stay under them for 20-30 minutes. The sooner the treatment of the burn is started, the more likely it is to avoid its unpleasant consequences: the appearance of blisters,.

Signs of sunburn

If a person is burned in the sun, then the first signs of a burn will appear in half an hour, and over the next day all typical symptoms will develop. These include:

1. Redness of the skin - it can be focal or general, the skin in these places will be hot to the touch.
2. The skin in places affected by the sun's rays becomes, swells and becomes sore.
3. Blisters appear at the burn sites - they can be of different sizes, but are always accompanied by intense itching.
4. body - most often there are subfebrile indicators, accompanied by chills.
5. Occurs - depending on the degree of sunburn, this parameter may vary, in especially severe cases, dehydration leads to a state of shock.
6. , general weakness and signs of intoxication of the body - and may be present.

If a person has received a sunburn, then treatment should be started as soon as possible - such an aggressive effect on the body can result in serious complications.

Classification of sunburn

In medicine, there is a clear classification of the condition under consideration - there are 4 degrees of the course of the disease:

• 1 degree- will be characterized only by reddening of the skin and the absence of blisters;
• 2 degree- it is characterized by redness of the skin, the appearance of blisters, the appearance of common symptoms of sunburn (headache, slight increase in body temperature, general weakness);
• 3 degree– the structure of all skin integuments is broken, 60% of the skin is damaged;
• 4 degree- a person has complete dehydration, heart failure develops, and death often occurs.

Very often, people begin to independently select methods for treating sunburn, and they are not always literate. Such a careless approach to one's own health or the health of loved ones can lead to serious complications.

What not to do with sunburn

If you do not know the contraindications for the condition under consideration, then an independent solution to the problem can lead to the fact that only qualified doctors can alleviate the patient's condition.

What not to do with sunburn:

1. Wipe the burnt skin with ice cubes. This brings instant relief, but the consequences can be really terrible - the death of the damaged epithelium will begin, which leads to inflammatory processes and a long period of rehabilitation. By the way, it is likely that even after treatment, cosmetic defects will be present on the skin.
2. You can not wash damaged areas of the skin with alkaline soap, use a scrub - such an effect on thinned skin leads to the development of inflammatory processes.
3. In no case should sunburns be wiped with alcohol and any alcohol-containing products - this causes severe dehydration, and the body already suffers from dehydration.
4. If a sunburn occurs in an acute form, then it should not be treated with medical vaseline or badger / mutton / pork fat. The fact is that these products will clog the pores, and the skin will not be able to breathe.
5. Self-piercing of blisters or papules in places of sunburn is also highly discouraged - with a probability of 98%, a secondary infection will develop at the site of skin damage.
6. In the acute period of the condition under consideration, you should not drink, and alcoholic beverages - they increase dehydration of the body.

First aid for sunburn

First aid for sunburn should be provided immediately, because in the first minutes after direct and / or prolonged exposure to sunlight, the degree of damage cannot be determined. What is the concept of first aid for sunburn:

1. It is necessary to immediately hide from the sun's rays. The best option would be a cool room, but in extreme cases, the shade of a tree or a canopy on the street will do.
2. Assess your own condition and do it adequately. If you feel light, nausea, chills and headache, then it is advisable to call the ambulance team - most likely, the sunburn is serious and it is complicated.
3. In the case of a normal general condition, you need to help the body and the skin to cope:

All other actions are classified as therapeutic. But even if the above measures brought relief and the condition returned to normal / stabilized, you should not go outside in direct sunlight the next day. The fact is that the skin is under stress, they need to recover.

How to treat sunburn

It must be remembered that you can treat sunburn yourself, but only if they are 1-2 degrees. In all other cases, it is recommended to seek medical help - doctors will assess the patient's condition and select adequate therapy. As a rule, the following drugs are prescribed as part of the treatment of sunburn:

Ointments, creams and sprays

It is very important to use topical preparations for sunburn. These include:

Dexpanthenol

This is a large group of drugs that contain panthenol. These products accelerate skin regeneration, relieve inflammation, relieve the patient from itching, and have a protective and wound-healing effect.

How to apply: Dexpanthenol is applied to areas with damaged skin 2-4 times a day until the skin is completely restored. If there is an infection on the burn lesions, then before applying this drug, the focus should be treated with an antiseptic.

Aerosol Livian

The composition of this product includes fish oil, a mixture of freons, lavender oil, anesthesin, sunflower oil, linetol and tocopherol acetate. The aerosol has an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and analgesic effect.

How to apply: during the day, you need to spray the product once directly on the lesion of the skin. Livian aerosol can be used until complete recovery.

Ointment Elovera

Based on the name of this drug, it can be understood that the composition of the ointment includes vitamin E and aloe extract. The ointment accelerates regenerative processes in the skin, improves cellular metabolism and tissue trophism.

How to apply: 2-4 times a day, the ointment should be applied to the damaged areas of the skin with a thin layer.

Note:Elovera ointment is strictly contraindicated for use in the treatment of sunburn in patients under the age of 18 years.

Solution Carotolin

This solution not only accelerates the healing process, but also reduces the manifestations of the inflammatory process, relieves redness and heat in the affected area. In addition, when used, the solution has a cooling effect - it becomes much easier and more comfortable for a person.

How to use it correctly: a solution of Carotolin is applied to a sterile gauze napkin (the napkin must be well wetted) and applied to sunburns. There is no need to apply any bandages on top. Such lotions can be done 2-3 times a day.

Zinc Ointment, Desitin and Calamine Lotion

These drugs have a drying effect, prevent the development of a secondary infection in places of sunburn. Most often, the drugs in question are used in the treatment of minor sunburn.

How to use: apply funds 2-3 times a day directly on damaged skin.

Aerosol Olazol

The aerosol perfectly relieves inflammation, accelerates healing and greatly alleviates the patient's condition.

How to use: spray over the affected areas of the skin 2-3 times a day. You can use this tool immediately after getting a sunburn, so this aerosol should be in the first aid kit.

Ointment and gel Solcoseryl

The composition of these funds is complex, the main component is deproteinized dialysate from the blood of calves. Solcoseryl (both ointment and gel) accelerates the growth of granulation tissue and promotes better collagen formation.

How to apply: Solcoseryl gel is applied to sunburn 2-3 times a day, you must first clean the wound with an antiseptic. It is the gel that is used until tissue granulation, and then Solcoseryl ointment must be applied - it is applied 1-2 times a day on wounds until complete healing.

Psilo Balm

It has an excellent analgesic effect (local), relieves itching and swelling, and has a cooling effect when applied. It is very important - this balm is instantly absorbed into the skin and does not leave marks on clothes.

How to apply: Psilo-balm is applied to the affected areas of the skin 2-3 times a day until complete recovery. The same drug helps to get rid of itching during sun exposure.

Actovegin ointment

This is a biological drug that significantly reduces the duration of treatment for sunburn. When applied to the skin, the patient may feel mild pain, which quickly passes.

How to use it correctly: burn areas are lubricated with ointment 2-3 times a day until complete recovery.

Sinaflan

This ointment belongs to the drugs of the hormonal group, so it is strictly forbidden to use it on your own to treat sunburn - you need to get a prescription from your doctor. Sinaflan is able to reduce the intensity of itching, reduce inflammation and relieve allergic reactions.

How to use: The exact dosage and duration of use of Sinaflan will be indicated by the attending physician, but this drug is always prescribed in a short course.

• Floceta gel;
• Eplan;
• Radevit;
• Fenistil gel;
• Sudocrem.

Folk remedies for the treatment of sunburn

Of course, the condition in question has a long history, which is why there are a lot of folk methods that can alleviate the condition of the victim and speed up the healing of affected skin areas.

The most effective folk remedies for sunburn treatment:

1. Wet wipes without any perfume additives. It can be applied to burns for immediate relief.
2. Food from the refrigerator freezer or ice. They cannot be applied directly to burns, but it is allowed to cover the affected areas at a distance of 5 cm over healthy skin. This procedure will relieve the fever, alleviate the condition and reduce pain.
3. Protein . It is slightly whipped and applied to the burn, left to dry completely and repeat the procedure. Protein reduces pain and prevents overdrying of the skin.
4. Ryazhenka, sour cream, natural without flavorings, . These fermented milk products perfectly relieve fever, prevent dry skin, and alleviate the patient's condition. Sour-milk products are applied directly to the burnt skin, they must not be allowed to dry out - you need to remove it with a napkin in time.
5. Lavender oil. It is dripped onto a gauze napkin and applied to the site of the lesion of the skin. The procedure relieves pain, has an anti-inflammatory and cooling effect. It is quite possible to prepare lavender oil yourself - you need to take any vegetable oil and add a few drops of lavender essential oil to it.
6. Watermelon juice. They moisten a gauze napkin and apply to sunburn. You can use not juice, but the pulp of watermelon. This sweet berry will relieve pain, reduce itching and relieve fever.
7. Grated potato gruel (you can use carrots or pumpkin). The gruel is applied directly to the affected areas of the skin, or compresses are made from it. This procedure will reduce burning and pain, relieve inflammation.
8. Infusion from. For its preparation, you can use both fresh and dry leaves of the plant - they are simply poured with boiling water and infused for 20-30 minutes. Then gauze pads are moistened in the infusion and applied to the affected areas of the skin. Mint will not only cool, but also prevent infection, relieve itching and redness.
9. Lotions from clay. It is necessary to mix the clay with water until a homogeneous consistency. Then the resulting mixture is applied to the wound and left to dry completely. Clay prevents the development of the inflammatory process and the appearance of blisters.
10. Soda solution. Use for its preparation baking soda in the proportion of 1 tablespoon per glass of warm water. Then gauze wipes are moistened in the solution and applied to the burned areas of the skin. The procedure will help get rid of the feeling of tightness in the affected areas, prevent the development of the inflammatory process.

Preventive measures

Of course, the best option to protect against sunburn is to completely avoid exposure to the sun. But this is also not an option - the body must receive the necessary dose. Therefore, you can prevent the occurrence of sunburn by adhering to the following recommendations from doctors:

1. Be sure to use a sunscreen with UV protection.
2. In hot weather, you should always have a bottle of clean water with you (not a sweet drink, neither juice, nor compote!) - this will not only make you feel better in the heat, but also prevent dehydration.
3. Stay in the sun should be moderate - you should not be on the beach to the point of insanity to get a "chocolate" tan, if you are forced to stay in the sun for a long time - wear wide-brimmed hats.

The long-awaited summer provides an opportunity to enjoy warm weather, blue skies, outdoor picnics, relaxing by the water and many other delights of this wonderful time of the year. But prolonged exposure to the street can cause sunburn, which is caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight.

Anyone can get sunburnt. What can be done at home and what actions can be taken to reduce the consequences, how and how to treat a sunburn at home?

Sunburn symptoms and causes

The main cause of sunburn is prolonged exposure to the sun. As a result, the skin becomes red, hot to the touch, pain is felt. It usually appears a few hours after being exposed to the sun's UV rays or artificial sources, such as in a solarium.

Intense re-sunbathing that results in sunburn increases the risk of skin damage and some diseases. These include dry or wrinkled skin, dark spots, blisters, and melanoma, a virtually incurable form of cancer.

Symptoms may not appear immediately, but after five or more hours, and sometimes after a day or more. No need to think that you can only get sunburned on the beach. Sunburn can be obtained on any exposed areas of the skin: arms, legs, face, earlobes, nose and others, if you stay in the sun for a long time. Eyes are extremely sensitive to solar ultraviolet radiation.

Sometimes a light transparent fabric that transmits the sun's rays does not save from it.

The first symptoms of a sunburn are:

redness of the skin;

Becomes hot to the touch;

Pain and itching;

Swelling;

The appearance of small bubbles, which subsequently crack;

Headache;

Temperature, sometimes accompanied by fever;

Nausea and vomiting (in severe cases).

Within a few days, the body itself can cope with such a problem, clearing the top layer of damaged skin.

Not all people are equally prone to sunburn. It all depends on the type and color of the skin. Melanin is responsible for pigmentation. People with dark skin have more of it than people with light skin.

Under the influence of the sun, our body begins to produce more melanin to protect the deeper layers of the skin from burning, which leads to a change in skin color.

People with dark skin tend to get even darker. Conversely, in people with fair skin, it becomes red, which is the first sign of a burn. This redness is due to increased blood flow under the skin. So the body tries to fight the damage caused.

In addition to sunburn, many people get uneven dark spots, freckles.

How to treat a burn at home

Home remedies are the first aid for sunburn, which will help reduce pain and reduce inflammation. Regardless of the type of skin, after what time the first signs of a burn appeared and its degree, the treatment is the same.

The first thing to do is to stop exposure to sunlight, covering open areas of the body with a scarf, scarf, clothes, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, go into the shade.

How to Treat a Mild Sunburn

The mildest form of sunburn appears as redness on fair skin, or darkening of one or two shades in people with darker skin. With a slight burn, a slight burning sensation is felt, the skin is hot to the touch, which is associated with an increase in blood circulation in this area.

All that needs to be done at this stage is soothing compresses and lotions or taking a bath, which can relieve burning and pain.

Milk products

These are one of the most affordable remedies that you can use to treat mild sunburns, as long as you don't have an allergy to them. The fat, protein and pH of dairy products have a soothing effect on the skin. And the colder they are, the better they help constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling, while being gentle on the skin.

Apply cool, not cold, milk, kefir, yogurt, sour cream or any other product that is in the house to the body.

Before applying, wash your face, hands or take a cool shower and dry your skin slightly.

Pour the cold milk from the refrigerator into a bowl and leave it for 5 minutes in the room. You can add 3-5 drops of lavender or mint essential oil. Both have additional useful properties, but they are not essential at the moment.

Dip a cotton swab into the milk and gently apply to the inflamed areas. Leave until it is absorbed into the skin and repeat the procedure several times.

Skimmed milk is best. But if there is none, use any.

Wash off the milk film after a few hours and repeat the process.

Similarly, you can use other dairy products, applying them to the skin and leaving until completely absorbed into the skin.

You can apply a milk compress to the affected area. To do this, add some water or ice cubes to the milk. Soak a towel or cloth in the liquid. Squeeze lightly and apply to skin. Leave on for at least five minutes or until the towel is warm. Repeat the procedure three times.

Tea is the second home remedy for sunburn first aid. Freshly brewed and cooled to room temperature and below, it is able to soothe the skin, relieve the burning sensation.

Regardless of the brand and type of tea, they all contain polyphenolic compounds such as tannins, catechins, and epicatechin, which act as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. In addition, these compounds have anti-cancer properties against several types of cancer, including melanoma. This property makes the tea especially useful, since exposure to the sun damages DNA, which is one of the main causes of skin cancer.

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add 5 tablespoons of tea leaves and remove from heat. You can take 5 tea bags. Let it brew for 30 minutes and drain through a strainer.

You will end up with a very concentrated brew. Dilute it with 4 cups of ice water.

Dampen a cotton or soft cloth, wring out lightly and apply to affected areas. You can pour the tea leaves into a spray bottle and apply to the body as often as possible.

You can add 10 drops of mint or lemon essential oil to the tea leaves.

The remaining tea bags after cooling can be put on the eyelids.

Do such compresses daily for several days until the condition improves.

Corn starch

Cornstarch or potato starch is another popular home remedy. It has been traditionally used for a variety of skin problems, including redness and skin irritation in babies.

For a burn on the nose or earlobes, make a paste by mixing 2 tablespoons of starch with enough water. Apply it with your fingers and leave it to dry completely.

If you burned your face, make a thinner solution by dissolving a cup of starch in 2 cups of water. Apply to the affected area using a damp cloth and let dry.

For back burns, sprinkle starch all over the skin and spread evenly over the entire surface. At night, you can sprinkle them with a sheet with which you will hide.

Tomato

It can be used with any of the above. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene and carotenoids, which have powerful antioxidant protection.

As mentioned earlier, the sunburn that you see on the surface of the skin is the result of tissue damage that has occurred in the lower layers. It is accompanied by the formation of some highly reactive species called free radicals. If they are not neutralized by antioxidants, they can cause great harm to health.

Drink more tomato juice until the sunburn is gone. You can include dishes with tomato sauce and chili peppers in your diet at this time. Lycopene contains the most and is best absorbed in tomato salad with vegetable oil.

With a mild sunburn, the symptoms are not very pronounced, there is only a slight discomfort, but it should not be ignored. Drink more water. lubricate the skin with a moisturizer at night.

Treatment for moderate sunburn

If the skin is redder, severe pain, burning sensation is felt, then in this case other means may be needed to treat and reduce discomfort.

Coconut milk or oil

Coconut milk is just as calming as dairy, but has some added benefits. It is one of the few sources of lauric acid. It is a fatty acid found in breast milk. In the body, it turns into monolaurin, which has antimicrobial properties. This acid is important for cell growth and repair.

Freshly squeezed coconut milk is a popular home remedy in tropical countries. Luckily, coconuts are now available all year round all over the world.

Soak fresh or frozen coconut meat for 5 minutes in warm water and puree. Strain through a sieve and squeeze out the liquid well. Store your milk in the refrigerator.

With it, you can make lotions, compresses or apply with a cotton swab to damaged skin.

Coconut oil is one of the best oils for skin care, if not the best. In addition to antimicrobial properties, it has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.

After a cool shower, apply coconut oil directly to the inflamed skin. For extensive sunburn, you can add 2 tablespoons of oil to a warm water bath so that a thin film of oil covers the entire body. It will prevent the skin from drying out.

Bath with oatmeal and lavender

Another great way to get relief from sunburn on large areas of your body is to take an oatmeal bath with lavender essential oil. In aromatherapy, lavender oil is considered to be soothing for many skin problems. It has anti-inflammatory properties and relieves pain.

Grind oatmeal to a fine powder and add it to water along with 10-15 drops of lavender oil. Take a bath for no longer than ten minutes, as taking longer can dry out your skin.

For burns of this degree, you can use:

mashed potatoes;

Tomato puree.

Apply them on the skin until the pain disappears. Rinsing the affected area with a solution of apple cider vinegar mixed in half a glass of vinegar to a glass of water will also help relieve inflammation and pain.

Home remedies for severe sunburn

If you suffer from pain even when not touching it in the affected areas, it can be assumed that it is literally burned, as in a thermal burn of the 2nd degree. With this degree of burn, blisters soon appear. This may take from 6 hours to two days.

They form when too many cells in the dermal layer of the skin die, releasing the fluid inside them. This clear liquid collects between the outermost layer of the skin, called the epidermis, and the dermis below it. Other symptoms of severe sunburn are fever and chills.

At this stage, home remedies mostly play a supportive role, especially if there is severe pain, fever, and widespread inflammation requiring painkillers such as ibuprofen or corticosteroid ointments. To make it easier, you can use the following tools.

Aloe vera

The leaves of this succulent plant are good for skin care even when it is intact. This houseplant is a popular folk remedy for relieving the pain of 2nd and 3rd degree burns and has been used long before modern remedies were available.

The colorless jelly-like juice is able to maintain normal skin hydration, while powerful phyto compounds treat it.

Take a mature leaf and remove the tough outer skin. Grind to a paste and apply to skin. Leave until completely absorbed and reapply.

Natural honey is another well-known home remedy for severe burns. In addition to antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it moisturizes the skin well due to its ability to draw water from the deeper layers of the epidermis. It can be considered the best way to deal with blisters and for skin healing.

You can apply pure honey or mix it with oatmeal.

Folk recipes for the treatment of sunburn

In the arsenal of folk remedies there are many recipes for the treatment of such a problem.

Baking soda

Baking soda can be found in every home. It is used not only for baking, but also as a cleaning agent for home care. It has a soothing effect on burnt skin due to its alkaline properties.

In addition, it has antiseptic properties, which will reduce the itching associated with sunburn.

There are two ways to use baking soda. The first is taking a bath. When filling with water, add 1 cup of baking soda and stir. Take a bath for 15 minutes. Dry the body with a soft towel or simply dry it without dressing.

Do this bath once a day until you get a positive result.

The second way is to apply the paste on the skin. Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with water to make a thin paste. Apply it with a cotton swab to the affected area of ​​the skin. Leave on for 10-15 minutes and rinse with cool water. Apply the paste once or twice a day for several days, depending on the severity of the burn.

Oatmeal

It has soothing properties that help the skin retain its natural moisture and reduce irritation. Ground oatmeal can be taken in a bath or applied directly to the skin.

When taking a bath, add 1 cup of flour to the water. Take a bath for half an hour. Then dry with a soft towel. Do this bath once a day until the signs of burns pass.

In the second option, prepare a creamy paste or a little thinner and apply to the damaged area. Leave for half an hour and rinse with water. Such masks should be done until complete recovery 1-2 times a day.

Potato

It has already been described above how potato starch can be used. If it is not available at the moment, you can use raw potatoes.

Grind 1-2 tubers in a blender and apply puree to the damaged area. As an emergency measure, apply a slice of potato or gently rub it on the skin.

cucumbers

Cucumbers cool the skin and relieve discomfort. Peel them from the skin, cut into thin slices and apply to the burnt area. You can squeeze the juice and lubricate the damaged areas with it.

Tomatoes

As mentioned above, with sunburn it is useful to drink tomato juice. Apply slices of tomatoes directly on the burns.

Vinegar

Although you can often find apple in recipes, the usual white table works in the same way. Acetic acid soothes and moisturizes the skin. And this is what is needed at this moment. In addition, it is able to improve the appearance of the skin after the burnt skin peels off.

In the face area, the vinegar solution should be applied with a cotton swab or disc. For the body, you can use a spray bottle.

Sauerkraut

Before applying the cabbage, you need to hold it at room temperature and apply for no more than 10-15 minutes. Its principle of action is like that of vinegar. This treatment is suitable for small burnt areas.

Egg white

It relieves redness, swelling and swelling, eliminates burning. The separated protein is applied in a thin layer and left until it dries. Then gently rinse with cool water or a decoction of herbs, tea leaves. Be sure to apply moisturizer.

Do not use in the presence of blisters, especially bursting, and other open skin lesions.

Cool compress

To reduce the inflammation and pain associated with sunburn, you can apply cold compresses to the affected area. They constrict capillary vessels, which in turn reduces inflammation.

To do this, wrap a few ice cubes in a damp cloth and apply to the burn. Hold the compress until it warms up from the body.

Cool compresses can be done several times a day. Do not apply ice directly to the skin.

Herbs for sunburn

One of the most common herbs used for healing is calendula. Chamomile, oak bark, string are also used.

Decoctions are prepared by brewing a tablespoon of dried herbs with 500 ml of boiling water. Let it brew and filter. Then the infusion is cooled and compresses, lotions are made with it or washed when the face is burned.

Calendula grows almost everywhere. But collecting in flower beds near the roads is still not worth it. It can be bought at the pharmacy both in the form of grass and in sachets.

It has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial properties, moisturizes the skin well, relieves pain and irritation.

In addition to the infusion, you can make oil by pouring a tablespoon of flowers with 1 glass of vegetable oil. Infuse for a week in a warm sunny place and strain.

The oil accelerates the epithelialization of burned skin and stimulates regeneration.

Sunburn of the face than to treat

The face can burn from prolonged exposure to the sun if it is not protected by a hat. Masks can be used to relieve pain and itching, reduce redness.

For this you can use:

Dairy and lactic acid products (lubricate the face and wash off after a few minutes with cool water);

tea bags;

Lotions from decoctions of herbs;

cucumber mask;

Aloe vera juice or gel;

Mashed potatoes

and other means mentioned above.

The following masks work well.

Mix 1 egg yolk with 1 tablespoon of olive or other cosmetic oil. Add 2 tablespoons of sour cream to this mixture. Apply to face and leave for a few minutes.

Boil a potato and mash it. Cool and apply on face.

Brew 4 tablespoons of oatmeal with 100 ml of boiling water. Cool and apply for 15 minutes. After removing, lubricate your face with a moisturizer.

You can put on the eyelids:

Freshly brewed tea bags;

Chamomile or calendula sachets;

Cucumber slices;

Potato slices.

If your lips are burned, it is best to lubricate them with pharmacy petroleum jelly or Aquaphor ointment.

How to lubricate a sunburn

After a sunburn, the skin becomes dry, burns and itches. To soften and moisturize, it is good to smear with vegetable or cosmetic oil. Best suited for this:

olive;

sea ​​buckthorn;

coconut;

Shea or shea;

But sunflower oil is better not to lubricate. It absorbs worse and leaves a thicker oily film on the body, which prevents the skin from “breathing”.

How not to get sunburned preventive measures

A beautiful even tan is the best gift that summer gives us. Sunlight promotes the production of vitamin D, which helps our bodies absorb calcium and keep bones healthy.

But everything is good in moderation. Excessive exposure to the sun is just as harmful and dangerous as its absence. Excessive ultraviolet rays affecting the skin destroy the collagen fibers responsible for its elasticity, contribute to the appearance of wrinkles. The skin becomes sensitive and dry. But this is not the only problem.

Ultraviolet reduces immunity and can cause skin cancer. To avoid sunburn, it is enough to follow simple rules. Don't forget them even on cool, cloudy or overcast days.

Be especially careful when carrying water, sand, snow, as they reflect them well. The influence of ultraviolet is greater at higher altitudes.

Deciding to sunbathe

Avoid exposure to the sun from 10 am to 4 pm. It is at this time that it is most active.

Plan your outdoor activities also at other times. If this is not possible, limit the amount of time you spend in the sun.

Avoid tanning in the solarium during the summer.

When going outside, wear a wide-brimmed hat and clothing that covers your shoulders, arms, and legs. Dark colors and thick fabrics provide more protection.

Use a sunscreen with SPF 15 or more and broad-spectrum UV protection. On sunny days, it is recommended to use a cream with SPF 30 or more.

Apply it on the body no later than 15-30 minutes before going out. Reapply every 2 hours or more often if you swim in water or sweat a lot.

When using insect repellent, apply sunscreen first. It is recommended to use products that combine insect and sun protection.

Children 6 months and older also need to use sunscreen. The best products for them are those that contain physical blockers (titanium oxide or zinc oxide). For children younger than 6 months, other forms of sun protection such as shade or clothing should be used.

Wear sunglasses outdoors with UVA and UVB protection. Remember that darker lenses do not necessarily block UV rays better.

Be aware that some medications increase sun sensitivity. These include antihistamines, ibuprofen, certain antibiotics, antidepressants, cholesterol-lowering drugs, and others. Talk to your doctor about side effects when prescribing medication.

Even if home remedies provide some relief from sunburn symptoms, the damage actually done to the deeper layers of the skin prevails. In addition to the risk of cancer, photoaging is the main negative result of exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Antioxidant foods eaten during this time can help offset some of this damage by neutralizing free radicals.

Another way to make the skin more impermeable to ultraviolet rays is to gradually build up a layer of melanin. Sunbathe gradually, being in the sun for a few minutes a day.

How long does a sunburn last

How long a sunburn lasts depends on several factors:

The degree of burn;

skin type;

The size of the burnt area;

age;

health conditions;

Burnt skin care.

Healing may take 1-2 days or more. On average, symptoms go away within 3-5 days. But the consequences can take a week or longer. Especially when there were blisters on the skin and it began to peel off.

An important role is played by the size of the burn and the first measures taken to minimize the consequences. The fact is that the symptoms of a burn may not appear immediately, but after a day or more.

Therefore, when returning home from the beach or a long walk, take preventive measures immediately.

Can you take a bath after a sunburn?

Yes, you can. Only the temperature of the water should be lower so as not to cause an increase in blood circulation, which can lead to blistering.

But it is better to give up visiting a sauna or a bath, a cedar barrel for a while.

About sunburn in the program "Live healthy"

Sunburn is a particular type of skin injury. The peculiarity lies in the fact that they cannot be clearly attributed to thermal or radiation. On the one hand, their occurrence is associated with overheating of tissues, on the other hand, it is caused by the action of ultraviolet rays, which are a component of ionizing radiation. Another feature of this type of burns is unpredictability. You can get it when open areas of the skin are exposed to direct sunlight for a long time, as well as in case of violation of the rules for servicing in a solarium. The most aggressive sun rays are in late spring and early summer. With regard to the daily activity of the sun, we can say that its peak falls on the period from 11 to 15-16 hours. It is during these time intervals that sunburns most often occur.

No less important factors in the likelihood of this problem are the individual features of the structure and functions of the skin. This fact determines the dependence of the occurrence of burns on the duration of exposure to the sun and the severity of damage. Some people are sufficiently resistant to the action of the ultraviolet spectrum of sunlight, and even a long stay in the open sun causes only the most common tan. In others, on the contrary, the shortest exposure to the sun provokes the development of skin burns. Everyone knows about this and must necessarily take into account their own characteristics to prevent negative consequences.

Clinically, sunburn can manifest itself in two ways, which characterize the degree of its severity. The first is characterized by reddening of the skin. Usually it happens like this: during the day of active sunbathing, a person does not feel any discomfort. Only in the late afternoon, unpleasant sensations appear in the burn area, which gradually increase in the form of a burning sensation, especially when touching it. They are accompanied by a feeling of tightness of the affected skin. Visually, it looks reddened against the background of other areas that have not been exposed to sunlight. The most common localization of these changes are the back, shoulders and face. Other areas are affected less frequently.

If the changes are limited to those indicated, then such a burn will begin to pass in 3-4 days. But sometimes it happens that a few hours or the next day after getting a burn, blisters appear against the background of reddened skin. Their contents are a clear straw-yellow liquid. Sizes and shapes may vary. The appearance of this symptom characterizes severe sun damage to the skin and requires special measures to eliminate them.

The answer to this question can be obtained on the basis of a correct assessment of the burn. Its characteristics include localization, prevalence and degree of tissue damage. It is better to treat sunburn under the supervision of a doctor in the following situations:

Any burns of the facial area. They always proceed hard and can lead to the formation of rough scars and cosmetic defects;

Extensive burns of any localization, accompanied by the formation of multiple large blisters filled with a clear liquid;

Burns of any size and localization with the appearance of blisters containing bloody fluid or opened elements with the formation of deep wound defects.

Severe swelling of any degree with a lesion in the face or in areas remote from the burn.

The need to consult a specialist in these cases is associated with the slow and prolonged healing of deep sunburn. Superficial lesions in the form of reddening of the skin, regardless of the area of ​​injury, or small bubbles, can be easily dealt with at home.

First aid for sunburn

The primary measures aimed at eliminating a sunburn are to cool the damaged areas of the skin. This is necessary in order to reduce pain and stop the damaging effect of high temperatures, which are observed in the burned skin for several hours after the exclusion of contact with the sun's rays. For these purposes, cooling compresses with plain water or strong cold tea, tomato, cucumber and other types of juice are ideal. From medications, you can use an aqueous solution of antiseptics: chlorhexidine, decasan, furacilin. Lotions are replaced depending on their heating.

No less important is anesthesia. No matter what degree the burn is, it is much easier to endure it if you take anti-inflammatory drugs: analgin, paracetamol, ibuprofen, tempalgin. Also shown are antihistamines such as diazolin, loratadine, claritin. They also reduce unpleasant itching sensations in the burn area.

It is very important to remember that under no circumstances should you do when providing first aid for sunburned skin:

Apply products containing alcohol to the damaged areas. This will increase the pain, dry out the damaged dermis and increase the affected area.

Wash the burn surface with various soap and gel hygiene products containing various chemical compounds. This can cause a severe allergic reaction.

Lubricate the skin with oily creams. They will act as a thermal shield, which will prevent the skin from cooling and increase the degree of damage.

Pop bubbles on your own. Incorrectly performed such a procedure in violation of the rules of antiseptics can lead to infection of the burn surface and poor healing.

A characteristic feature of severe sunburn is a progressive and persistent swelling of the skin and surrounding tissues, even in areas remote from the burn. Localization of damage in the area with increased blood circulation, to which the face belongs, leads to its most pronounced development. This is the most frightening of those burned and makes them seek help from a specialist.

There are two ways to explain the appearance of puffiness with sunburn. On the one hand, those microcirculatory disorders, which are caused by the paralytic effect of high temperatures on the vessels, lead to their expansion and the active release of plasma elements into the surrounding tissues. On the other hand, the sun's rays, as a powerful allergen, lead to the development of allergic edema.

It is imperative to remember this and, in parallel with the main local treatment, it is necessary to deal with the elimination of puffiness, especially in patients with a burdened allergic history (, atopic,). It often happens that these processes are exacerbated by the action of sunlight. Perhaps the development of allergic reactions of various types after burns for the first time.

What to do and how to treat a sunburn?

Assistance should begin as early as possible. The more timely it will be, the lower the degree of burn will be. Events begin with cooling the burned surface with the help of various cold lotions and compresses with antiseptics, plain water or decoctions of plants, fermented milk products (yogurt, whey, fresh low-fat sour cream). All further measures are assigned depending on the degree of the burn and the stage of the process.

Cooling compresses should be applied for about 6 hours after the burn. After that, the tactics will be like this:

If the burn is represented by reddening of the skin, then it is necessary to moisten the damaged areas either with aqueous solutions recommended for cooling, or with water-soluble creams and gels with antiseptic and wound healing components (panthenol, bepanthen, actovegin, rescuer, agrosulfan, synthomycin, methyluracil, levosin, fastin) .

A few days later, when the well-dried damaged skin begins to peel off, and a new epidermis appears in its place, it is allowed to add oil-based ointments and creams. They will provide good hydration and protection of the skin. For these purposes, ordinary vaseline, sea buckthorn or other vegetable oils are suitable.

In the case of burns accompanied by the formation of blisters, tactics are determined by their size. Small blisters do not open and must be treated in the same way as for reddened areas. After a few days, they will open on their own when the damaged skin is protected by a thin layer of the epidermis under the bladder. Large tense blisters are subject to opening in a medical institution in compliance with all antiseptic rules. To do this, they are treated with water antiseptics and pierced with a needle. Then the liquid is evacuated, the tissues are not removed. They act as a biological dressing, protecting damaged skin from microorganisms and suppuration.

If, after the formation of large blisters, spontaneous opening occurs or burns appear as wound surfaces of various sizes and depths, treatment should be carried out according to the general rules for the treatment of thermal burn wounds. Such injuries can be carried out either under an ointment bandage, or in the open air under a scab.

The choice of method is strictly individual, and their combination and alternation can be prescribed depending on the stage and characteristics of the course of the wound process. All damaged surfaces are treated with antiseptic solutions that do not cause irritation and tissue damage (furatsilin, decasan, chlorhexidine). If the wound is superficial and self-covered with a thin scab, then it is carried out by an open method. In the case of deep wounds with secretions, they are closed with ointment dressings (levomekol, oflokain, methyluracil, solcoseryl). With the development of edematous syndrome, antihistamines are prescribed (claritin, loratadine, erius), and in severe cases, glucocorticoid hormones systemically or locally, in the form of ointments (dexamethasone, kremgen, sinaflan).

Modern remedies for sunburn

Wound healing drugs:

Panthenol. The drug has an anti-inflammatory effect, improves tissue regeneration, is quickly absorbed (absorbed) by the skin. There are no age restrictions, individual intolerance is possible, use in children should be carried out under the supervision of adults.

Solcoseryl. Just like panthenol, it has proven itself in the treatment of burns and has various dosage forms (ointment, gel, jelly);

Methyluracil. Available in the form of a paraffin-based ointment. Stimulates regenerative and recovery processes in damaged tissues. It is used in the treatment of superficial and deep burn wounds in the healing stage.

Antiseptic preparations:

Miramistin. It has a good antibacterial effect against a large number of microorganisms and fungi. Indicated in the first stage of treatment of sunburn of any complexity;

Agrosulfan. A silver-based preparation that has a good barrier effect on light sunburn. Use for deep burns accompanied by secretions is limited;

Oflokain. It is a combination of an antibacterial substance and lidocaine on a water-soluble basis. Well protects the wound surface, anesthetizes and moisturizes, stimulates the rejection of dead tissues.

Combined funds:

Fastin. Fat-based ointment containing furatsilin, anesthesin, synthomycin. A good preparation for the treatment of superficial sunburns or deep ones in the healing stage;

Rescuer. It contains beeswax, sea buckthorn oil, plant extracts and many other components that form a protective film on the burned surface and have a softening, protective, analgesic and wound healing effect;

Kremgen. A drug containing a hormonal substance and an antibiotic. Effectively helps with superficial burns, accompanied by swelling.

Treatment of sunburn folk remedies

Perhaps this is the simplest and most affordable folk method that helps to quickly relieve pain and redness with a sunburn. You just need to take ordinary sour cream and anoint it all over the body, which was burned in the sun.

As you anoint the skin, wait 30-60 minutes: the pain will pass and the redness will greatly decrease. If such treatment is carried out on time, then your skin will not peel off. But even if you are late, you will greatly facilitate the process of recovery.

Potato. Take three pieces and cook it in uniform. Then peel and beat with sour cream. It's better if it's at home. Lubricate the burn with such an ointment and leave for half an hour or an hour. Then wash off with warm water.

Such treatment very quickly helps with sunburn, and after a day you can sunbathe again. Also, if small blisters form on your skin and in the sun, then you can lubricate the affected areas of the body with gruel from raw potatoes and leave it for forty minutes. Potatoes are very good for sunburn.

Egg yolks. Another old folk remedy for sunburn: hard-boil the required amount of chicken eggs, remove the yolks and over-fry them in a skillet over low heat until a black viscous ointment is obtained. If this ointment is smeared with burnt places, then they heal by leaps and bounds. In addition to treating sunburn, this remedy also works wonderfully with ordinary severe burns.

And here is another method for sunburn, based on pumpkin: put gruel from pumpkin pulp on the burnt places, put gauze on top, otherwise the compress will dry out under the influence of oxygen. After the first time, the victim will feel much better.

Education: Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry (1996). In 2003 he received a diploma from the educational and scientific medical center for the administration of the President of the Russian Federation.

Sunburn is common, especially during the hot summer months when many people like to sunbathe on the beach. However, you should be extremely careful, especially for the first time, when the skin is still tender after wintering.

It is worth lying a little under the baking sun, and you will immediately earn a sunburn - the skin on the face, back and other parts of the body begins to burn and acquire a characteristic reddish tint. A sunburn is literally a skin burn caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The result of such a lesion is inflammation of the skin.

If you have received a severe sunburn, then the first signs will begin to appear within a few hours, and after a day a complete clinical picture appears - itching, swelling, redness, soreness, dehydration and other “joys” of the resulting sunburn.

In this case, it is necessary to immediately provide first aid to remove the effects of a sunburn. As a rule, treatment is carried out at home using pharmacy ointments, creams, sprays, as well as time-tested folk remedies.

Sunburn symptoms

Sunburns, like heat burns, are divided into three stages: solar erythematous dermatitis, blistering stage and necrotic stage.

The severity of the burn is affected by the type of skin, the amount of time spent in the sun, as well as the state of health. For example, people with fair skin get a severe sunburn much easier, and it will take longer to heal.

Most often, skin lesions as a result of exposure to ultraviolet rays are manifested by redness and soreness of the skin, and vesicles may also appear, grouped into blisters, with serous contents.

1. With a mild burn, the skin becomes inflamed, reddens, and even a light touch causes pain. After a few days, the skin begins to peel off and the sunburn goes away without leaving visible marks.
2. Severe sunburn is complicated by severe skin burning, blistering, severe dehydration, fluid and electrolyte imbalances, and possible infection.

In addition to the above symptoms, there are also:

• chills;
• temperature;
• nausea and/or vomiting;
• symptoms resembling vomiting;
• blistering;
• loss of skin observed 4-7 days after the burn.

Other problems that may occur along with sunburn include:

• heat or sunstroke, or other problems associated with general overheating;
• allergic reactions to sun exposure or sunscreens;
• eye disorders such as burning pain, decreased vision, partial or complete loss of vision.

Your skin type determines your susceptibility to sunburn and sunburn. People with fair or freckled skin, blond or red hair, and blue eyes are especially sensitive.

What to do with a sunburn?

Everyone should know what to do when a sunburn occurs. By doing so, you will alleviate the symptoms and get better sooner.

1. First of all, after a sunburn has been received, it is necessary to go into a room into which ultraviolet rays would not penetrate.
2. Further, it is important to understand how severe the burn is and whether blisters have appeared. If they are, it means that the degree of skin damage is significant, which requires an urgent visit to the doctor.
3. You can temporarily relieve pain with a cold shower or a compress.
4. On the damaged area, you need to apply a cream with a calming effect, chilled aloe juice is also suitable. It is important to remember that it is strictly forbidden to apply oils, both creamy and vegetable, to burned skin.

First aid

When the burn is not too severe, you can treat yourself. Be sure to see a doctor if you get a severe burn and you have the following symptoms:

• strong pain;
• large blisters;
• headache, nausea and vomiting;
• confusion, weakness.

First aid is aimed at lowering the temperature, providing moisture to the cells of the epidermis, removing redness, and reducing the sensation of pain.

What to treat? To do this, you can use compresses and lotions from chilled black or green tea, chilled decoctions of medicinal herbs that have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects (for example, chamomile, calendula, lavender). Remember to drink enough water to prevent dehydration.

Cooled skin must be moisturized, otherwise immediately after cooling it will dry out and inflame even more. After-sun ointments or sunburn sprays work well for this. Folk remedies are also suitable - kefir, sour cream, milk, egg white, you can spread yourself with these products at home.

To relieve pain, you can take - Imet, etc. or take a cool bath or shower. Suitable for relieving itching and burning. Further actions are related to therapeutic measures and are aimed at preventing infection of damaged skin and its speedy recovery.

How to treat sunburn at home

If the skin is damaged in the sun, it is necessary not to be exposed to ultraviolet radiation for several days, that is, to allow the skin to calm down and rest without appearing in the sun.

Home treatment involves the use of folk remedies, they will help relieve sunburn of the skin.

1. One of the oldest ways, simple and affordable: you need lubricate the burnt places with sour milk, kefir, natural yogurt (without fruit additives and sugar). Sometimes sour cream is included in this list, however, due to its fat content, it creates a favorable environment for the development of microorganisms on injured skin.
2. To sun-damaged skin area attach a piece of raw peeled potatoes, hold for several minutes periodically updating the attached slices.
3. In the case of mild thermal external burns, apply thick protein separated from the yolk and apply it on the treated skin surface. The resulting film is not removed, it should fall off by itself.
4. Need cut a fresh aloe vera leaf in the middle to get the juice. Apply aloe vera juice on sunburn blisters, let it dry and absorb into the skin. If a fresh aloe vera leaf is not available, you can use aloe vera gel, which can be purchased at a pharmacy.
5. Necessary pour a tablespoon of dry chamomile with a glass of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes. And when it cools down, make a compress from the infusion, applying a piece of moistened gauze to the burnt areas.
6. white cabbage leaves washed and doused with boiling water for greater softness. Then they are cooled and applied to burns, secured with a bandage and worn throughout the day. This simple method helps reduce pain and relieve swelling.

Try these folk recipes, they will help reduce symptoms and relieve sunburn in a short time.

How to smear sunburn at home

Above, we have listed how you can lubricate a sunburn at home using traditional medicine. What else can help in this case?

This part will present effective pharmaceutical products - ointments, aerosols and burn creams. Before lubricating a sunburn, it is very important to make sure that the skin is intact and in no case open the blisters.

1. in aerosol form (spray) - well relieves inflammation of the skin, covering it with a specific protective film.
2. , 0, 05 or 1% depending on the age of the victim and the degree of damage to the epidermis.
3. With erosive lesions after bursting blisters, Dermazin or helps.
4. or - these funds help not only to anesthetize, but also to remove puffiness, which is sometimes very pronounced.
5. in the form of an ointment or cream, antimicrobial, analgesic and regenerating drug.
6. Cooling gels containing menthol and anesthetics.

These medications will help relieve your symptoms, and after a few days, sunburn will no longer bother you.

For many, many, sunbathing has brought short minutes of pleasure and long hours (or even days) of suffering. And the reason for this is sunburn. I think that information about how to treat a sunburn will not be superfluous to anyone.

Every time after sunburn, we vow to be more careful when in contact with the sun's rays. But, unfortunately, few of us do not get repeated sunburns.

The nose and shoulders burn almost everyone. In some particularly sensitive people, the arms and thighs "grab". And you can absolutely sympathize with those who have burned their chest and stomach - the skin here is especially delicate and sensitive, and therefore it is much more difficult to treat a sunburn.

How to treat sunburn and how to relieve pain

If you got an uncomplicated sunburn, when there is only local reddening of the skin, accompanied by pain and fever, then these recipes are for you.

How to properly cool the skin with a sunburn

Treatment should begin in order to stop the development of the thermal process in skin cells. To do this, the burnt place must be thoroughly cooled.

Take a cold shower. After a shower, the skin must be dried. In order not to cause additional pain to yourself, thoroughly pat your skin dry with a soft towel that absorbs moisture well.

If it is not possible to stand under the shower, cover the burnt skin with gauze or any other light cloth soaked in cold water. If your shoulders are burned, you can wear a wet shirt or T-shirt with sleeves. Wait for the makeshift compress to dry on the body. This will ease the pain.

Advice: In some recipes, for a faster skin cooling effect, it is recommended to add a little vinegar to the water. Do not do this! Vinegar leads to even more irritation of already inflamed skin.

Home remedies have long been used to help with sunburned skin. They are always at hand, and most importantly, they are able to give quick relief.

Natural yogurt relieves inflammation in sunburn

It is quite possible for everyone to cook at home. Soak a soft cloth in yogurt and apply it to the sunburned area. Leave until dry. This will take a little time, because the temperature of the skin is elevated. Then rinse your skin with cool water and pat dry with a soft cloth. Repeat if necessary.

Cucumber cools the skin when sunburned

The use of cucumber juice has a good effect. Fresh cucumber is cut into thin, almost transparent slices and applied to places affected by sunburn. After 10-15 minutes, they should be removed so as not to overdry the skin. Cucumber cools and nourishes the skin, prevents inflammation.

Drinking soda prevents infection of sunburnt skin

For affected areas of the skin, do cool baths with the addition of baking soda. You can fill the bathtub with cool water and dissolve 1 to 2 cups of baking soda in it. Immerse yourself in the bath for 30 minutes. Drinking soda will avoid infection on the affected areas of the skin and prevent further irritation.

Aloe will soothe and prevent damage to the skin in case of burns.

Use peeled homemade aloe pulp or pharmacy products containing aloe vera, such as aloe liniment. Aloe vera has a strong healing and soothing effect, and also prevents cracking of the skin.

Green tea soothes burnt skin

Brew a mug of green tea, preferably with chamomile. After cooling, soak a soft cloth liberally in the tea and apply it to the reddened skin. The tannin contained in the tea soothes the skin and prevents further damage.

Potatoes will relieve redness after a sunburn

Wash two potatoes well, peel them, chop them in a blender or grate on a fine grater. Apply potato pulp to reddened skin. After drying, rinse with cool water.

Oatmeal to soothe sunburned skin

Boil a bag of oatmeal. Cool down. You can temporarily place the bag in the refrigerator for this. Apply to reddened areas of the skin. Oatmeal has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. This makes it one of the most popular natural ingredients in various skin care products.

Corn starch takes away heat from sunburn

Make a paste of cornstarch and water, apply to skin and let dry. Alternatively, fill a tub with cool water and dissolve 1 cup of starch in it. Immerse yourself in the bath for 30 minutes.

Advice : I would like to caution you against using any oils to relieve the pain of a burn. The oil closes the pores and promotes the development of infection in the affected area of ​​the skin.

Dear readers! I know you have something to say about this. Share your sunburn treatment recipes. When you got a sunburn, what remedies were the best helpers for you?

If at the right time it flew out of memory than to treat a sunburn, then you can always resort to the help of these recommendations. For convenience, enter your e-mail (electronic address) once in the subscription form, and the necessary information will always be at hand - in your mailbox.

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