When Does a Sunburn Require Medical Attention?

When Does Sunburn Require Medical AttentionWhen you spend time outdoors, your skin can become sunburned within as little as 15 minutes. And, because the skin redness and discomfort that accompany sunburn sometimes take a few hours to appear, you might not even know that you’ve been burned. Therefore, you might remain in the sun and risk becoming severely sunburned.

If you’ve overexposed your skin to the sun, there are some simple steps you can take to help you feel better:

  • Get out of the sun at the first sign of skin redness or tingling
  • Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration
  • Take a cool bath or shower
  • Gently apply aloe vera gel or moisturizing lotion to the affected area
  • Place a cool, damp towel on your skin
  • Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to alleviate pain and swelling
  • When you must go back outside, completely cover the sunburned areas of your body
  • Allow peeling skin to heal on its own

You should seek medical attention if your sunburn:

  • Blisters and covers a large portion of your body (more than 20 percent)
  • Is accompanied by fever, chills, facial swelling, headache, nausea, or dizziness
  • Doesn’t improve within two to three days

After evaluating your sunburn, a physician might prescribe a corticosteroid cream or course of prednisone.

To help you better enjoy your time outside – and your time afterwards – here are some basic sun safety guidelines:

  • Choose a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher that is labeled “broad spectrum,” which means that it provides protection against both UVA and UVB rays from the sun
  • Apply at least one full ounce of sunscreen to your whole body at least 30 minutes prior to sun exposure, and reapply after swimming or sweating, and at least every two to three hours
  • Use lip balm with SPF 15 or higher
  • Limit your time outside between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., when the ultraviolet light from the sun is most intense
  • Wear sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, and loose-fitting, tightly-woven clothing
  • Seek shade whenever possible
  • Remember that water, sand, and snow can intensify the effects of the sun

Sunburn hurts. It also looks bad. And, even though it might seem like a temporary condition, sunburn – as well as the cumulative effects of tanning – can cause lasting damage to the skin, increasing the risk of developing both wrinkles and skin cancer. While skin cancers like melanoma, squamous cell, and basal cell are very common, it’s important to note that they are also very preventable. Your best defense against both skin cancer and the signs of premature aging is to protect yourself from sun exposure.

For further information, including how to soothe a sunburn on a child, please feel free to contact or visit the South Tampa Immediate Care walk-in clinic.