Sunburn: How It Feels Like And How To Treat It

Sunburn happens when the skin becomes red, painful, and hot to the touch. It usually develops after a few hours of spending too much time in the sun, particularly when you don’t have protection from the sunrays, like sunscreen. 

Simple self-care techniques like taking painkillers and chilling the skin help ease sunburn symptoms. However, it may take days for the sunburn to go away. Learn more about sunburn here. 

What Sunburn Looks And Feels Like: Symptoms

Sunburn is the skin’s reaction to ultraviolet (UV) light damage, and its symptoms can range from redness, caused by the body sending blood to tiny veins close to the skin, to peeling.

Most think that you can only get sunburn when you spend hours exposed to the harsh heat of the sun. However, people can get sunburned, too, on cloudy days.

Sunburn symptoms can include: 

+ On white skin, inflamed skin appears pink or red; however, it may be more difficult to discern on brown or black skin.

+ The sensation of hot or heated skin

+ Itching, discomfort, and pain

+ Swelling

+ Tiny, potentially breakable blisters packed with fluid

+ If the sunburn is severe, headache, fever, nausea, and exhaustion may occur.

+ Eyes that are dusty or hurt

Any exposed body part, including the lips, scalp, and earlobes, might burn. If, for instance, clothing has a loose weave that allows ultraviolet (UV) light to pass through, even covered regions may burn. The eyes, which are particularly susceptible to the sun’s UV light, may also burn.

After exposure to the sun, sunburn symptoms frequently emerge within a few hours.

A bad sunburn may take many days to recover. Any lasting changes in skin color normally disappear with time, and after a few days the body may begin to heal itself by peeling the top layer of the injured skin. 

According to reports, severe sunburns may even cause dehydration, which may trigger shock. 

Home Remedies And Treatment For Sunburn

As painful and inconvenient having a sunburn is, there are numerous items around the house that may be used to soothe the burning, stinging, and peeling that occur with sun damage.

Continue reading to discover how to treat and soothe your skin at home.

Dipping in the water and taking a bath

An effective way to treat sunburn right away, even if you’re still outside, is to jump in the water. Whether it’s an ocean, lake, or stream, dipping in and out of the water throughout the day can help prevent sunburn from getting worse. Be cautious of pools, however, as chlorinated water can irritate the skin more. You should also avoid directly applying ice, even if it can be helpful in relieving the pain.

Taking a bath to cool and relax your skin is another option.

Aloe vera

If you don’t already have an aloe vera plant in your home, consider having one. This succulent plant’s gel has been used for generations to treat various ailments, and it’s also the most widely available over-the-counter treatment for sunburns.

The sting of a mild sunburn is instantly soothed by breaking off a piece of the plant and putting the gel straight to the skin. Try a 100% pure aloe vera gel (not an aloe-based lotion or ointment) if you can’t get your hands on a plant. You can get these gels at most pharmacies.

Dress comfortably

Wear clothing that doesn’t stick to your skin while your skin is healing. Your skin is the largest organ in your body, so it’s best to give it some breathing room as it recovers from a traumatic event like sunburn. Natural fibers, like cotton or bamboo, make for the best post-sunburn coverings.

Drink lots of water

If you aren’t already drinking the usually-recommended eight glasses of water each day, a bad sunburn should convince you to start. As your skin fights the effects of the sun’s rays, it requires the moisture it lost during your time in the sun.

Moisturize

After the initial treatment, your skin will still require some tender loving care. Regularly applying moisturizer to the affected areas is one of the most crucial things you can do to prevent skin from peeling, or at least keep it to a minimum. Use scent- and dye-free moisturizer (marketed for “sensitive skin”) to keep skin irritation to a minimum. For the best moisturizer, please talk to your doctor. 

Key Takeaways

Remain hydrated, stay cool, and if the sunburn is too severe, go to the doctor for the appropriate treatment. You should also make sure to cover up the next time you go outside to prevent your sunburn from being exposed to any more sun. If you develop a fever from a sunburn or are displaying indications of dehydration, consult a doctor.

Always keep in mind that prevention is better than cure. Prevent sunburn by shielding skin from the sun by remaining in the shade during the warmest portion of the day, applying sunscreen, and wearing protective clothes.