About this topic
Sunburn makes the skin red, tender, and often swollen. It can also make the skin dry and sore to touch. A sunburn is caused by the skins reaction to ultraviolet rays from the sun. These are UV rays. They cannot be seen but can harm your skin and eyes. They may also cause skin cancer. Redness from sunburn shows up 3 to 5 hours after being in the sun. The redness is the worst 12 to 72 hours after and fades over the next 72 hours. ‚
Your skin is protected by something called melanin. How easily your skin will burn is based on the amount of melanin in your skin. It also depends on where you are, such as close to the equator or in the mountains. Sunburn can cause redness, pain, and blisters. Sunburns can lead to early aging, wrinkles, and skin cancer. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Avoid being out in the sun or outdoor activities until your skin is fully healed. Too much sun may make the problem worse.
- Remember, you can still get a sunburn on a cloudy day. The suns rays are reflected by sand, snow, cement, and water.
- Try taking a cool shower or bath to ease the burn. A cold cloth on your skin may also help ease the pain.
- Ask your doctor what products are safe to use to keep the skin moist.
- Do not pick or break blisters. Cover them with bandages.
- Do not peel your skin when it starts to dry, flake, and come off. This will make it worse.
- Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Fight an infection
Will physical activity be limited?
You may want to limit your movements because of pain. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of fluids each day. ‚
What problems could happen?
Being in the sun for a long time can cause heat stroke or heat exhaustion. The signs include fever, headache, confusion, nausea or throwing up, blurry vision, or fainting. Call your doctor if you get any of these signs. ‚
Too many sunburns may lead to skin cancer. ‚
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Some drugs can make you very sensitive to the sun. This may make it easier for you to burn. Talk to your doctor about the drugs you are taking.
- Use sunblock.
- Apply large amounts of sunblock. Make sure it has an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 30.
- Pay extra attention to your face, nose, ears, and shoulders.
- Apply sunblock 30 minutes before going out in the sun.
- Reapply after swimming or sweating and every 2 hours when outdoors.
- Use a lip balm with sunscreen.
- Many cosmetics, moisturizers, and lip balms contain sunscreen.
- Protect your skin and eyes.
- Wear sun hats.
- Wear sunglasses with UV protection.
- Wear loose, cotton long sleeve shirts and long pants.
- Avoid being in the sun between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher or chills.
- Pale, clammy, or cool skin
- Upset stomach, nausea, throwing up, feeling faint or dizzy
- Your eyes hurt and are sensitive to light, or you have blurry vision
- Very bad headache
- Confusion
- Your pulse is very fast
- You are very thirsty
- You cannot pass urine
- You have very painful blisters or they become infected
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how to care for my skin after a sunburn.
- I can tell you how to protect myself from another sunburn.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have an upset stomach, nausea, or am throwing up.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Dermatology ‚
http://www.aad.org/media-resources/stats-and-facts/prevention-and-care/sunscreens/sunscreens ‚
American Academy of Pediatrics ‚
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/bathing-skin-care/Pages/Baby-Sunburn-Prevention.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚