Sunburn: Prevention and treatment

Sunburn is usually a first-degree burn that involves the outer surface of the skin.
It is painful but can usually be treated at home unless they are extensive.
Severe sunburns can be serious in infants, small children and older adults.
Repeated sun exposure and sunburns increase your risk for skin cancer.

PREVENTION:

If you are going to be outdoors for more than 15 minutes, take the following precautions:

• Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting, long-sleeved clothes, and a broad-brimmed hat to shade your face.
• Wear sunglasses that provide ultraviolet protection.
• Use a sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Sunscreens labelled “broad spectrum” can protect the skin from the two types of harmful sun rays (UVA and UVB).
• Apply the sunscreen at least 30 minutes before you will be exposed to the sun.
• Re-apply sunscreen every two to three hours while in the sun and more often if you are swimming or sweating.
• Older adults have sensitive skin and should always use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
• Drink lots of water. Sweating helps cool the skin.
• Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the rays are strongest. Seek shade whenever possible.

DON’T FORGET THE KIDS!

Sun exposure may be very hard on their tender skin.
Teach your young children safe sun habits (hats and sunscreen) early.
Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to protect babies’ and children’s very sensitive skin.
Keep babies younger than six months out of the sun.

AFTER THE SUNBURN

Drink plenty of water and watch for signs of dehydration.
Cool baths or compresses can be very soothing. Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain. (Don’t give Aspirin to anyone younger than 20, because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome).
A mild fever and headache can accompany sunburn. Lie down in a cool, quiet room to relieve headache.
There is nothing you can do to prevent peeling; it is part of the healing process. Lotion can help relieve itching.

SEEK A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL IF:

• You develop signs of heatstroke (red, hot, dry skin; confusion)
• If symptoms of heat exhaustion (dizziness, nausea, headache) persist after you cooled off.
• If you have severe blistering (over 50% of the affected body part) or severe pain with fever or if you feel very ill.
• If you have a fever of 38.8 Centigrade or higher.