Sunburn: tips to relieve it and better endure it
A lack of vigilance is enough to catch a sunburn that could ruin a good part of the vacation. How to relieve and soothe a burn due to UVB? Dermatologist Dr. Elisabeth Berrissoul responds.
Summary
- How to relieve sunburn
- Better support pain and accelerate healing
Sunburn is a skin burn caused by UVB rays. It manifests itself in particular when part of the body has been exposed to the sun without suitable protection. "You have to know how to recognize the different types of sunburn" says Dr. Elisabeth Berrissoul 1, dermatologist. The burn can be of three levels of increasing severity:
- The first degree burn, "it is the most frequently observed sunburn which occurs between 6 hours and 24 hours after sun exposure" . The skin is bright red, hot, and painful. "There is a slight edema of the skin which turns white when pressed with a finger";
- The superficial second degree burn, "it appears quickly after sun exposure. Blisters or blisters form on the red, hot and painful skin" ;
- The deep second degree burn "which reflects the destruction of the epidermis and the superficial dermis. Clear liquid blisters appear on a white skin" explains the specialist, "the pain is weak".
How to relieve sunburn?
It is possible to relieve this burning sensation in the event of sunburn on a small area. Here are Dr. Berrissoul's advice:
- Cool the burned area with tap water between 15 ° C and 25 ° C, or take a bath for at least 15 minutes until the pain is relieved;
- Then apply a soothing and healing cream to renew several times a day. The doctor mentions in particular "Cicalfate, Ialuset, Cicabio, Biafine or even aloe vera gel " . You can store the cream in the refrigerator for an even more soothing effect;
- Drink lots of water or non-alcoholic drinks;
- Take paracetamol for pain relief.
The specialist advises to monitor his temperature . She warns: "if you have a simple 'sunburn' but over a large area, that is to say on more than 10% of the body surface, or if you have a second degree burn superficial or deep, it is necessary to consult a doctor ” .
Better support pain and accelerate healing
Above all, Dr. Berrissoul recommends not to expose yourself to the sun on the following days :
"This would delay healing" . "This burn will gradually heal in a week, often going through a phase of desquamation, the skin peels" she informs. The ideal is therefore to moisturize the skin well and wear loose cotton clothing that is thick enough to cover the burns. Once the sunburn has completely healed, "we can expose ourselves again". Be careful, this time with an index 50+ screen cream "to be renewed every two hours, and avoiding the time slot from noon to 4 pm" .
Warning: " Sun protection is not limited to the choice of sunscreen. The most important thing is to apply certain rules of good behavior to enjoy the sun without suffering the harmful consequences for the skin" reminds Dr. Berrissoul .
Do not forget to apply a sunscreen of index 30 or 50 and this before exposure in sufficient quantity, "in principle 2 mg / cm2 of skin" . "A high protection factor does not allow you to be exposed all day! You must always repeat the applications every two hours and after bathing or in case of heavy perspiration" continues the specialist who advises prepharmacy creams which are tested according to strict rules allowing the protection index to be determined.
Note: do not reuse the tube of cream from last summer. " It was surely subjected to high temperatures especially during the journeys by car" . Its reliability is therefore not guaranteed.
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