SUNBURN

 

Symptoms | When to call | Homecare Advice

 

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR MILD SUNBURN

  1. Ibuprofen for Pain: For pain relief, begin taking ibuprofen (e.g. Advil, Motrin) as soon as possible. Adult dosage is 400 mg every 6 hours.  If anti-inflammatory agents such as ibuprofen are begun within 6 hours of sun exposure and continued for 2 days, they can greatly reduce your discomfort. If you can't take ibuprofen, use acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) instead.
    • Do not take ibuprofen if you have stomach problems, kidney disease, are pregnant, or have been told by your doctor to avoid this type of anti-inflammatory drug. Do not take ibuprofen for more than 7 days without consulting your doctor.
    • Do not take acetaminophen if you have liver disease.
    • Read the package instructions thoroughly on all medications that you take.
  2. Steroid Cream: Apply 1% hydrocortisone cream ASAP and then three times a day. If used early and continued for 2 days, it may reduce swelling and pain.  If you don't have any, use a moisturizing cream until you can get some. Read the package instructions thoroughly on all medications that you use.
  3. Cool Baths: Apply cool compresses to the burned area several times a day to reduce pain and burning. For larger sunburns, give cool baths for 10 minutes (caution: avoid any chill). Add 2 oz. baking soda per tub. Avoid soap on the sunburn.
  4. Extra Fluids: Drink extra water on the first day to replace the fluids lost into the sunburn and to prevent dehydration and dizziness.
  5. Broken Blisters:
    • For broken blisters, trim off the dead skin with a fine scissors. (Reason: these hidden pockets can become a breeding ground for infection.)
    • Apply antibiotic ointment (e.g. Bacitracin) to the raw skin under broken blisters. Reapply twice daily for 3 days.
    • Caution: leave intact blisters alone. (Reason: the intact blister protects the skin and allows it to heal.)
  6. Expected Course: Pain usually stops after 2 or 3 days.  Skin flaking and peeling usually occur 5-7 days after the sunburn.
  7. Prevention - Reduce Sun Exposure: Try to avoid all sun exposure between 10 am and 3 pm. When you are outdoors, use a hat with a wide brim and cotton clothing with long sleeves.
  8. Prevention - Use Sunscreen:
    • Apply sunscreen to areas that can't be protected by clothing. Generally, an adult needs about 1 oz of sunscreen lotion to cover the entire body.
    • You should reapply the sunscreen every 2-4 hours. You should also reapply after swimming, exercising, or sweating.
    • A sunscreen with a rating of SPF 15 to 30 should be used. Sunscreens with ratings higher than 30 provide minimal additional protection.
    • Sunscreens help prevent sunburn, but do not completely prevent skin damage. Thus, sun exposure can still increase your risk of skin aging and skin cancer.
  9. Vitamins C and E: Vitamins C and E have anti-oxidant properties, which means they help prevent sun damage to cells in your skin. Taking vitamins C and E by mouth may partially reduce the sunburn reaction.
    • The adult dosage of vitamin C (ascorbic acid): 2 grams by mouth once a day.
    • Adult dosage of vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopherol): 1000 IU by mouth once a day.
    • Caution: Prevention is the key. Remember to reduce sun exposure and use sunscreens.
    • Read the package instructions thoroughly on all medications that you take.
  10. Call Your Doctor If:
    • Pain becomes severe
    • Pain does not improve after 3 days
    • Sunburn looks infected
    • You become worse or develop any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Adult SelfCareNavigator. Copyright © 2000-2004 David Thompson, M.D. FACEP

Reviewed 8/2004

Revised 8/2003

See Other Topics:

View Anatomic Index of Topics