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Sunburnt? Here’s what to do

From that painful first shower to the days of peeling, here’s how to treat sunburn.

18 December 2017
By Delia du Toit

You might think your wrinkles are due to your stressful job or omitting to apply night cream. But 80% of skin damage is, in fact, caused by the sun, says dermatologist Dr Marianne Duvenage. That means the best anti-ageing cream you could use – never mind the best prevention for sun-induced cancers – is sunscreen. But if you’ve slipped up, here’s help:

After a day in the sun

When you get sunburnt, your skin turns red, is tingly and hurts. A few days later, it will start to peel and itch as your body tries to rid itself of sun-damaged cells.

Here’s how to ease the burn:

  • Apply a cold compress or take a cool bath.
  • Gently apply a cream or gel containing ingredients such as menthol, camphor and aloe. Even better: refrigerate the cream to enhance its cooling effect. 
  • Use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen to relieve swelling and pain.
  • Drink lots of water to avoid dehydration.
  • Stay out of the sun until your sunburn heals.
  • When you do go out in the sun again, be mindful of applying sunblock regularly.

Serious burns

In warm climates such as ours, you can develop a pretty serious burn within just 15 minutes of exposure – but you’ll only start feeling the symptoms much later. Certain medications, including  antibiotics, antidepressants, diuretics, heart drugs, birth control or acne medication, may cause your skin to be even more sun sensitive.

A serious burn might require medical attention. See a doctor if you experience:

  • Fever or chills;
  • Nausea;
  • Dizziness, headaches or faintness;
  • Severe pain, tingling or swelling;
  • Blisters on 20% or more of your body;
  • A dry mouth, thirst and reduced urination.

Sun care how-to

Follow these tips from Dr Duvenage to stay safe in the sun and prevent sunburn:

  • This is non-negotiable: wear sunscreen daily. Even on cloudy days, up to 80% the sun’s rays can penetrate your skin.
  • Apply sunscreen to dry skin 15 minutes before going outdoors. Reapply every two hours, or after swimming or sweating. Make sure your sunscreen blocks both UVA and UVB rays.
  • If you’re in a bathing suit, you need to apply about a shot glass-full of sunscreen.
  • For children, use suncreen formulations specifically designed for their young skin. 
  • Hats and clothing are impenetrable barriers, while sunscreens aren’t. Choose fabrics with a tighter weave – if you can see through the fabric, the sun can too.
  • It is best to avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is harshest.
  • Babies under 6 months should not be exposed to direct sunlight, except for very short periods.
  • Remember to also protect your eyes with sunglasses.

IMAGE CREDIT: Getty Images