Ooo…Sunburn!
Written by Dr. Pia Boben Fenimore
Q: I cannot ask this question in person because I am embarrassed this happens, and I know that my children need to wear sunscreen. Every year, despite careful efforts to use sunscreen, one of my 3 fair-skinned kids gets a bad sunburn. What is the best way to treat a sunburn?
A: You are certainly not alone. Many times I have wished that they would invent some kind of "sunscreen dip" that I could just immerse my child in at the beginning of the summer and then forget about it. There seems to always be a spot you miss, or a time that you forget.
Children who have fair skin, freckles, light eyes, and blonde or red hair have an increased susceptibility to sunburn. Photodamage to DNA of skin cells triggers an immune response which creates the body's response to the burn. Symptoms can begin 30 minutes to 24 hours after sun exposure. Redness peaks at 12-24 hours, and is typically gone in 72 hours. Many symptoms accompany the redness including pain, swelling, blistering, and increased sensitivity to heat. Blistering indicates that the burn has gotten into the deeper layers of skin. If headache, fever, vomiting or other systemic symptoms develop this could be a sign of heat stroke and needs immediate medical attention. Certain medications like antibiotics can make you more sun sensitive and may lead to a more severe sunburn.
Sunburns will resolve over the course of 3-4 days. Treatments are aimed at controlling symptoms, specifically pain. Cool compresses are useful to alleviate the sting. Blisters should be allowed to rupture on their own and once they have done so should be cleaned with gentle soap and water. Watch blistered areas for any signs of infection. Since sunburn is an inflammatory reaction, NSAIDS like ibuprofen are helpful to make it feel better. Topical steroids like cortisone have not been shown to significantly decrease pain or swelling. Aloe vera based gels are good for cooling the skin, however you should avoid the ones that contain lidocaine as that can have unwanted side effects. Calamine lotion is another soothing topical treatment, it has been around for a very long time, is made from a zinc mixture, and is safe and effective.
There are many home remedies available on the internet and through the grapevine to help sun burn. Most of them are aimed at increasing the ph of the skin to allow for better healing and less irritation. Baking soda, raw potatoes, oatmeal are all natural ways to do this.
After a day or two many sunburns will peel. This is simply the body getting rid of the skin killed by the burn. Moisturizing will slow down, but not prevent, the peeling. Keeping the skin moisturized will also cut down on the itching associated with peeling.
Sunburn can affect a person's ability to self-cool so it is important that the child stay indoors and avoid further heat exposure until symptoms have resolved. Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water to allow for adequate blood flow to skin to increase healing.
One sunburn does not skin cancer make, but repeated burns do. Melanoma is the second most common form of cancer in young adults ages 15-20. End of lecture.
