Sunburn is a type of skin damage that is caused by exposure to the UV (ultraviolet) radiation from the sun. It is a skin burn that is caused by too much exposure to sunlight or sunlamps. It mostly appears as red, painful, and sometimes itchy patches on the skin, which can begin to flake or peel within a week. It is a kind of light that is invisible, but it can lead to some serious damage to the skin or skin cells.
UV radiation can cause long-term damage to the skin cells, and repeated exposure to the sun can lead to other issues in the body like wrinkles, dark spots, and skin cancer.
Do you know that up to 80% of the sun’s UV radiation can still reach the earth’s surface, putting individuals at risk for sunburns during cloudy or overcast days? UV radiation can also reflect off surfaces such as water, sand, and snow, and it can increase the risk of sunburns. It is important to hide yourself from the sun if you want to save your skin or skin cells.
Here are some tips to treat and avoid sunburn:
1. Sunscreen is a must.
If you are going out in the sun or going outside from your house during the day, it is very important to apply sunscreen that has at least SPF 30+ and PA++++.
And don’t forget to apply it to your face and to your whole body. Suncrean has a SPF+ that offers broad-spectrum protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
2. Wear clothes with protection.
Wearing clothes that have full coverage for your body so that your body is protected from harmful sunrays. Wearing protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, and hats can greatly reduce the risk of getting sunburned. And tightly woven fabrics can provide better protection from the sun’s harmful rays.
3. Say no to tight clothes.
Tight clothing can irritate sunburned skin and make your pain worse. Wear loose-fitting clothes or lightweight clothes that allow your skin to breathe, so it won’t be uncomfortable for your skin to burn.
4. Use aloe vera.
Aloe vera gel has its own benefits. It has a healing effect, and it can help heal or soothe your sunburned skin. So it’s better to apply a thin layer of aloe vera gel to the affected area multiple times a day.
5. Can take anti-inflammatory medications
Some medicines or over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen or aspirin can help reduce the burning sensation and relieve pain that is caused by sunburn.
6. Hydration is very important.
Hydration is very important if you want to save yourself from getting caught in the sun. So drink plenty of water so that it can help keep your skin hydrated and reduce the risk of getting sunburned. One must avoid dehydrating beverages like alcohol, soda, coffee, tea, etc. These drinks should be avoided because they dehydrate you. So drinking plenty of water is a must, and during the summer season, double your water intake.
7. Cool compress If you get caught in the sun and get sunburn, you can use cool compresses or take a cool shower or bath to help soothe the affected skin. And say no to hot water baths; they can irritate the skin or lead to a reverse effect instead of skin healing.
8. Try to avoid peak sun hours.
Give attention to peak sun hours and try to avoid going out during these peak sun hours, which are between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
So during the summer season, it would be much better if you kept yourself inside the house and did not try to avoid these hours. And if you are outside your house, you can seek shade under trees, use umbrellas, or do other things that can protect you from getting caught by the harmful sunrays.
9. Seek medical attention.
If you get a serious sunburn, fever, chills, or other signs of heat exhaustion, you should seek medical attention right away. Take sunburn seriously. Severe sunburn can also cause dehydration, blistering, or even infection, so try not to avoid these symptoms of sunburn.
So these were the tips to avoid and treat sunburn, and by following these tips, one can save himself from getting sunburn or getting some serious long-term diseases.
Rashmi Rana is pursuing Masters in Journalism – Mass Media. She is a student with a strong communication and content writing skills. Rashmi is currently working as a journalist at The Shining Media.
