Sunburn Relief for You and Your Tween

Source: Tween Parent Staff

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Virtually everyone knows it makes sense to wear sunscreen, but sometimes we miss a spot, or worse, forget to put it on. Or, we don't reapply sunscreen as often as we should. On top of that, as our preteens continue to want to express their burgeoning independence, they often tune us out when we begin to chant the "don't forget the sunscreen" speech!  Whatever the case may be, most of us have experienced the need, at one time or another, to relieve the pain of sunburn.

Although it can take between 12 and 24 hours after sun exposure to fully assess the severity of the burn, unfortunately, there's no quick-cure sunburn treatment. Once you have it, the damage is done. But, while your skin begins to heal, there are a number of remedies to help minimize discomfort.

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, especially water.
• Take a cool (not cold) bath, or gently apply cool, wet compresses to the skin to help alleviate pain and heat.
• Make an effort to engage in inside activities and shady activities until the sunburn is healed. Any additional sun exposure will only increase the severity of the burn.
• Apply pure aloe vera gel (available in most pharmacies or taken directly from within the leaves of the plant) to any sunburned areas. It's excellent for relieving sunburn pain and helping skin heal quicker.
• Consider a pain reliever like acetaminophen or ibuprofen (an anti-inflamatory) and spray-on over-the-counter "after-sun" pain relievers.
• Apply topical moisturizing cream (with no perfume) to re-hydrate the skin and help reduce swelling. For the most severely burned areas, apply a thin layer of 1% hydrocortisone cream. Don't use petroleum-based products, because they prevent excess heat and sweat from escaping. Also, avoid first-aid products that contain benzocaine, which may cause skin irritation or allergy.
• If blisters form, don't break them (this will slow the healing process and possibly cause infection). If you need to cover blisters because of clothing rubbing against them, apply a loose bandage.
• Be gentle with peeling skin; it's simply your body's way of getting rid of the top layer of damaged skin.

In medical terms, sun poisoning and sunburn are both referred to as photodermatitis, your skin's allergic reaction to overexposure to the sun. Consult a doctor or seek medical assistance for sunburn treatment if:

• Severe sunburn covers a large portion of your body with blisters.
• Sunburn is accompanied by a high fever, nausea, dizziness or severe pain.
• Severe sunburn doesn't begin to improve within a few days.
  

In more serious cases, a doctor can prescribe an oral steroid to reduce inflammation or administer IV fluids to restore hydration.

To prevent future episodes of sunburn, use sunscreen frequently and liberally. Cover up while you're outdoors, and stay in the shade as much as possible. And avoid medications that have been shown to cause an increase in photosensitivity (heightened sensitivity to the sun). Taking tetracycline antibiotics, certain anti-depressants and acne medications, and St. John's Wort can all increase the occurrence of photosensitivity.

Be a good role model by wearing sunscreen and limiting your time in the sun, which not only reduces your risk of sun damage, but teaches your kids good sun sense.

For additional information related to sun care:

Sunburn Relief Home Remedies

For additional information about skin care and your tween, check out this other article on tweenparent.com:

Don't Let Your Tween Forget the Sunscreen!

In Case You'd Like Some More Sun Facts...

Sunlight contains three types of ultraviolet rays:

• UVA, the "aging rays", which pass easily through the ozone layer (the protective layer of atmosphere that surrounds the earth) and also pass through window glass, penetrate deeper into the skin, and cause skin aging, suppression of the immune system (which helps protect against the development and spread of skin cancer). UVA rays make up the majority of our sun exposure.

• UVB, the "burning rays", are also dangerous, causing sunburns, cataracts (clouding of the eye lens), and immune system damage. They also contribute to skin cancer. Melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, is thought to be associated with severe UVB sunburns that occur before the age of 20. Most UVB rays are absorbed by the ozone layer (and blocked by window glass), but enough of these rays pass through to cause serious damage.

• UVC rays are the most dangerous, but fortunately, these rays are currently blocked by the ozone layer and don't reach the earth.

Who's Most At Risk for a Sunburn?

UV rays react with a chemical called melanin that's found in skin. Melanin is the first defense against the sun because it absorbs dangerous UV rays before they do serious skin damage. Melanin is found in different concentrations and colors, resulting in different skin colors. The lighter a person's natural skin color, the less melanin it has to absorb UV and protect itself. The darker a person's natural skin color, the more melanin it has to protect itself. The natural melanin in your body, the chemical responsible for your skin color, will only protect you to a point. Anyone, regardless of their natural skin protection, can damage their skin -- so everyone should make daily protection a habit.

The risk of damage increases with the amount and intensity of exposure. Those who are chronically exposed to the sun, such as farmers, boaters, and sunbathers, are at much greater risk. A sunburn develops when the amount of UV exposure is greater than what can be protected against by the skin's melanin.

A tan does somewhat protect the body from the sun, BUT a tan over white skin acts only as about an SPF 4 sunscreen!